If
#WhyILovePhilly taught us anything, it’s that the city's young activists don’t lack enthusiasm.
Young Involved Philadelphia (YIP) is aiming to channel that energy by expanding their
Board Prep Program, a tool for training and developing the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Applications went live this week.
The program provides six weekly classes on topics including strategic planning, legal and ethical issues, fundraising, and financial management. Thanks to a recent $40,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, YIP added Lea Kleinman, a teacher at Harrity Elementary as director. They also plan to offer a second session of the program each year.
"More and more foundations are looking to fund organizations that are diverse," says Sophie Hwang, Vice-Chair for Outreach at YIP. "Philadelphia is at a point where it's really hungry for younger board members."
YIP acquired the Board Prep Program from Philadelphia's Young Nonprofit Leaders in 2010. The applicant pool has grown steadily since then, and last fall over 100 people applied for 30 spots. Hwang says successful candidates are often nonprofit employees or those with a strong interest in civic leadership.
"We’re framing the program so you can apply it in a board context," says Hwang, "but it definitely can help in your day to day operations."
At the end of the program, YIP holds a matching event where recent grads are paired with interested organizations. According to Hwang, those who complete the program almost always go on to serve on local boards.
Source: Sophie Hwang, Young Involved Philadelphia
Writer: Dana Henry