EDI promotes its philosophy that community involvement is not an option for leaders, it is a fundamental responsibility and key leadership competency. Through the important mind set of giving back, participants experience the rewards of making a real-time impact to worthy causes through teamwork and innovative leadership.
Overview:
One element of the program that reinforces the learning around community involvement and team building is the completion of a community project for a non-profit agency whereby the participants can make a difference for a non-profit organization while practicing their skills in a safe learning environment. Participants also begin to learn about non-profit organizational structures and the differences and nuances of community-based organizations versus for-profit or bottom-line driven corporations.
Each program year EDI accepts project proposals from non-profit agencies to be considered for the team projects. Over the past 18 years, EDI participant teams have assisted 78 non-profit agencies and worked on over a 100 projects for these agencies.
Qualifications:
To be considered for a project, the non-profit agency must meet the following criteria:
- The non-profit agency is a charitable organization with an IRS 501(c)(3) designation.
- The non-profit agency mission serves people of color and/or those disadvantaged.
- The project scope is realistic and obtainable in a 5-month period of time as a volunteer commitment.
- Preferably, the project at the outset is flexible and somewhat undefined allowing participants to strategize and innovate.
- The non-profit agency commits one or more senior staff members, Board Directors and/or founder to act as the liaison between the agency and the EDI Project Team.
Submit a Proposal:
We are no longer accepting submittals for the 2012 program. Check back later in the year for 2013 applications.
2012 Non-Profits:
This year’s Leadership Discovery participants are working on projects for the following non-profit organizations.
Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon • Denise Louie Education Center • El Centro de la Raza • Japanese American Citizen’s League (Portland) • Kids Without Borders • Morning Star • Oregon Nikkei Endowment • Rainier Scholars • Ruby Room • South Seattle Education Coalition
2011 Community Projects
