Deputy Director Learning Circle
United Way of Rhode Island invites individuals who work for nonprofit organizations with annual budgets of $5M and under, and serve in senior program/lead operational roles, to apply for our Deputy Director Learning Circle.
Program details
The Deputy Director Learning Circle strengthens the competencies of nonprofit staff who aspire to become executive directors. Core areas include staff leadership, financial management, board development, strategic planning, and marketing and communications.
The free program will run from August 2024 to June 2025. Participants will meet on the second Friday of each month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at United Way. (Classes may be held virtually as needed.)
Lead facilitator
Michael Fournier has provided consulting to grassroots nonprofits for almost 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.
Application process
The application deadline for the Deputy Director Learning Circle 2024 is June 21, 2024. For more information, please contact Roshni Darnal, director of community investments, at roshni.darnal@unitedwayri.org.
Executive Director Learning Circle
United Way of Rhode Island invites executive directors who lead nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $1 million to apply for our Executive Director Learning Circle.
The Executive Director Learning Circle centers on real-time situations facing participants. Issues might include strategy, board engagement, fund development, or a pending operational challenge. Key to the success of this process is that each organization is of similar size and capacity. Learning happens not only through the facilitator, but also from one another.
Since 2017, the Executive Director Learning Circle has supported 61 nonprofit leaders. This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors like you.
Program format
- Strategy development and implementation
- Board development and engagement
- Staffing and priority alignment
- Comprehensive fund development
- Risk management and emergency preparedness
An in-person or virtual format will depend on public health and United Way guidelines.
Lead facilitator
Michael Fournier has provided consulting to grassroots nonprofits for almost 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
Application process
Applications for the 2024 are now open and the deadline to apply will be Friday, November 17, 2023. For more information, contact Roshni Darnal at roshni.darnal@unitedwayri.org or Ruth Saah at ruth.saah@unitedwayri.org.
Feedback from recent participants
Kate Lentz, director, Rhode Island Center for the Book
"Most nonprofit workshops I have attended present static models of best practices that smaller organizations either have to scale down to meet their organizational needs or do not have the resources to fulfill. Executive Director Learning Circle meets you where you are. Each session was a helpful blend of real-life experience, concrete takeaways, and inspiration. The third Friday of every month became a sacred space where we could share frustrations and successes, find immediate solutions for our real-time problems and glean advice from successful leaders from across our state."
Kristen Williams, Ph.D., executive director, Riverzedge Arts
“Executive directors working at small non-profits often wear many hats! Meeting monthly with Michael Fournier and the incredibly supportive group of peers assembled by United Way gave me the encouragement I needed to take on and resolve difficult issues in ways that best fit the mission of Riverzedge Arts. Each month, we discussed a different facet of non-profit leadership with an expert in the field, providing us opportunities not only to learn, but also to engage with the broader non-profit community. And since everyone in my cohort identified as female, I was extremely grateful that Michael not only made room for, but also encouraged, thoughtful discussions about the ways our roles as executive directors and our personal identities (gender, sex, dis/ability, race, etc.) intersected. At a time when equity and inclusivity are rightly being brought to the fore, Michael and United Way modeled those values in convening and supporting this group.”
Bennett Named Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer
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Kyle Bennett, who has long been at the forefront of United Way of Rhode Island's legislative and policy work, has been promoted to the organization's Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer. Most recently, he served as senior director of public policy and equity, and joined United Way in 2006.
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Courtney Bourns, who has served as a strategy and program consultant for multiple foundations across the country for the last six years, has been named the new executive director for the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island, the financial support nonprofit announced Tuesday.
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United Way Hosting Equity Challenge
As part of United Way of Rhode Island’s ongoing commitment to and demonstration of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the organization is preparing to host its 2024 Equity Challenge. All Rhode Islanders, individuals, and families, as well as local businesses, organizations, and groups are invited to participate in the challenge, which is being offered at no […]
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United Way Hosts 12th Children’s Book Drive
United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is back! In April and May, we’re teaming up with Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Join us by buying and shipping books, dropping off books at one of our collection sites, or hosting a drive.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Celebration 2024
Save the date!
Thursday, October 10
6 - 8 p.m.
Waterfire Arts Center
475 Valley St., Providence