Kansas Leadership Center Launching New Nonprofit Business Impact Series to Support Need for Executive Development

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) has partnered with local organizations to launch a new Nonprofit Business Impact Series on June 15 that’s designed to support the nonprofit ecosystem in the region by building capacity across organizations – from board members to emerging professionals.

“It’s our mission at KLC to improve the health of Kansas communities by inspiring and equipping people to do difficult work together, for the common good,” said Kaye Monk-Morgan, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center. “So, when we heard that high turnover among nonprofit executives raised looming concerns about the stability and sustainability of the Wichita-area nonprofit ecosystem, we developed the Nonprofit Business Impact Series. In partnership with other local organizations, this new program addresses the need for providing more support for nonprofit executives and their boards not just in Wichita, but in all Kansas communities.”

KLC surveyed more than 300 Kansas nonprofit executives with whom the organization has partnered over the years to identify where additional development was needed to make greater progress in addressing the challenges nonprofit organizations face. The most frequently identified areas for development included executive decision-making, conflict management, fund development, strategic planning, strategic communications, and how to remain adaptive and effective while leading from a position of authority.

These responses have shaped the Nonprofit Business Impact Series – an executive development series designed to grow skills, sharpen competencies, deepen connections and facilitate organizations’ long-term sustainability and collective impact. The series includes four connected experiences hosted by KLC, each designed for a different role within the nonprofit organization:

• Stewardship Summit: For nonprofit board members, this one-day experience focuses on governance, stewardship and collective impact.
• Luminary Lab: For nonprofit executives, this cohort-based experience combines retreats and coaching to support strategy, culture and change.
• KLC Path: For staff and volunteers, the KLC Path is a series of programs that builds shared language, innovation and leadership capacity across the organization.
• LEADNEXT: For early-career professionals, this one-day experience is designed to support civic engagement and future board service.

“Textron Aviation is committed to strengthening the leaders who drive impact in our communities,” said Stephanie Harder, vice president, Communications and Public Affairs at Textron Aviation. “This series invests in nonprofit leaders across Kansas, building the skills, connections and capacity needed to solve complex challenges and create lasting change.”

Participation in the Nonprofit Business Impact Series represents an investment of more than $10,000 in developing people across an organization. Thanks to philanthropic partners, participating organizations get access to the series at a cost of $2,500.

Textron Aviation and Fidelity Bank have each invested $25,000 in the program. Hoidale and United Way of the Plains have each invested $10,000. Thrive Restaurant Group has invested $5,000.

“The success of a city is best defined by its ability to care for those who are struggling and offer hope for a better tomorrow,” said Aaron Bastian, Fidelity Bank’s president and CEO. “In Wichita, we are lucky to have a wide array of non-profit organizations addressing serious challenges and delivering life-changing services. We rely on the leaders of these agencies to cast bold visions, collaborate and inspire their teams to make progress every single day. We are proud to partner with the Kansas Leadership Center to empower these leaders with the skills they need to make transformational change.”

To learn more about participating in the series or sponsorship opportunities, visit KansasLeadershipCenter.org/nonprofit-impact.

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About the Kansas Leadership Center

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit educational organization with a civic mission, national reputation and global reach. Founded in 2007 with core funding from the Kansas Health Foundation, KLC’s mission is to inspire and equip people, together, to do difficult things for the common good. KLC partners with other nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, philanthropies, and communities to build cultures that are mobilized to make progress on their toughest challenges and thrive. Its publications include leadership books available from Bard Press, Third Floor Research, an applied research center with the Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University, and The Journal, a nationally recognized, award-winning civic issues magazine.

Over the past 18 years, KLC has built a strong and respected institution in Kansas designed to deliver leadership development and culture change at unparalleled scale. Now, organizations across the country and around the world look to us to provide resources and consultation to support their own aspirations for mission-driven leadership education. Learn more at www.kansasleadershipcenter.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Carrie Lindeman
316-393-1076
carrie@lindemancollective.com