Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award Grant

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Foellinger Foundation Inc
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Summary

The Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award honors exceptional nonprofit executives demonstrating outstanding leadership and impact in Allen County. Awarded to one recipient, the organization will receive a $5,000 grant for professional development activities, including leadership training and coaching. The selection criteria emphasize adaptive leadership, organizational culture, community engagement, and leadership development, ensuring that the award recognizes leaders who exemplify integrity, innovation, and resilience.

Overview

Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award Purpose The Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership by nonprofit executives whose organizations have been grantees of the Foellinger Foundation within the last five years. This award honors executives who demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation, and impact within their organizations and the broader Allen County community. Award The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award will be awarded to one recipient. The organization will receive a $5,000 grant designated for the award recipient’s professional development activities, such as leadership training, executive coaching, certifications, or educational opportunities that enhance their leadership effectiveness. Selection Criteria The award recognizes executives who exemplify Adaptive & Sustainable Leadership — consistently executing and improving plans based on learning, fostering a strong culture of staff and board leadership through transitions and challenges, and actively engaging stakeholders and the broader community. Nominees will be evaluated across four key categories: Strategic Leadership: Demonstrates innovation, effective decision-making, and strategic adaptability to advance the organization's mission and sustainability.Organizational Culture: Builds and nurtures a strong, inclusive, and missiondriven culture; successfully engages in influence, negotiation, and managing difficult conversations.Community Engagement: Effectively engages stakeholders and the broader community to build meaningful relationships, increase organizational impact, and advocate for the mission.Leadership Development: Exhibits emotional intelligence, self-awareness, resilience, self-leadership, commitment to continuous learning, and dedication to developing and empowering staff leadership.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Must be the executive leader (e.g., CEO, Executive Director, President) of a nonprofit organization that has been a grantee of the Foellinger Foundation within the last five years.Must have served in their current executive role for at least three consecutive years.Must demonstrate a strong track record of effective leadership aligned with the Foellinger Foundation’s values: integrity, stewardship, excellence, and respect.Must not be on the Foellinger Foundation’s board of directors or one of its standing committees.Organization must be in good standing with the Foundation, meeting all grant reporting and compliance requirements.

Application Details

Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award
Purpose
The Foellinger Foundation Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award recognizes
outstanding leadership by nonprofit executives whose organizations have been grantees
of the Foellinger Foundation within the last five years. This award honors executives who
demonstrate exceptional vision, integrity, innovation, and impact within their
organizations and the broader Allen County community.
Award
The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Award will be awarded to one recipient. The
organization will receive a $5,000 grant designated for the award recipient’s
professional development activities, such as leadership training, executive coaching,
certifications, or educational opportunities that enhance their leadership effectiveness.
Eligibility Criteria
• Must be the executive leader (e.g., CEO, Executive Director, President) of a
nonprofit organization that has been a grantee of the Foellinger Foundation within
the last five years.
• Must have served in their current executive role for at least three consecutive
years.
• Must demonstrate a strong track record of effective leadership aligned with the
Foellinger Foundation’s values: integrity, stewardship, excellence, and respect.
• Must not be on the Foellinger Foundation’s board of directors or one of its
standing committees.
• Organization must be in good standing with the Foundation, meeting all grant
reporting and compliance requirements.
Selection Criteria
The award recognizes executives who exemplify Adaptive & Sustainable Leadership —
consistently executing and improving plans based on learning, fostering a strong culture
of staff and board leadership through transitions and challenges, and actively engaging
stakeholders and the broader community. Nominees will be evaluated across four key
categories:

• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrates innovation, effective decision-making, and
strategic adaptability to advance the organization's mission and sustainability.
• Organizational Culture: Builds and nurtures a strong, inclusive, and mission-
driven culture; successfully engages in influence, negotiation, and managing
difficult conversations.
• Community Engagement: Effectively engages stakeholders and the broader
community to build meaningful relationships, increase organizational impact, and
advocate for the mission.
• Leadership Development: Exhibits emotional intelligence, self-awareness,
resilience, self-leadership, commitment to continuous learning, and dedication to
developing and empowering staff leadership.
Application Process
• Applications must be submitted through the Foellinger Foundation’s online
application system.
• A board member or staff member must nominate executive leaders.
• Applications must include:
° Completed online application.
° A narrative detailing how the nominee meets the selection criteria.
° Nominee’s current resume.
° The Board Chair must approve nomination form.
° The nomination form must be signed by the person being nominated to
indicate they are aware of the nomination and that the Foundation may use
their name in materials announcing the award process and results.
° Board list including names and terms of all members of your organization’s
board of directors and indicating all officer positions.
Timeline
• Application Opens: July 7, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 8, 2025
• Award Notification: January 22, 2026