The Samueli Foundation is partnering with The Bridgespan Group to help Orange County nonprofit organizations boost their effectiveness and amplify their impact

Bridgespan Executive Leadership Lab

The Bridgespan Executive Leadership Lab is a program for individuals who are currently senior leaders, or who want to move into an executive role within the next 2-3 years. The program helps participants make critical shifts to being an effective senior executive. The key components of the program are:

  • Classroom workshops: Monthly full-day sessions that blend short, expert-led teaching with individual reflection and peer discussion

  • Individual support: One-on-one time with a Bridgespan coach over the first six months to personalize learning and shape a growth plan.

  • Peer groups. Work in smaller groups for feedback, accountability, and connection

  • Supervisor engagement. To ensure what learning is supported, participants’ supervisors will join two support sessions to ensure alignment and shared accountability for your growth

Bridgespan Leadership Accelerator Program

Bridgespan’s Leadership Accelerator is series of programs that help nonprofit leaders make progress on a specific strategic or organizational challenge. They are best for executive teams with a focused strategic need, or those who do not have the time or capacity to participate in a more comprehensive experience.

Each Accelerator program is divided into a series of “milestones.” Each milestone takes ~2-3 weeks to complete and has three key components: individual self-study, team working sessions, and group and individual coaching with a Bridgespan expert. There are four Accelerator programs for participants to choose from:

  • Achieving strategic clarity

  • Investing in future leaders

  • Strengthening the executive team

  • Creating an adaptive plan

Bridgespan Leadership Programs

Program Logistics & Eligibility

As we look to strengthen and support Orange County nonprofit organizations, we are looking at the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Your organization be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not classified as a private foundation or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) status and provides written authorization confirming its willingness to act as the fiscal sponsor, or fall into one of the following categories:

    • Government entity (non-501(c)(3)): U.S. federal agencies territories and commonwealths, state agencies and departments and political subdivisions (including cities, counties, municipal agencies)

    • School: All K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges, or universities. Institutions must have a NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) number or 501c3 tax status

    • Church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and clothing closets

  2. Your nonprofit organization must serve Orange County communities.

  3. Your nonprofit organization must be based in Orange County.

  4. Your nonprofit organization must be aligned with the Samueli Foundation's mission and values.

Cohorts launch twice a year.

The Samueli Foundation is providing a scholarship of ~80% of the cost for teams to participate in these programs. Organizations contribute a modest copay based on their organizational budget:

  • The co-pay for participants in the Bridgespan Executive Leadership Lab is $500.

  • For Accelerator, teams contribute $2,000 per team regardless of budget size.

For more information, contact libbie.landles-cobb@bridgespan.org.