2025-2026 Deputy Director Learning Circle Application

Thank you for your interest in the 2025-2026 Deputy Director Learning Circle offered by the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of Rhode Island.

We appreciate your commitment to growth, both as an individual and as a leader of your organization.

The Deputy Director Learning Circle is an interactive, cohort-based program designed to provide support, resources and peer learning for leaders of nonprofit organizations with budgets less than $5 million. The new cohort will start on August 8, 2025 and will meet every second Friday of the month from 8:30-11:30am, through June 2026, at United Way of Rhode Island (50 Valley Street, Providence).

Each session includes competency topics, group discussions, and practical scenario sharing. Participants gain real-life experience and explore a variety of topics, including:

  • Strategy development and implementation
  • Board development and engagement
  • Staffing and priority alignment
  • Comprehensive fund development
  • Risk management and emergency preparedness

Lead facilitator
Michael Fournier has provided consulting to grassroots nonprofits for more than a decade. His areas of expertise are capacity building and executive coaching. Before serving as a consultant, Michael spent 35 years with the YMCA. He held senior leadership roles in Manchester, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island.

Commitment and finances
Participants commit to some minor preparation before sessions.

There is no cost to take part in this program. Upon completion, each graduate’s organization will receive a grant of $1,500. The grant will go toward an organizational goal identified at the outset of the program.

Application process
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are now open and the deadline to apply is June 1, 2025.

If you have any questions about the DDLC or application process, please email us at alliance@unitedwayri.org.
1.Name of Applicant
2.Email Address
3.Work Phone Number
4.Cell Phone Number
5.Do you identify as any of the following? Check all that apply.
6.Organization
7.Organization Address
8.Organization Website
9.Annual Budget
10.Number of Full Time Paid Staff
11.Number of Board Members
12.Brief Description of What Your Organization Does
13.How would you and your organization benefit by your participation in the DDLC? (More than 50 but less than 200 words)
14.In what areas of leadership do you feel you need to grow? How might the DDLC help you grow in these areas?
15.Why is this the right time for you to participate in the DDLC?
16.How would you assess your organization in the following areas?
Excellent
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Poor/Not Functioning Well
Don't Know/Not Applicable
Board/governance
Mission-related programs and services
Fundraising
Financial Management
Operations (HR, IT, facilities, etc.)
Marketing/communications
Strategic planning
Data and evaluation
Staff development/leadership development
Racial equity
Accessibility to people with a disability
Innovation
17.Outside of Strategy, Board Development, Fund Development, and Marketing and Communication, what other topics would you like to see covered in the DDLC?
18.We want to make sure that the DDLC is accessible to everyone who can benefit from it. Do you need any assistance or accommodations in order to participate?
19.Some participants may have transportation issues. If another participant lives near you, and you are driving your own car, would you be willing to give them a ride?
20.Is there anything else that we should know as we consider your application? Do you have any questions or need any additional information?