[Accepting Applications] Initiative Foundation Emerging Leaders Program

Minnesota Rising is beyond excited to be expanding our efforts in West Central and Central Minnesota communities by partnering with the West Central Initiative and the Initiative Foundation. At the kick-off events for the Initiative Foundation's Emerging Leaders Program, a new community development program being launched in April, we'll be sharing about our Cascading Conversations Tour. Learn more online about the new program and the upcoming informational sessions in Brainerd and Saint Cloud later this month!

Emerging Leaders Program A community development program being launched in April by the Initiative Foundation will prepare and connect the next generation of leaders interested in effectively engaging at work and in their community. Individuals between the ages of 18-35, including people of color, are invited to participate in a new leadership program designed to enhance personal and professional growth through meaningful, customized civic engagement.   Online program applications will be accepted April 15 through May 15 at ifound.org.   Printed forms will be made available upon request. Program Resources Visit the Emerging Leaders page to learn more about the ideal emerging leader, our commitment to the program, eligibility, meeting dates/times and other useful information. Two Informational Sessions Want to learn more the program, talk one-on-one with staff and network with peers across central Minnesota? Attend one of two free informational sessions held this month. Space is limited at each session, so you will want to register to reserve your seat. Register yourself and a friend to attend an informational session to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card. Attendance is not required to participate in the Emerging Leaders program. Friday, April 17, Brainerd Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Place: Prairie Bay, 15115 Edgewood Drive N. Thursday, April 23, St. Cloud Time: 4 to 6 p.m. Place: Lake George Municipal Complex Sun Room, 1101 7th Street S. Diane Tran, Minnesota Rising Featured Speaker Meet Diane Tran, founder of Minnesota Rising, at the informational session. Diane's work focuses on amplifying the voice of the  next generation to positively impact the future of Minnesota. Her "Cascading Conversations" around the state capture the values of emerging leaders. if...the future of Minnesota was in our hands, what is the most meaningful thing we could do as a generation?  A Need to Lead Replacing the more than 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day in the United States from long careers and community leadership roles will be critical work for the small towns and rural communities of Greater Minnesota. Compared to the Twin Cities, where one in 56 people will be tapped to take on a leadership role, the average rural Minnesotan has responsibility for six or more top jobs--roles that can range from running small businesses to serving on community and nonprofit boards and supporting the leadership of area churches and schools. Read more in the latest edition of IQ Magazine. The Initiative Foundation exists to improve the quality of life and to build stronger communities within its 14-county region of Central Minnesota by offering leadership training, business loans, nonprofit grants and donor services. Since 1986, the Initiative Foundation has invested more than $70 million in the region through targeted grants and business financing investments. About the Supporters The Emerging Leaders program is supported by a Bush Foundation Leadership Network grant. The Bush Foundation's investment in building the capacity of individuals through fellowships began in 1965. Since then, more than 2,200 Bush Fellows and Native Nation Rebuilders have reshaped every aspect of the region. The full list of Leadership Network Grant recipients can be found atBushFoundation.org/2014LNGGrants.