Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

New Leadership Program Offered to Nonprofit Executive Directors Application Deadline: December 1, 2011

October 25, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announces its new Nonprofit Leadership Institute (NLI) program, a year-long intensive for Executive Directors of area nonprofits. The program is sponsored by three of Berkshire Taconic’s endowed area funds: The Northwest Corner Fund, Northeast Dutchess Fund and South Berkshire County Fund.

Executive Directors who have been working for a minimum of three years at a nonprofit within Northwest Litchfield County CT, Northeast Dutchess County or South Berkshire County are encouraged to apply to the program. The NLI will help to build the leadership and management skills of Executive Directors through a collaborative, peer-learning program facilitated by Janet André Block, who has worked in various capacities with nonprofit organizations for the past 20 years.

“Our surveys of nonprofit CEO’s all indicate that they yearn for opportunities to connect with colleagues in a substantive way to trade ideas and learn together from real experiences,” said Jennifer Dowley, President of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. “We have designed the NLI to create just such an opportunity.”

Research shows that learning becomes transformative for organizations when it is sustained over time, involves dialogue with peers, presents opportunities to put theory into practice and focuses on real strategic issues.

To this point, a range of topics will be discussed including finance/budgeting; planning; fundraising and roles of board/staff. In addition, participants will identify key issues for themselves and their organizations in advance of the program, so the facilitator can tailor the lessons to key issues. Reading materials and written assignments will provide supplemental content. The program will provide 4 full-day meetings with the group of directors and facilitator, followed by a full day of individual consultation. The goal of the program is to build confidence, dexterity and skills across leadership and management issues, resulting in an increase in the organization’s productivity, sustainability and effectiveness.

Additional information on the program, including eligibility and selection criteria can be found online. Applications are due by December 1, 2011 and are available online. The program begins in the winter of 2012.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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