Founded for the future
Being a leader is not some natural gift, reserved for the few that are lucky to be born with it. Leadership is learned. Cultivated. Nurtured. Like riding a bike, once you learn to lead, it’s an ability that stays with you for your entire life. This is the principle that The Civic Leadership Foundation was built on. The idea that the futures of our communities we live in can be changed for the better if we give our children the chance to lead.
One idea can change the world
In 2008, Howard Rossman saw the need in his community of Chicago for a program that would empower youth in under-served communities to do something they rarely got the opportunity to do—Lead. This turned into a full educational curriculum built on a project-based approach and social-emotional learning that has challenged kids to turn their passions into real social change. And, for almost two decades, they have been answering that challenge.
20,000 future leaders and counting
Since our founding, we have worked with more than 80 schools and organizations to bring our project-based program to their young people. Working alongside our invaluable partners, we’ve been able to give more than 20,000 kids a road map for diving fully into their passions and how the things they love can change the world.
Our Team
CLF’s day-to-day operations, from programming to fundraising, are handled by a multi-dimensional team with a wide range of experience in curriculum development, teaching, entrepreneurship and leadership. The team is organized into four main areas:
Curriculum Development
Team members continuously evaluate the program curriculum to ensure it’s staying current with student and facilitator needs.
PARTNER SUPPORT
Our team provides daily support to schools, organizations and their facilitators so they can focus on giving their students the best experience possible.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT & BOARD DEVELOPMENT
The development team works to secure the critical funding CLF relies on through individual donations, corporate gifts and government grants.
OPERATIONS
We have a team of operations experts and staff to keep the organization running and doing its best work.
Team
Our Board
The CLF Board is made up of leaders across business, education and community outreach. These are the types of leaders we hope our kids will one day become. Lending their knowledge, talent and connections to change lives and communities for the better. In their role, board members advise on program curriculum, connect with potential partners, and take an active role in raising the funds that make CLF possible.
Team
Our Partners
CLF wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the dedicated partners who use our program to open a world of opportunities to their kids. While we are primarily focused on under-served communities, we welcome partners of all kinds who want to make civic engagement a part of their programing. Because the truth is, every young person can benefit from the essential life skills CLF provides—and the world will benefit too.
School Partners
CLF provides schools with all the tools and support to seamlessly integrate the program into existing school curriculum. Our team works to make the program as seamless as possible for program facilitators so they can focus on the most important task—helping kids see the possibilities their passions can unlock.
Youth-Serving Organizations
Community organizations and after-school programs can implement CLF into existing programming, offering a new way to engage and grow the kids they serve. Often the project-based approach and civic engagement can align with an organization’s own goals of strengthening communities.
Donate to CLF today
Through CLF, kids learn to think independently. But they can’t do it alone. It’s through the help of individual donations and corporate gifts that we can provide kids, teachers, schools and organizations the support to continue turning passion into purpose. Click below to make a donation or to find other ways you can get involved with CLF.