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Nonprofit Executive Institute (NEI) Application - Class 20 (2027)

The Nonprofit Executive Institute (NEI) is a leadership program designed to offer nonprofit leaders skills and strategies to enhance organizational sustainability and transform the communities they serve. This program focuses on capacity building seminars to develop ethical, innovative, prosperous, strategic, and visionary public leaders with specific learning objectives. A limited number of individuals will be chosen.

Please answer the questions carefully. While we don't prohibit the use of AI in your application, the committee wants to hear your authentic voice.

Application deadline is Monday, August 3, 2026.

Selection Criteria: Successful candidates have:
- Commitment to nonprofit community
- Long-term desire to serve the community
- Demonstrated professional growth and leadership

Tuition
$1,300 for NAM members
$2,600 for not-yet-NAM members
Payment options are available. Payment is due before the first session unless special arrangements are made.

2027 Program Schedule
Required Meeting Dates (Sessions are from 9:00a to 5:00p unless otherwise noted)
December 8, 2026: 8:30a – 10:00a (Class 20 Welcome Breakfast)
January 12, 2027
March 9, 2027
May 20, 2027 (Better & Stronger Together joint session with Leadership Omaha)
July 13, 2027
September 14, 2027
November 9, 2027
Discussion & Networking Lunches (11:30a to 1:00p - optional, highly encouraged)
February 9 2027
April 13, 2027
June 8, 2027
August 10, 2027
October 12, 2027

For more details on the Nonprofit Executive Institute, visit NAM's Website

Online applications via this form are due by close of business on August 3, 2026. Only one applicant per organization will be accepted.

Successful candidates will be recognized at the keynote luncheon of the Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands on November 12, 2026.
1.Applicant Information(Required.)
2.Pronouns
Optional, may be used on nametags
3.Executive Director or CEO's name and preferred contact information
If you are the ED or CEO, please provide your Board Chair's name and preferred contact information
4.Schedule Commitment: The NEI application process is competitive and the cohort is carefully selected. Your presence is planned for at each session. Attendance and full participation from 9:00 am – 5:00pm at each session is expected. Arriving late &/or leaving early is considered an absence. Please review the program dates prior to applying. We recommend placing a tentative hold on your calendar. Participants missing more than one session will be removed from the cohort and invited to reapply next year. Refunds will not be given.

Do you commit to attending all program days?
5.Have you applied for NEI in previous years?
6.What is your organization's annual budget?
7.What kind of service does your organization deliver?
Select all that apply:
8.OPTIONAL:  Please indicate which race/ethnicity you publicly self-identify as: (select all that apply)
9.OPTIONAL: Please indicate the gender identity you publicly self-identify as:
 
Definitions: 
Cisgender: (pronounced “sis-gender”) people whose gender identity and expression matches the gender they were assigned at birth
Transgender: people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth.
10.OPTIONAL: Please indicate the sexual orientation you publicly self-identify as:
11.OPTIONAL: Please indicate the disability status you publicly self-identify as:
12.OPTIONAL: Please indicate your age using the categories below:
13.Please select the geographic area(s) that best describe where your primary work takes place (choose all that apply):
14.Please list your organization’s board members, including their organization affiliations.
Link to organization website listing board is also allowed
15.Please provide a link to your LinkedIn Profile.
If you do not have a linked in profile, tips to create one can be found here:
How to Join LinkedIn
How to create a profile
Supplemental information provided outside of this application form (for example: a resume or personal statement) will not be accepted as a part of your application.
16.Share some examples of how you have grown in your career. Of what accomplishments are you most proud? (Max: 750 characters)
17.What's your perfect day when you're not at work? (Max: 750 characters)
18.Share a time you received critical feedback and how it changed your approach to work. (Max: 750 characters)
19.What is your vision for your professional future? Where do you see yourself in three to five years? How will NEI help you achieve your goals? (Max: 750 characters)
20.What current trends and emerging issues will impact your work in the next three to five years, either positively or negatively? (Max: 750 characters)
21.How do you invest in yourself? What other professional development experiences have you participated in? How do you stay current on emerging trends, best practices or other developments in your field? (Max: 750 characters)
22.What do you most value in this cohort experience? How are you going to show up and contribute to the culture? (Max: 750 characters)
23.Optional Just For Fun: Imagine you are accepting an award for Greatest Person Ever. What is your walk in music?