Community Impact Projects
Direct Nonprofit Support, Technical Assistance, and Consulting
What do you wish you could accomplish if you only had the right people?
One of the most valuable components of LPP (Leadership Pikes Peak) programming is the community impact projects. Groups of 5-12 people work with a local nonprofit or government agency to help that organization achieve its goal. For the groups, it means firsthand experience tackling a real community challenge. For the organization, it means support for the kind of long-term project that is difficult to complete with volunteers or busy staff.
Projects are as unique as the organizations’ needs. The idea is to provide you access to a skilled and motivated group of community leaders who can help you to accomplish something you could not do on your own. It might be creating a strategic development plan. It might be overhauling your marketing strategy, developing a new program, or planning and executing a PR campaign.
How it Works
Submit your project request form by July 1st to be considered for our Fall Programs (Leadership Now! and Signature). Projects for Spring (WCLI) and Summer (Leading Edge) Programs must be submitted by January 3rd.
Our program teams will review your proposal. The timeline varies because our programs run on slightly different schedules.
If your project is selected, you will meet with the 5–12-person team to discuss the details. Your organization will remain involved throughout the process. You will provide feedback both during and after the project so that the team can learn from the experience.
The team will work on your project for the time allotted. Timelines do vary. We are usually looking for projects that would take the team 3-6 months to complete.
Once the project is completed, LPP requests that you attend a final presentation by the team. During this presentation, the team will present the project to their class and describe what they did and what they learned.
Guidelines
We are looking for team projects that will make a meaningful contribution to community organizations. The team that picks your project will be responsible for the project life cycle – from clarifying goals, to implementing the project, to evaluating results.
Q. How do I know if my organization qualifies?
A. Projects must benefit an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or equivalent public sector organizations (like a school, or a city or county department).
Q. How big should the project be?
A. Pretty big. We are not looking for something short-term and tactical (the kind of thing you might normally use with volunteers). Instead, consider something that will require the team to think strategically about the plan as well as the implementation. Think of projects that can be accomplished in 3-5 months.
Q. Is there a cost associated with submitting a project proposal?
A. If your proposal is accepted, the group will work on your project free of charge. You may choose to allocate budget to the project itself.
Q. Is my project too hard? Too easy?
A. It should be challenging for a group of people, but something they can accomplish in the allotted time. Remember, our program participants range from teenagers to senior executives. Do not hesitate to submit a project that might seem easier or harder.
Q. Can a project group fundraise for us?
Unfortunately, no. Community impact project groups cannot be involved in direct fundraising. Please contact us with questions.
Q. Is my project appropriate for this?
Feel free to contact us with questions! Email boudewijn@leadershippikespeak.org or call 719-632-2618.