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Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute

Our Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI) has been recently redesigned with improved leadership and management tools to equip a diverse cohort of nonprofit leaders to take their organizations to the next level by reaching more or better serving their constituents. Participants in this cohort program will learn from subject matter experts and their peers in the nonprofit arena. The 10-session program will commence in December 2026 and conclude in October 2027.

This is what our participants are saying:

“I value connecting with others and NELI provided an excellent platform to connect with people who could relate to my concerns, hopes, and successes as a nonprofit leader. As fellow NELI classmates, we share information with each other and find ourselves attending the same functions. Additionally, connecting with speakers and consultants has helped to expand networks and opportunities.”
- Tonya

“Attending NELI has impacted my professional development in every way. While my circle has broadened, the greatest impact is how it has helped me look at each aspect of our organization with different lenses and empowered me to delve deeper into how we can continue to make improvements.”
- Jennifer

The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI) is our flagship leadership program, redesigned to offer even stronger tools for effective management and organizational health. One of our top priorities is building a diverse group of leaders who are ready to grow, connect, and lead with impact. The 2026 cohort represented a wide range of ages, backgrounds, missions, and geographies.
Each month, participants will hear from subject matter experts and dive into meaningful conversations with their peers over lunch. It’s a space for nonprofit leaders to learn, reflect, and put new ideas into action. The program is ideal for executive directors with 1–5 years of experience, and we also reserve a few spots for senior staff who are preparing to step into ED roles. The program concludes with each participant developing an Organizational Improvement Plan. Past graduates have reported significant outcomes, including raising an additional $30,000 in major donor fundraising, creating a $750K endowment, cultivating a stronger team culture, drafting new strategic plans, and forming strategic alliances with other nonprofits.
We are looking for leaders who are creating programs that are inclusive, responsive, and rooted in the values of compassion, accountability, and service.

The application period for the 2027 cohort closes October 31, 2026. 

(All dates for NELI are the 2nd Friday of the month December 2026 through October 2027 except July. Please see below for detailed information on each session.)

2027 NELI Application

WHY PARTICIPATE?

NELI fills educational gaps for rising nonprofit leaders. It helps them become a more knowledgeable manager of their organization, a competent designer of infrastructure, and a stronger leader in their community. NELI is where you take “how to” information and turn it into action. This program will help participants understand how to scale their organizations and, ultimately, improve their programmatic outcomes.

Participant Criteria

Position

  • Seasoned executive directors and CEOs who want to hone specific skills and mentor the cohort in other areas
  • New executive directors and CEOs who want to take things to the next level
  • Up-and-coming executive directors and CEOs
  • Program managers with similar responsibilities to the executive director and CEO

Budget Size

  • Small to mid-size organization with a budget of about $200,000 to about $1 million


Staffing Responsibilities

  • Manage a staff of at least 1-2 people or volunteer leadership of 10-12 people

Proven Track Record of Skills and Experience

  • We want to form a diverse cohort who will learn and grow from each other, sharing their
     skills and experience so we can create an exceptional team of learners.
Application Information

The application period closes October 31, 2026.

For more information about the application process, please contact Sarah Laurio, Director of Programs, at sarah@alabamanonprofits.org.

Program Costs

  • $1,200 ($120 per session)
  • Partial scholarships are available

Time Commitments

  • Attend monthly training sessions in Birmingham on the 2nd Friday of each month, December 2026 through October 2027. Session times are 8:15 AM – 1 PM.
  • Complete monthly homework assignments
  • Total time commitment is about 8 hours per month
Proposed 2027 NELI Schedule
December 11, 2026 Meet and Greet 
January 8, 2027 Organizational Health

Kevin Miller, Director of Research, Independent Sector

Chris Nanni, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Ryan Hankins, Executive Director, PARCA
February 12, 2027  Finance Steve Zimmerman, Principal, Spectrum Nonprofit Services, LLC
March 12, 2027 Marketing & Communications

Jake McKenzie, CEO Intermark Group 

Javacia Harris Bowser, Founder, See Jane Write
April 9, 2027  Fundraising

Nancy Rieves, Fundraising Maximized 

Susann Montgomery-Clark, President, Megan Montgomery Foundation 

Joan Wright, Executive Director, Childcare Resources 

Marta Self, Executive Director, Regions Foundation
May 14, 2027 Building Leadership Martha Anne Rich, Rich Potential
June 11, 2027 Advocacy

Vanna Cure, Independent Sector
July NO MEETING
August 13, 2027 Strategic Planning Christine Chen, Senior Consultant LaPiana Consulting
September 10, 2027 Building Alliances Christine Chen, Senior Consultant LaPiana Consulting
October 8, 2027 Graduation

The NELI application period closes October 31, 2026.

For more information about the application process, please contact Sarah Laurio, Director of Programs, at sarah@alabamanonprofits.org. 

Apply for NELI Today!
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