United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Launches Center for Leadership Equity

The Center is the region’s first leadership program designed to support Black nonprofit leaders and bridge the equity gap within the nonprofit sector

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ), in partnership with six regional funders that includes the William Penn Foundation and Comcast, today announced the launch of the Center for Leadership Equity, which will supply critical support for Black nonprofit leaders. The Center for Leadership Equity will provide the leaders with capacity-building opportunities through customized educational programming, access to funding resources, and advocacy tools to strengthen their work while advancing racial equity within the nonprofit sector.

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“When you invest in Black nonprofit leaders, the operations of their organizations improve. When operations improve, the delivery of services, programs, community benefits, and outcomes also start to improve,” said Kelly Woodland, Managing Director of Leadership Equity, UWGPSNJ, and Co-Founder, Black Nonprofit Chief Executives of Philadelphia (BNCEP). “By focusing on Black-led organizations, the most impacted by the racial equity gap within the nonprofit sector, we can better ensure that they have the resources they need to be effective and impactful in the communities they serve.”

According to a 2016 study led by Woodland and the Philadelphia African American Leadership Forum, Black-led nonprofit organizations are smaller in size and revenue; depend more predominantly on government funding; lack the social capital and connections of their white counterparts; and traditionally serve the most vulnerable populations with the least amount of resources.

Prior to the Center’s official launch, it initiated pilot programming with BNCEP, a community for exchanging ideas, building networks, and fostering solidarity and assistance among Black nonprofit leaders. The pilot included two “Get to Know Us” events connecting nonprofit leaders with regional funders, quarterly meetings, an overnight wellness retreat, professional development academies, and executive coaching for 20 nonprofit leaders.

“The pilot program has been invaluable to me. Whether we gather virtually or in person, I find the interactions with other nonprofit executives to be incredibly affirming,” said Loree Jones Brown, CEO, Philabundance. “Through the Center’s BNCEP programming, I have deepened connections to nonprofit leaders and funders and acquired resources to inform and improve my leadership.”

Specifically, the Center’s future offerings and programming will include leadership enhancement academies, executive coaching, professional mentorship, an annual conference, events for Black nonprofit leaders and funders, and wellness retreats. Sabbaticals, fellowships, and a CEO Bootcamp are being considered as well. Advocacy for Black leadership and equitable funding in the sector will continue, as well as strengthening the Center's infrastructure—remaining focused on serving Black-led nonprofits to drive positive community impact across the Greater Philadelphia region and beyond.

“We are proud to support the Center for Leadership Equity. Our grantmaking prioritizes opportunities for communities that have been most affected by economic inequity, racial discrimination, and other forms of injustice. We also seek to encourage partnership and collaboration to increase impact,” said Shawn McCaney, Executive Director, William Penn Foundation. “Through its work, the Center for Leadership Equity provides the kinds of leadership capacity building necessary to advance both of those values and ultimately helps expand access to resources and opportunities to create a more vital and just city and region.”

“We are thrilled to see this multi-year effort to launch the Center for Leadership Equity come to life,” said Gwyneth Gaul, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Philanthropy, Comcast Corporation. “Through Project UP, Comcast’s initiative to invest in organizations that are advancing digital equity and economic mobility, we believe it is critical to invest in proximate leaders and are pleased to see the Center doing just that.”

The Center serves Black nonprofit leaders within the Greater Philadelphia region. Interested participants can access the Center’s offerings and programming by submitting an online application and obtaining free membership to the BNCEP. In its first year, the Center aims to support at least 250 Black nonprofit leaders and organizations, with plans for expansion of programming as funding is secured.

“By launching the Center for Leadership Equity, United Way is committed to not only supporting Black nonprofit leaders but also driving systemic change within the nonprofit sector,” said Bill Golderer, CEO & President, UWGPSNJ. “Ensuring these leaders have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to grow is vital to creating stronger, more equitable communities."

The Center for Leadership Equity thanks the support of our inaugural regional funders: The William Penn Foundation, Comcast Corporation, The Hamilton Family Foundation, Philadelphia Health Partnership, The Patricia Kind Family Foundation, and Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is on a mission to end poverty and expand opportunity for all. By forging coalitions with business, government, and community organizations, we provide the skills and support people need to rise—and remain—above the poverty line. Serving Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, United Way leads solutions that deliver immediate relief and long-term achievement.

To get involved and learn more, visit www.unitedforimpact.org.

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