Who We Are
Leadership Fort Wayne, Inc. was founded in 1983 by the Corporate Council and Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne with seed money from the Lilly Endowment.
The mission of Leadership Fort Wayne is to train, prepare and inspire individuals to positively impact the community through meaningful engagement.
Its core principle is Servant Leadership. The Servant Leader is a servant first. Servant Leadership begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve. A Servant Leader:
- Seeks to build community among those with whom he/she works.
- Is a visionary who looks at problems with big-picture thinking.
- Is committed to the growth of every individual and nurtures the personal and professional growth of others.
- Possesses a keen awareness of self and the needs and feelings of others.
- Relies on persuasion and relationship building rather than positional authority.
- Holds his/her organization or community in trust for the greater good of society.
- Leads others toward healthy relationships and wholeness.
- Listens receptively to what is, as well as what is not being said.
- Is an empathetic listener.
Leadership Fort Wayne, Inc. achieves its mission and goals through the delivery of several leadership development programs and individual training opportunities:
Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) is a program designed for a diverse group of adult citizens who have demonstrated their ability to achieve personal goals and have a desire to make a personal commitment to community service. Tuition: $1,700
NE Indiana Nonprofit Alliance (NINA) is a membership organization that serves area nonprofits by providing education focusing on leadership and organizational development as well as resources to help nonprofits improve and strengthen their effectiveness to meet the needs of the community.
Youth Leadership Fort Wayne (YLFW) is a program designed for high school students who are not already in leadership positions but whose potential for leadership has been recognized by the schools and youth organizations that nominate them.
Youth As Resources (YAR) is a youth development program which awards financial support for community service projects that are developed and implemented by youth to address identified community needs.
Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) is an introductory leadership program designed for middle school students and facilitated by graduates of Youth Leadership Fort Wayne.
Leadership Fort Wayne offers workshops, retreats, training and consulting services to board and staff members of nonprofit organizations.
Leadership Fort Wayne Annual Report Program Year 2009-2010
Mission Statement: The mission of Leadership Fort Wayne is to train, prepare and inspire individuals to positively impact the community through meaningful engagement.
About Leadership Fort Wayne: With over 26 years of developing and training individuals on the importance of community and servant leadership, Leadership Fort Wayne is the preeminent source for businesses, community-serving organizations, local governments and nonprofit organizations to train as board members, volunteers, future community leaders and staff. The result of this training provides individuals with a greater understanding of the importance and impact of corporate community involvement and individual civic engagement, philanthropy and service.
Leadership development training is delivered through the signature LFW adult program which helps individuals develop leadership skills and provides insights to the many aspects of the greater Fort Wayne community while the LFW youth programs help middle and high school students gain individual confidence and learn about the community and the impact their community service can have on the community. The LFW Northeast Indiana Nonprofit Alliance (NINA) program serves nonprofit organizations by helping them realize greater effectiveness through training, networking and collaboration.
Highlights of 2009-2010 Leadership Fort Wayne, Inc.Programs:
Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW)
• 41 Individuals graduated from the Leadership Fort Wayne adult signature program
• 7 Community Service Projects
• 32+ LFW Alumni served as Presenters/Moderators for Programs
• 25+ Nonprofit Board Internships
Youth Leadership Fort Wayne (YLFW)
• 32 Youth graduates
• Performed a Fall Service Project at Fairfield Elementary School
• Performed a spring service project at Associated Churches Food Bank
• LEAD Programs delivered at Portage, Prince Chapman & Towles Middle Schools
• 70+ Middle school students received leadership training
Youth As Resources (YAR)
• 17 Youth Grants Council Members
• 5 Adult Grants Council Members
• $7,500 Granted for Community Service Projects
• $500 Granted for Youth Summit Service projects
• 2 Youth Summit Service Projects Funded
Northeast Indiana Nonprofit Alliance (NINA)
• 60 Member organizations
• 20 Participants in Emerging Leaders Program
• 3 Leadership Dialogue Series:
Structural Strategies for Uncertain Times, 172+ Attendees
• 3 Pursuing Excellence Training Sessions, 80+ attendees
• 3 NINA/LFW Book Club Presentations, 25+attendees
• 6 Executive Director Networking Sessions, 90+ attendees
Leadership Fort Wayne Alumni (LFWAA)
• 3 NINA/LFW Book Club Presentations , 25+attendees
• 5 LFWAA Alumni Community Awareness & Education events
• 480+ Alumni serving on nonprofit boards, committees and community task forces
• Over 90 LFW Alumni participated in the Vision 2020 Process
Leadership Fort Wayne's Income & Expense Report Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2009:
Leadership Fort Wayne is on a July 1 to June 30 Fiscal Year. Following are the revenue and expense figures for 2008-2009 program year. Leadership Fort Wayne accounting is on a cash basis and not on an accrual basis.
$461,876 Total Revenue & Support$525,789 Program Expense
$ 38,847 Management & General Expense
$ -0- Fundraising Expense
$161,691 End of Year Asset Balance
Leadership Fort Wayne is tax exempt under 501 (c)(3) of the Internal revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.