emerging leaders

Host a Civic Action Project

Does your organization have a challenge that could benefit from a fresh perspective? Do you have a project you've been wanting to tackle but need a little help getting started?

Civic Action Projects are a key part of our Emerging Leaders program, giving early-career professionals the opportunity to work directly with community partners to address issues in our region and apply the leadership skills they're developing.

Think you may have a project or want to learn more?

Complete the Interest Form and we’ll get in touch!

Interest Form

Who Can Host

This opportunity is open to nonprofit and civic organizations in the St. Louis region. Past community partners have included Greater St. Louis, Inc., Transform 314, Healing Action Network, St. Louis County Library, City of St. Louis, Food Outreach, City of Wentzville, North County Inc., Women’s Foundation of St. Louis, City Greens, The Black Rep and many more.

Project Details

Successful projects are:

Well-defined with a targeted outcome
Of appropriate scope to engage a team of 4-6 participants, with each one spending approximately 10-12 hours on the project over the three-month program
Have the support of organization leadership, with an identified champion to serve as the point of contact

It was a pleasure to work with the cohort from Emerging Leaders. They came with positive energy and great ideas and helped us prioritize next steps for an important project.

Marci Mayer Eisen, MSW, ACC

Jewish Federation of St. Louis

For participating organizations, Civic Action Projects offer the chance to:

Benefit from a diverse team of dedicated community leaders
Meaningfully address a current civic challenge
Explore creative solutions to problems
Grow your network
Nurture leadership that embraces new ideas and taking risks

For Emerging Leaders participants, Civic Action Projects offer the chance to:

Work directly with community leaders to address challenges facing our region
Apply and develop leadership skills while implementing best practices learned in EL
Work alongside senior level professionals
Engage in peer-to-peer mentoring
Leverage the dynamic backgrounds and perspectives of class members

There is no cost to participating organizations.

CAP hosts must:

Outline a project or initiative that serves the Greater St. Louis region
Be realistic about expectation for team involvement (on average, each team member will spend 10-12 hours on the project over the three-month program)
Identify a Champion(s) who will provide support to the team throughout the project and attend required meetings on program days
Have support from your senior leadership, Board of Directors or Advisory Board.

We will not consider fundraising projects or projects from religious organizations for sectarian purposes, for-profit companies, or sports teams.

Think you may have a project or want to learn more?

Complete the Interest Form and we’ll get in touch! Or, if you’re ready to submit your project proposal, you can do so now.

Interest Form

submit Your Project Proposal

Program Partners