2013 ProInspire Fellows Selected to Develop Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2013
2013 ProInspire Fellows Selected to Elevate Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders
Largest cohort in program history addresses talent gap, fills demand for nonprofit leadership.
Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA — ProInspire, a nonprofit dedicated to developing leaders and catalyzing outstanding performance within the social sector, announced the launch of its 2013 Fellowship program with 26 ProInspire Fellows, the largest class in the program’s 5-year history. Participants from various private sector backgrounds converged in Washington DC and the San Francisco Bay Area to begin their yearlong fellowships with ProInspire’s nonprofit partners, including ACCION International, National 4-H Council, Net Impact, and Tipping Point Community. The ProInspire Fellowship expands the talent pipeline by recruiting business professionals passionate about a sector switch, providing training and coaching, and connecting Fellows to a robust network to support career growth.
A profile of the 2013 Fellows reveals the ways that Fellows are leveraging their experience for social impact:
The highly selective program boasts a 3.44% acceptance rate – lower than 2013 acceptance rates at Harvard (5.79%) and Stanford (5.69%)
Over 50% of Fellows are persons of color
Participants bring to their fellowships valuable private sector experience at top U.S. companies including Bain & Company, The Carlyle Group, Deloitte, and Target Corporation
Represented skill sets reflect the business needs of nonprofits in the areas of analysis, finance, HR, marketing, project management, and strategy
Placements at one of ProInspire’s 35 nonprofit partners help Fellows hone their skills while working on major social issues, including economic development, education, impact investing, international development, youth and families
The need for ProInspire’s unique offering is well supported. Monisha Kapila, Founder and CEO of ProInspire, states “We started the ProInspire Fellowship to address the nonprofit leadership deficit that has been highlighted by The Bridgespan Group and other thought leaders. The growth and quality of our talent pool, and the high percentage of nonprofit partners who work with us year-to-year, clearly indicates that ProInspire Fellows are filling an important gap in the nonprofit sector – an affordable way to access high quality professionals with business skill sets who are focused on social impact.”
ProInspire has seen the impact and effectiveness of ProInspire Fellows at nonprofit partners. 94% of 2012 Partners either retained or hired a new Fellow, validating the value of the program to the sector. Donald T. Floyd, Jr., President and CEO of the National 4-H Council, said “National 4-H Council is thrilled to partner with ProInspire in support of its pioneering Fellows program. Our very best talent have come from the ProInspire Fellows program and we greatly value the access we now have to highly skilled professionals with critical business skills and a passion to make a difference.”
ProInspire welcomes new partners to join the movement in closing the nonprofit talent gap. Please visit proinspire.wpengine.com to learn more.
About ProInspire
Founded in 2009, with offices in Washington, DC and the San Francisco Bay Area, ProInspire is a nonprofit dedicated to developing leaders and catalyzing outstanding performance within the social sector. ProInspire recruits and trains young professionals to achieve their potential for social impact. The organization’s flagship program, the ProInspire Fellowship, offers exceptional young business professionals a one-year Fellowship at a leading nonprofit, along with training, coaching, and career support. Building on the success of the Fellowship model, ProInspire recently expanded its offering with the Managing for Success program. This innovative program seeks to fill the void in professional development opportunities for early- to mid-career nonprofit managers with interactive workshops, peer support, and mentoring opportunities designed to sharpen managerial skills and enhance effectiveness in a nonprofit role.
For more information about ProInspire, including information on 2014 program applications, please visit proinspire.wpengine.com.