Emerging Leader Grants

The We Raise Foundation's Emerging Leader Grants are designed to empower and invest in rising nonprofit professionals within Christian organizations who are actively leading and driving change in their communities. These grants serve as an investment in the development of an emerging leader and the specific program they spearhead, focusing on the critical intersection of poverty, violence, and inequality across the United States. This initiative directly aligns with the We Raise Foundation's mission to foster impactful leadership and support programs that address significant societal challenges. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are emerging leaders in the earlier stages of their careers at Christian 501(c)(3) nonprofits located within the United States. These organizations must serve people at the intersection of poverty, violence, and inequality, with a predominant focus on people of color. The program aims to support newer programs or those that have significantly expanded, revised, or propose an innovative approach, with the ultimate goal of catalyzing positive change within these communities. The foundation prioritizes identifying leaders who inspire others, communicate clearly, think strategically, exhibit persistence, build trust within their teams, deeply engage in their communities, and possess a calling rooted in faith. The program's focus areas include leadership development opportunities such as participation in The Center for Creative Leadership's "Leadership Fundamentals" course, attendance at the Global Leadership Summit, or individualized leadership coaching. The grant also supports capital expenses essential to new programming. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the development of emerging leaders and the impact of their programs. The foundation believes that investing in leaders early in their careers can have a catalytic effect on both the program's success and the leader's long-term influence. Grants provide $15,000 over two years, with $10,000 designated for the program and $5,000 specifically for leadership development costs, ensuring a direct investment in both program efficacy and individual growth. This strategic allocation underscores the foundation's theory of change, which posits that empowering capable leaders will lead to more effective and sustainable solutions to complex social issues.