As Lead Now Flint & Genesee gears up for the launch of its seventh cohort, the yearlong leadership development program is seeking proposals for the cohort’s community impact project.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies and should fulfill a specific community need in Genesee County. Projects should:
- Benefit an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, located in and serving Genesee County.
- Fulfill a specific community need in Genesee County.
- Be able to be completed between December 2021– May 2022.
- Be large enough in scope for 10 people to actively play a role in the project. (May include committees such as: logistics, budget, finance, marketing, and others.)
- Have the ability for the class to develop it further and/or modify the scope as determined during project development with general agreement from your organization.
- Be something that the nonprofit would not otherwise have the resources to accomplish or would allow the nonprofit to put their resources to better use.
- Be something that, upon completion, your organization will take over and manage as required going forward.
- Not be purely fundraising, though the class will raise funds and materials for the project.
The project is an important part of the Lead Now curriculum as it allows the cohort members to put what they’ve learned into real-word practice. Examples of past Lead Now projects include creating resources to support local youth organizations and helping the Brownell-Holmes Neighborhood Association install an outdoor library and greenspace.
Most recently, the 2020 group opted to work with the Good Church in Flint, in laying the groundwork to start an affordable community laundromat in its basement. The project involved strategy, fundraising and marketing, and left the church with a solid plan to follow after the program ended.
Project submissions for the 2021 RFP will be reviewed by the Lead Now alumni advisory committee and narrowed down to three finalists. These organizations will highlight their project ideas during an open house-style event on Friday, Nov. 12. Following this session, the Lead Now cohort will select one organization to work with for the year.
To submit your proposed project, please complete this application and return via email to by or before Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.