Center for Nonprofit Excellence

When John came to Charlottesville to begin a new career as the executive director of a local nonprofit, he was referred to Center for Nonprofit Excellence, a local resource center dedicated to strengthening nonprofits to realize the potential of our community.

John was interested in leadership development, so he applied to the Learning Circle program, a facilitated seven-month learning program that seeks to strengthen a new generation of leaders and to combat the burnout that is common in leadership positions.

John was able to join a group of 10 other members who met monthly for facilitated sessions in which participants completed tasks to discover their personal strengths and values, identify their support system, and create their own leadership development plan.

John found that as a new executive director to the area, the work of the group was incredibly healthy for him. He came to the first session with a clear issue, and then felt as if each session was almost entirely geared to the management challenges he was facing. He developed a trusted network of peers to call on for support, important for someone new to the area. At the end of the program he left with a well thought out plan for his leadership within his organization and was able to use that plan on a daily basis.

John recently reported to CNE “My Learning Circle group was there as my personal cheerleaders, confidants and network during what would most definitely win the ‘most challenging first 8 months on the job’ award if there was such a thing for new executive directors.”

Please support CNE to build a healthy nonprofit sector and a vibrant community through education and training, resource-sharing, and mentoring of nonprofits at all stages of development. To help the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, designate your gift to CVC #3385.

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