Leadership Development Grants Program
The Helen J. Serini Foundation is committed to investing in the human capital and professional leadership of our community's non-profits to ensure success today and into the future. In order to do so, this small grants program was launched specifically to provide leadership and/or professional development for key staff within your organization.
In 2018 and 2019, this program was co-funded by the Ausherman Family Foundation, making additional funding available for Frederick County nonprofits. The Ausherman Family Foundation recognizes the importance of capacity building, including leadership development in nonprofits, and is supporting this program in the spirit of collaboration.
In 2020, responding to community feedback in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued racial reckoning across the United States and in the communities we aim to serve, this funding was used to develop and host equity, diversity, and inclusion training programs for local non-profits and foundation grant partners at no cost to the participants.
In 2021 and beyond, Leadership Development Grants will be considered as part of our small grants program, rather than as a separate funding priority.
Organizations interested in specific funding for leadership development can learn more and apply via our Small Grants Program.
Photo credit: Sandis Helvigs | Source: Unsplash.com
Program Overview
Leadership Development grants are intended to support the leadership and/or professional development of key staff within your organization. This may include one-on-one trainings, conference registration fees, seminars, webinars, speaker series, coaching, and/or travel arrangements for any of the above.
The budget for this program was limited for 2018 and 2019, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible organizations. Unsolicited requests are encouraged and welcomed, provided the organization applying meets the foundation's eligibility criteria. Applicants may request up to $1,500 per applicant, totaling no more than $3,000 per organization. Applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the training opportunity identified, unless prior approval is obtained from Foundation staff for a later application. Applications will be review and decisions provided within three weeks; due to the foundation's limited staff resources, we cannot commit to decisions faster than this.
Other Funding Programs: