Description
Board Leadership Launchpad Program
Earn Your Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Board Readiness
You can learn about boards by sitting in the room and figuring it out as you go. Or, you can walk in ready, knowing what matters, how decisions get made, and how to contribute on day one. That’s the difference this program is built for.
Who This Is For
If you are early in your career and thinking, “I’d like a seat at the table, I just don’t know how to get there,” this is your path.
Young professionals make up about 2% of nonprofit board members. Not because they cannot do the job. Because they are rarely shown how.
This program fixes that.
What Makes This Different
This is not just a course. It is a guided experience that puts you inside the work.
You will:
- Sit in on real board meetings
- Work with the CFTEA executive director and experienced board members
- Join committee discussions and see how decisions actually happen
- Build relationships with leaders across organizations
You are not watching from the sidelines. You are in it. Participants move through structured learning, then apply it immediately through real board exposure, discussions, and projects.
The CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program is built for people who are ready to step into something bigger, but want to do it the right way. It is a no cost, guided experience that prepares emerging leaders for real board service, not just the idea of it. Instead of learning from a distance, you are placed close to the work, gaining a clear understanding of how nonprofit boards operate, how decisions are made, and what is expected when you take a seat at the table.
What sets this program apart is the hands on experience. You are not just working through content and checking boxes. You are seeing governance in action, understanding financial oversight, and thinking through real strategic decisions alongside people who do this every day. Over time, you start to recognize the language, the rhythm, and the responsibility that comes with board service. That familiarity builds confidence, and confidence changes how you show up.
There is structure here, but it never feels rigid. The program gives you a clear path to follow while still allowing space to explore how nonprofit work connects to your own career. Whether you are in banking or another field, the skills carry over. You learn how to think more broadly, communicate with purpose, and contribute in a way that others notice. Along the way, you also build relationships with business and community leaders, which opens doors that are not always easy to access early in your career.
For organizations, this is more than a development opportunity. It is a way to prepare employees to represent the company in the community with confidence and professionalism. When someone understands how a board works, they do not just attend meetings, they contribute. That reflects well on the organization and strengthens its presence beyond the workplace.
By the end of the program, participants are not guessing their way through board service. They understand what it takes, they have seen it up close, and they are ready to step into the role. Successful completion also earns credit toward the Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Board Readiness, which recognizes both the work put in and the level of understanding gained.
Whether you are thinking about a long term board role, curious about where nonprofit leadership could take you, or simply want to be more effective in how you show up in your community, there is more ahead. Beyond the Board Leadership Launchpad Program, additional learning gives you a deeper handle on governance, fundraising, financial oversight, and strategic planning so you are not just involved, you are making a real contribution.
Why This Matters
Serving on a board is not just a title. It is responsibility, visibility, and influence.
When you understand:
- how decisions are made
- how organizations stay aligned to their mission
- and where you fit in that picture
You show up like a leader.
This Program Is Selective
This is not open enrollment.
Participants are:
- recommended
- reviewed
- and selected based on readiness and commitment
There is an application. There are expectations. And that is by design. You will be surrounded by people who are serious about doing the work.
Selection Process
This program is open to individuals who are serious about stepping into board service and doing it well. If you are motivated, dependable, and ready to grow, you will fit right in. The Board Leadership Launchpad Program runs as an 8 month cohort from February through September, giving you a clear window to focus, learn, and apply what you are picking up along the way.
Not everyone who applies will be accepted, and that is intentional. Applications are reviewed by a small selection group, including the Executive Director and leadership from the Nominating and Personnel Committee. From there, top candidates are invited into a conversation before final decisions are made. It is a thoughtful process, because the experience works best when the right people are in the room.
Strong candidates tend to have a track record of showing up and following through. If you have spent time volunteering or supporting community work, that matters. You also need to be ready to participate, not just observe. That includes attending board meetings through Zoom and making time for the in person Leaders Conference during the program.
For participants, this is a chance to grow in a way that is hard to find elsewhere. For organizations, it is a way to support employees who can represent them well in the community and contribute with confidence when they step into board roles.
Duties and Responsibilities
Once you are in, you are part of the work.
Over the course of the program, you will build your foundation, then apply it in real situations. You will move through a series of self paced modules that introduce you to nonprofit management and the mission behind the work. At the same time, you will attend board meetings, review materials in advance, and start to understand how conversations turn into decisions.
You will not sit on the sidelines for long. Participants step into committee work, either through Education or Communications, where much of the real progress happens. This is where you begin to see how ideas are shaped, challenged, and carried forward.
There is also an expectation that you stay engaged beyond the meetings. That means understanding the organization you are connected to, keeping up with trends in banking and nonprofit work, and bringing thoughtful perspective into discussions. You will review financial information, learn how accountability works, and see how strategy is developed and adjusted over time.
Communication matters here too. You will share what you are learning, both through your network and through written reflections. Each participant contributes perspective pieces that capture growth and understanding as the program moves forward.
