Yes.

Yes.

Yes. In the grant application, you will be asked to describe how a continuation or repeat grant will benefit your organization and the Nominated Individual.

The grant is intended to develop individual nonprofit leaders; it is not a Board development grant. Board representatives may be included in the grant as long as they are part of a team that includes at least one professional executive staff member.

The Leadership Fund grant application should be completed by a representative of your organization (the “Applicant”) and by the individuals who will be participating in the proposed leadership initiative (the “Nominated Individual(s)”). Generally, the “Applicant” is the person representing the organization. They are responsible for providing a budget and the reason for submitting the grant. Though the two parts of the application are separate, we strongly encourage your Applicant and Nominated Individual(s) to discuss your responses with each other.

The Valentine Fund for Visionary Leadership is committed to advancing, encouraging, and developing visionary leadership skills in both aspiring and executive-level women nonprofit leaders. The Fund understands visionary leadership, apart from management and executive authority, to include the following characteristics:

• Demonstration of innovation and entrepreneurial vision: (Takes initiative, is not risk averse, seeks new solutions, partnerships, tries alternative approaches)

• Credibility: (Demonstrates knowledge of issues from the standpoint of content and policy. Demonstrates capacity for strategic synthesis of knowledge and practice).

• Demonstration of the capacity to influence others with or without the formal authority or title.

• Demonstration of the capacity to respect followers, promote their voices, and protect their interests.

• Exhibition of generosity: Shares knowledge, power, and resources in the interest of an aim.

• Demonstration of life decisions and actions consistent with a set of core values and ethics.

• Demonstration of effectiveness. Achievements, even if modest, that reflect intelligence, creativity, vision, advocacy, and a healthy balance of outrage and optimism.

• Ability to think expansively about long term challenges

• Exhibits healthy work/life balance: Includes self-awareness, self-care, self-assessment, trauma-informed care

• Seeks new solutions

No. If an individual leader does wish to apply for funding but does not have the support of her current organization, she may contact Valentine Foundation to inquire about other available sources of leadership development.

Yes. You are welcome to choose the leadership initiative that is most appropriate for your organization and leaders. You will have the chance to explain why you’ve chosen this particular leadership initiative. Examples of Leadership Development initiatives that have been funded by the Valentine Foundation in the past can be found here — Leadership Development Initiatives.

A list of organizations and projects that have been funded through the Fund for Visionary Leadership can be found here — Valentine Visionary Leaders.

No.

No.

No, a final written report is not required. However, we do value hearing about the grantee's leadership experience and how it has positively impacted them. Grantees are encouraged to share a brief description of their journey and the benefits they’ve gained from the opportunity.

Contact Alexandra V.A. Frazier, Executive Director of the Valentine Foundation by email at info@valentinefoundation.org, or you may call at 610-283-5579.

We are offering two virtual information sessions for potential applicants.

These sessions are intended to address issues of eligibility and assist applicants in preparing and submitting their application. You are welcome to attend either session. Questions may be submitted in advance by email to info@valentinefoundation.org.

You are welcome to have a whole team participate. Please explain this to us in the grant application question “Why now, and in what ways is this Leadership Development Initiative important for your organization?” Then, choose 3 of the team members to be your Nominated Individuals.

An individual in your organization who you believe has leadership potential or who has made a significant contribution to the success of your organization, even if they are not currently in a leadership role.

No. Our goal is to develop a trusting working relationship with our Applicants, Nominated Individuals, and Organizations.

The Leadership Fund no longer requires a written report from the Applicant at the end of the Leadership Development Initiative.  Instead, we want to be actively engaged in understanding the progress of the Nominated Individuals throughout the course of their program. For this reason, during the grant period, we will reach out to the Nominated Individual(s) to learn more about her/their experience in the Leadership Development Initiative and any additional support needed from the Organization and/or the Valentine Foundation Visionary Leadership Fund.

We will request a brief written statement from the Nominated Individual about their experience that we can use for social media and printed materials.

View 2025 application preview here.

Each VLF Committee member is assigned as a liaison to work directly with a grantee, fostering a connection and supporting the grantee's efforts.