Social Justice Leadership Institute FAQs

Feel free to send any questions to david@headwatersfoundation.org or jodi@headwatersfoundation.org, and we'll make sure to get you an answer ASAP!
 

Click on question to jump to answer below:

What does the SJLI cost?

Once accepted there is a $250 enrollment fee to cover the basic costs of the Institute. 
 

How is this different from other leadership programs?

First—way more fun. Second--Headwaters’ Social Justice Leadership Institute includes a fundraising and a grantmaking component that most leadership programs don’t have. Like other leadership programs, you will learn a lot, connect with local leaders and develop skills that will serve you a long time afterward.
 

What does the ideal participant look like? 

The ideal participant is someone who can commit to being present and engaged for a nine-month learning adventure, making a personal financial contribution to the project and setting a goal of fundraising from friends, family and community.   Our goal is to select a diverse group of participants along many lines including class and ethnicity. For this first cohort we are focused on young professionals.  It is possible that we will expand to additional age and issue groups in the future.   
 

What will I get out of this as a participant?

Our goal for you is to leave with a solid framework and relationships that you can use to guide your philanthropy and involvement in supporting organizations working on social justice locally.  You will leave with a sense of how you can engage with this work, apply your skills for greatest impact, and collaborate with others to leverage change in the community.
 

Can you describe the curriculum?

The curriculum has three components:  1) understanding social justice and related strategies for creating change in the community; 2) fundraising and resource allocation--how to lead and encourage leadership among others with wise application of your time, talent and treasure; and 3) strategic philanthropy--leading with thoughtful and informed choices about where to put your philanthropic dollars.
 

Who will be leading the Institute?

The Institute will be led by Headwaters Foundation Program Director David Nicholson.
 

Why the focus on fundraising?

Philanthropy is a big part of the Social Justice Leadership Institute because that is our role at the Headwaters Foundation--we raise money from the community and we give it back to organizations doing some serious work to create change in the community.  So you could say we're teaching what we know. 
 

 How will we decide where the money will go? Can I raise money for my own organization?

You will decide as a group where the combined funds you have raised will go.  Working along side our activist-led grants committee, you will learn about grantmaking, go on site visits and make recommendations on a pool of organizations that have applied to Headwaters Foundation for funding.  If an organization that you are currently involved with is among those being considered for funding, you will learn how to declare conflicts of interest and ethically represent your interest in the organization.
 

How many people will be participating in the program?

Participation is limited to 25 people for optimum interaction, learning and relationship building.
 

What does the SJLI meeting schedule look like?

The opening retreat for the SJLI will be scheduled for the weekend of September 7-8 beginning Friday at 5:00 pm and ending on Saturday by 5 pm. 

Session dates:

Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012

All Thursday sessions will be held from 5:30 - 8:30pm at Open Book on 1011 Washington Ave. S in Minneapolis.

Your involvement in all sessions in critical. If you know you will be unable to attend more than one session, please contact David Nicholson (david@headwatersfoundation.org) before you apply.
 

When is the application due?

Sunday, August 21st 11:59 pm
 

What if my question isn't represented here?

We would be happy to answer any additional questions you have.  Contact David Nicholson 612 879-0602 x 11 or Jodi Williams 612 879-0602 x 12.