Now accepting applications for our Sioux Falls 2026 Fall cohort.
Interested in joining us in Omaha in spring 2027? Let us know you’re interested, and we’ll notify you when registration opens!
*Participants must represent a verified 501(c)(3) organization.
Excellence in Leadership (EIL) for Non-Profits is a leadership program geared toward non-profit leaders who desire to build and/or enhance their leadership skills. We invite you to learn from our team in a small group setting as our way of giving back to the communities that we serve.
We share openly from our teams' experiences as the strategies, resources, and tools we have developed over the years have made a significant impact on the growth of our people, both as leaders and individuals. Here are some of the topics we cover:
Start with skills that make a difference.
Dedicated time for personal goal-setting and reflecting on how your personality impacts your leadership style.
Focus on giving and receiving feedback and leaning into tough conversations.
Learn about yourself, how you respond to conflict, what motivates you, what causes you stress, and how you solve problems. This session will focus on how you can leverage the information from your personal DISC assessment to develop stronger relationships.
Participants will be invited to complete a DISC assessment prior to the event. Results from your assessment will be shared with you during the DISC Download session. Information and invitations to complete the assessment will follow closer to the event.
Feedback is a key component to great leadership. Learn how to develop trusting feedback relationships to assist, support, confront, and encourage team members.
Some topics can be hard to navigate as a team. Learn about different issue processing models to get yourself traction in conversation and move in the right direction.
In Leadership Essentials, we dig into Leadership vs. Management. Both are important, but understanding when each is necessary is key to being an outstanding leader.
Using the SMART goal format, set goals for yourself to apply the topics discussed in Session One.
Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. We'll discuss this key component to leading your team well and encouraging idea generation.
Learn what the conversation ‘sweet spot’ is and how to get there when confronted with a tough conversation. Delivering corrective feedback is very different than giving/receiving general feedback. We’ll discuss how to navigate these difficult conversations while respecting the working relationship.
We keep cohorts intentionally small to encourage meaningful interaction and idea exchange among participants. While multiple leaders from the same organization may apply, participation is typically limited to 1–2 individuals per organization per cohort to maintain a strong group dynamic.
Upcoming Cohorts:
Applications are now open for our Fall 2026 cohort in Sioux Falls, SD, through August 31, 2026. Apply to be part of this training on October 22 and November 12 in Sioux Falls.
You can also sign up to be notified when our applications for the Spring 2027 cohort in Omaha, NE, open in February 2027.