Executive Transition Fund
Executive
Transition
Fund
Overview
The Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI) funders recognize how destabilizing the departure of a long-tenured leader can be for an organization. The events of the past two years have magnified existing organizational leadership challenges in the sector and sparked a renewed commitment to achieving greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Seeing a unique moment of opportunity, the NSI launched its first Executive Transition cohort in 2021 and a second cohort in 2023. Past Cohort Participants included executive directors and board chairs from 13 organizations.
“The NSI executive transition cohort was absolutely priceless to me as an outgoing founder and to our organization as a whole. As a smaller social justice nonprofit, and beyong the grants, we gained an unexpected community of trusted peers facing transition in real time.
Gone were the usual feelings of isolation and secrecy, and we were able to operate with a level of transparency with each other, with ourselves, between board chair and executive director, that our transition became a catalyst for incredible organizational growth. It became healing and transformative instead of the opposite.”
Maisie ChinFounder, CADRE Gone were the usual feelings of isolation and secrecy, and we were able to operate with a level of transparency with each other, with ourselves, between board chair and executive director, that our transition became a catalyst for incredible organizational growth. It became healing and transformative instead of the opposite.”
“The opportunity to participate in the first NSI Executive Transition cohort was more than a blessing for A Place Called Home. The benefits our Board Chair and I got from the guest speakers, and particularly the peer support and sharing of stories and resources, informed and eased the arduous process of passing the leadership torch and, by extension, made it easier and better for our staff, stakeholders and funders.
It's time to life the veil and dissolve the stigma and secrecy around nonprofit leaders and organizations evolving to new chapters, and instead celebrate and support transparent processes that will sustain organizations' ongoing missions under new leadership, and the NSI initiative is making a great start.”
Jonathan ZeichnerCEO, A Place Called Home It's time to life the veil and dissolve the stigma and secrecy around nonprofit leaders and organizations evolving to new chapters, and instead celebrate and support transparent processes that will sustain organizations' ongoing missions under new leadership, and the NSI initiative is making a great start.”
“The NSI initiative was essential to the change of leadership that AABLI went through as an organization. The financial support was extremely important, but the knowledge we gained and shared proved to be invaluable in assisting us in all of the tasks that were necessary to a successful leadership transition.
There is more to a change of leadership than just hiring a new leader. There are issues with how or whether you involve staff in the process. There are issues concerning the involvement of the leaving CEO/Executive Director. The opportunity to discuss the myriad of issues and to learn from peers proved invaluable.”
Virgil RobertsCo-Founder and Board Chair, African American Board Leadership Institute There is more to a change of leadership than just hiring a new leader. There are issues with how or whether you involve staff in the process. There are issues concerning the involvement of the leaving CEO/Executive Director. The opportunity to discuss the myriad of issues and to learn from peers proved invaluable.”
“Working with the NSI has provided such an important resource for nonprofit leaders and board members to connect with peers during a critical organizational shift.
We have been able to approach our executive transition in a comprehensive and startegic manner, learn from others, and share our experiences along the way. We are so appreciative of the support and guidance to help build a sustainable future for the Center for the Pacific Asian Family.”
Mamie FunahashiBoard Chair, Center for the Pacific Asian Family We have been able to approach our executive transition in a comprehensive and startegic manner, learn from others, and share our experiences along the way. We are so appreciative of the support and guidance to help build a sustainable future for the Center for the Pacific Asian Family.”
“Being an NSI executive transition grantee and cohort member was the perfect experience for CADRE's bridge from co-founder to shared co-executive director leadership model. The opportunity and investment are invaluable!”
Nomsa Khalfani, PhDBoard Chair, CADRE
“Coping with change is difficult, even when it's a positive change. Having the funding from NSI, and the practical solutions and support of our peer group as we move through our transition at CNM, has been very timely and uniquely valuable for our Transition Committee and me.”
Regina BirdsellPresident and CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management
“Participation in NSI's Executive Transition Cohort was invaluable to the success of our board's mission-critical responsibility of selecting and onboarding our new ED. Their funding and support aligned with our need for a professional executive search firm, a consultant to strategize a smooth transition plan, and access to confidential alliances within the non-profit community.”
Barbara St. ThomasBoard Chair, Safe Place for Youth
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