Nonprofits, community groups can apply for Leadership WB impact projects

William O'Boyle, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·2 min read

Aug. 2—WILKES-BARRE — Jessica Cronauer, program director at Leadership Wilkes-Barre, said the community-building organization recognizes the many needs of local nonprofits and community organizations.

Cronauer announced that area nonprofit organizations and community groups are invited to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Leadership Wilkes-Barre for implementation as a class Community Impact Project for both the Core and Junior Leadership Wilkes-Barre programs.

Cronauer said Leadership Wilkes-Barre will select up to six (6) projects for the incoming Core class and eight (8) projects for the incoming Junior Leadership class to work on throughout the program year — September 2021 through April 2022.

"Our participants can apply their skills, talents and servant leadership responsibility to help meet these needs and contribute to the betterment of Northeastern Pennsylvania," Cronauer said. "We want to hear from nonprofit and community groups and learn how we can help."

For nonprofit organizations and community groups, Cronauer explained that the invitation to submit a RFP presents an opportunity to use the services and commitment of a talented team of professionals, as well as high school juniors from 16 school districts. She said the project groups consist of 8 to 10 program participants who dedicate their Leadership Wilkes-Barre program year to the design and execution of the projects.

Past projects include:

—Creation of a technology lab for the Salvation Army's Kirby House.

—Renovation of the Martz Pavilion in Kirby Park

—Addition of comfort stations along the Seven Tubs Nature Area.

—Raising awareness and collaboration with Keystone Mission to help grandparents raising grandchildren.

—Food, book and supply drives.

—Children's literacy campaigns and hundreds of others.

Cronauer said projects must have a reasonable scope and budget and cannot include capital campaigns or raising large sums of money. They should be completed between the time frame of October, 2021 and May, 2022.

Core program participants are restricted to raising no more than $5,000.00/project and Junior Leadership participants are restricted to raising no more than $3,000.00/project. In-Kind donations are not considered within that restriction.

Cronauer said the Class of 2022 will choose their projects in October 2021.

For more information and an application to submit a proposal to Leadership Wilkes-Barre, contact Jessica Cronauer, program director, at 570-270-5323, or via email at — [email protected] — or visit www.leadershipwilkes-barre.org. The deadline to submit is Sept. 3 2021.

Boasting an alumni base of more than 2,000 servant leaders, Leadership Wilkes-Barre was founded as a community leadership development organization in 1981.

A non-profit organization, Leadership Wilkes-Barre is dedicated to developing informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will serve, strengthen, and improve Northeastern Pennsylvania.