The experience builds toward a final group project where you and your cohort work together to develop recommendations and present them directly to the Board of Directors. It is a real moment, not a practice run.
All of this is designed to give you more than exposure. By the end, you have context, experience, and the confidence to step into board service and contribute in a meaningful way.
The Bottom Line
If you want to join a board someday, this gives you a real shot.
If you want to represent your organization in the community, this gives you the confidence to do it well.
You can wait to be invited.
Or you can prepare so that when the opportunity shows up, you are already ready.
Application Process
Applying to this program is meant to be thoughtful, not rushed. It is your opportunity to show who you are, where you are headed, and why this experience matters to you.
All materials should be sent by email to [email protected] with the subject line, CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program Application. From there, your application should come together as a clear, well put package that reflects both your experience and your potential.
You will include a current resume that outlines your background, along with a cover letter that does more than repeat it. This is where your voice comes through. Share what has shaped your interest in leadership, where you have taken initiative, and where you want to go next. It does not need to be perfect, it needs to be real.
You will also include two letters of recommendation. One should come from your current manager or employer, confirming that they support your participation. The second can come from someone who knows your work and can speak to your character and how you show up. Strong letters tend to be specific. They highlight not just what you have done, but how you approach your work and your growth.
There is one piece that often stands out. You will propose two to three topics for short reflection articles you would write during the program. This is your chance to show how you think. The best responses show curiosity, a clear understanding of CFTEA’s role, and a genuine interest in nonprofit leadership.
If you have questions along the way, reach out. You are not expected to guess your way through the process. We are looking forward to learning more about you and what you bring to the table.
Key Experience Checkpoints
This program is designed to give you a full view of how a nonprofit operates over time, not just in a single moment. Because of that, your experience will cross CFTEA’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30.
You will see how priorities shift, how planning carries over, and how decisions made in one part of the year show up later. That perspective matters. It gives you a more complete understanding of how boards think beyond a single meeting or season.
CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program Module 1
- Complete Self-Paced Course: Essentials of Board Service
- Complete Self-Paced Course: Getting to Know CFTEA
- Complete Self-Paced Course: CFTEA Board Orientation
- Attend Quarterly CFTEA Board Meeting (Calendar Appointment Will Be Sent)
- Download & Review: Sample Board Application
- Download & Review: CFTEA By Laws
- Watch: Board Governance Video
- Watch: Common Board Governance Issues Video
- Download & Review: Ten Basic Responsibilities of Non-Profit Boards
- Download & Review: Conflict of Interest Sniff Test
- Download & Review: 14 Attributes of Thriving Non-Profits.
- Attend Zoom Meeting with CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer
- Assignment: Module 1 Reflection
- Discussion Forum: Keeping Board Aligned
CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program Module 2
- Download & Review: Board Binder Checklist
- Assignment: Explore CFTEA Committees (either Education or Communication)
- Download & Review: Seven Steps to a Great Event Speech
- Download & Review: Checklist for a First-Rate Event Speech
- Download & Review: Annual Fundraising Plan
- Download & Review: Pursuing Grants
- Watch: Financial Information the Board Needs Video
- Download & Review: CFTEA Talking Points 2024
- Download & Review: Great Nonprofit Board Member Qualities & Habits
- Attend Quarterly Board Meeting (Calendar Appointment Will Be Sent)
- Download & Review: Dealing with Difficult Board Members
- Attend Zoom One-on-One Meeting with CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer
- Discussion: Researching a Nonprofit of Your Choice
CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program Module 3
- Watch: Why Does Every Nonprofit Need a Strategic Plan? Video
- Download & Review: CFTEA SWOT Analysis (2020 Case Study)
- Download & Review: Surviving a Crisis
- Download & Complete: CFTEA Skillbook Personal SWOT Analysis
- Assignment: Personal SWOT Analysis
- Assignment: CFTEA SWOT Analysis
- Attend the CFTEA Executive Committee Budget Meeting, if available.
- Attend Quarterly Board Meeting (Calendar Appointment Sent)
- Attend Zoom Module 3 Meeting with CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer
- Discussion: Lessons from Your Personal SWOT Analysis
CFTEA Board Leadership Launchpad Program Module 4
- Watch: Board Confidentiality Video
- Watch: Five Things Every New Nonprofit Board Member Needs to Know Video
- Assignment: Board Leadership Launchpad Program Reflection
- Assignment: Final Project & Presentation – CFTEA SWOT Analysis & Recommendations (This is a group project)
- Attend Zoom Module 4 Meeting with CFTEA Executive Director, Andrew Lederer to discuss and prepare your group project for the board.
- Attend In Person Quarterly Board Meeting at Leaders Conference(Calendar Appointment Sent) & Present Your Final Project
- Assignment: Complete Your Board Leadership Launchpad Program Evaluation