for Nonprofit Leaders

Why Courage to Lead^®?

Those of us engaged in leadership, community service, and social change know the challenge of sustaining ourselves and our commitment to deeply held values and beliefs. The more passionate we are about our work, the more vital it is that we take time to renew our own spirits -- to reflect on the wellsprings of our service to others -- to reconnect who we are with what we do.  And in this process, we also benefit from the development of a trusted peer group for mutual support and inspiration.  The Courage to Lead program is designed to provide just this type of nurturing environment for nonprofit executive leaders.

What is Courage to Lead?

Courage to Lead is a year-long leadership and renewal program that consists of five quarterly two-day retreats and monthly small group Leader Circles.  Each group includes 20-25 nonprofit executive leaders, primarily from California.  And once participants have completed the program, they become eligible to participate in our Courage to Lead alumni program.

Courage to Lead retreats provide space and quiet so that we can begin to hear our inner voice. The practice of reflection, journaling, and deep listening are part of the fabric of our approach. In his book A Hidden Wholeness, Parker J. Palmer describes Courage work as “creating a space that both safeguards and encourages the inner journey.” Working in such a space, participants gain opportunities to renew personal identity, professional integrity, and vocational vitality. Meeting quarterly in retreat with a group of other nonprofit leaders provides the opportunity to build a deep and trusted community of peers.  And our monthly Leader Circles allow participants to continue the work and reinforce their learnings between meetings in a small group environment.

The Courage to Lead program:

• Renews heart, mind and spirit through exploration of the inner life of leaders.


• Reconnects to one’s identity and integrity — identifying and honoring gifts and strengths, and acknowledging limits.


• Provides the rare opportunity to slow down and reflect about questions of meaning, purpose, vision and service.


• Explores reflective practices that help sustain spirit and vocational vitality and inform one’s life and leadership.


• Creates a safe and trustworthy community of peers that supports the inner journey and strengthens participants for their work in the world.