LITTLE FALLS - The Initiative Foundation has been awarded a $200,000 Bush Foundation grant to create a Community of Leaders program in central Minnesota.
"We're beyond excited that the Bush Foundation has selected us for this Leadership Network grant," said Kathy Gaalswyk, president of the Initiative Foundation. "The Community of Leaders program complements our community development work by introducing training that amplifies and strengthens the leadership abilities of new and next-generation residents."
Central Minnesota is home to a diverse population base that has grown significantly over the past decade. The increase in diversity has been fueled by excellent education opportunities and quality employment and technological innovations, making it possible for a variety of cultures and ethnicities to thrive in our communities. The region also has a strong demographic in the 18- to 35-year-old range that is ready for leadership opportunities.
The overarching goal of the Community of Leaders program is to bring together a cross-section of our communities, creating connections to existing leaders while building a culturally agile bridge for the next generation of leaders. Through customized, strengths-based leadership training, the Community of Leaders program will forge relationships across social, political and professional networks. More than 100 emerging leaders will then have an opportunity to apply their training within their respective communities.
"We see an opportunity to advance central Minnesota as a destination of choice for skilled workers and young families, regardless of color or ethnic origin," said Don Hickman, the Initiative Foundation's vice president for community and economic development. "We believe the Community of Leaders program hits the mark and will help us to create inclusive regional leadership and business opportunities."
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G. Bryan Fleming, the Bush Foundation's leadership programs director, said its Leadership Network grants will ensure leaders have more options to discover and develop the skills and support they need to become more effective leaders. "We hope to be great learning partners with the Initiative Foundation and the other grantees on key challenges, including how to build the cultural agility of leaders, ensure excellent leadership development programming, evaluate leadership work, and better support and connect with their alumni and our own."
