The Exceptional Leaders Awards
(formerly the Fellowship for Community Leaders)

Based on feedback from community leaders, final revisions are being made to ensure the development of a quality program. Please check back for details on May 30, 2008. Thank you for your patience.

Since 1984, The Chicago Community Trust has supported numerous leadership development programs for not-for-profit and public sector leaders. The Trust believes that investing in the talented individuals who are in leadership positions and desire to stay within their field benefits their organizations, the field and the non-profit and public sector. The Trust also recognizes that there is a growing need to prepare for significant leadership transition given the projected number of current leaders who will soon retire.

The Exceptional Leaders Awards (EL Awards) is a new program designed to enhance the career trajectory of Chicago leaders and increase their future impact on the work of their organizations for the benefit of the Chicago metropolitan area. The EL Awards offer professional development opportunities for both experienced and emerging leaders in the not-for-profit and public sectors.

The EL Awards give talented individuals the choice of taking a leave from work or continuing to work while engaging in professional development activities. The EL Awards provide financial resources which can cover current salary and benefits for time off, costs related to academic courses, coaching, learning from other practitioners in, or outside, Chicago area and other associated expenses. Experienced leaders are eligible to apply for up to $60,000 award and emerging leaders are eligible to apply for up to $30,000.

Eligibility
Details coming May 30, 2008

Application Process
Details coming May 30, 2008

Learn More

Discovery: Perspectives and Ideas from the 2005 Fellowship for Community Leaders
Read the findings of the 2005 Fellows

Former Fellows

Fellowship for Community Leaders - List of Former Fellows

The Exceptional Leaders Awards