United Way seeks applicants for new nonprofit leadership development series

United Way of Rhode Island is launching a new leadership development series for staff of local nonprofits with annual budgets of $5 million and under and is currently accepting applications from interested participants. The no-cost program is the Deputy Director Learning Circle, and it was developed specifically to strengthen the competencies of nonprofit staff who aspire to become executive directors.

Those interested may apply online. The application deadline is Aug. 17.

“You cannot overstate the importance – or the impact – that nonprofits have on our communities and on the lives of our neighbors, particularly over these past few years,” said Roshni Darnal, United Way’s director of community investments. “And if we’re going to continue to rely on them in the future as we do today, it’s imperative that we support their staff and help them grow in every way possible, and that’s exactly what this program is intended to do.”

To help strengthen the competencies of nonprofit staff who aspire to become executive directors, the Deputy Director Learning Circle will focus on staff leadership, financial management, board development, strategic planning and marketing and communications.

It will begin in September and continue until June 2023, with cohort members meeting on the second Friday of each month at United Way’s Providence headquarters. Sessions may be held virtually, as needed.

The program will be led by Michael Fournier. Over the past seven years, Michael has provided volunteer consulting to numerous grassroots nonprofits in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, primarily in the areas of executive coaching and capacity building. Previously, he spent 35 years serving in senior leadership roles with YMCAs in Manchester, NH, and Providence, RI.