PHILADELPHIA – (April 16, 2014) – New Leaders Council, a national nonprofit that develops young leaders, will expand its training program to recruit and train change-makers in Philadelphia, and spark deeper community connections with $45,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Each spring New Leaders Council Philadelphia trains emerging leaders from all sectors of the local economy—including government, law, medicine, nonprofit and business—as a way to tackle community challenges and effect change. Through the New Leaders Council Institute, a five-month training program, fellows learn about local policy issues and build skills in entrepreneurship, communications, public speaking, finance, fundraising, and the use of technology and social media.

With Knight funding, New Leaders Council will continue expansion of the program in Philadelphia over the next three years and support networking opportunities with its nationwide community.

“The training and the network that is built through the New Leaders Council program are vital to the ever-changing nature of the community. The emerging leaders we train will have the network and skills to start a business or nonprofit and be more effective leaders in their jobs while having a civic-minded connection to the community,” said Kellan White, New Leaders Council Philadelphia chapter co-director and a 2013 Philadelphia fellow.

“Philadelphia has a growing community of young millennial talent but many of them do not have strong connections to the city,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Knight Foundation program director for Philadelphia. “By giving young people a chance to make a difference and build their leadership skills, New Leaders Council is strengthening talent retention in our city and creating the next generation of change-makers.”

Each New Leaders Council fellow completes two projects during the program: their individual Capstone, and the Fellows Fundraiser, which they work on with their peers. During the Capstone, fellows chart out a personal career plan and outline how they want to use the skills they obtain through the institute to benefit the community. Every fellow’s Capstone is examined and enhanced through peer review. Additionally, participants team up to help plan and implement a Fellows Fundraiser, which pays forward their experience by allowing them to give back to the community, and puts the skills they learn to immediate use.

“New Leaders Council Philadelphia has been an extraordinary member of our network,” said Chris Kelly, New Leaders Council chairman and a former Facebook executive. “Training the next generation to be active stakeholders and leaders in their communities is essential to the progression of society, and my hope is that when fellows come through the New Leaders Council Institute they are equipped with the skills to be innovative game changers in their local communities. The support and partnership of Knight Foundation in Philadelphia is key to making sure that we have civically minded leaders that can have a great impact on the community.”

New Leaders Council operates in 31 communities around the nation and will train over 600 emerging leaders this spring. The New Leaders Council Institute has trained more than 1,800 young people in the last six years.  For more information on New Leaders Council please visit www.newleaderscouncil.org.

About New Leaders Council

New Leaders Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing the leadership potential of young professionals in the early stages of their careers. Our fellows are already leaders in their respective fields – setting trends, managing organizations, and inspiring their communities every day.  The NLC Institute rigorously trains these talented, civically engaged individuals over a five-month period and gives them access to our network of experts, leaders, and mentors.  Powered by our local chapters, NLC currently operates in 31 communities, affecting the lives of countless people.  Our 1,800 alumni have gone on to be recognized by respected publications for their achievements, elected to leadership positions in state legislatures, run major nonprofits, and create change as innovative social entrepreneurs.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. www.knightfoundation.org

CONTACTS:

Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, Knight Foundation, 305-908-2677, [email protected]

Mark Riddle, Executive Director, New Leaders Council, 502-438-6290, [email protected]