Request for Proposals for 2025/2026
Thank you for your interest in collaborating with the Leadership Northeast Program. Your complete proposal will be submitted to the 2026 Core and/or Junior class for consideration as a Community Impact Project. Please read the following information carefully before you submit your proposal.
What is the Community Impact Project (CIP)?
- The CIP is the hands-on, team-based component of Leadership Northeast’s Core and Junior Programs.
- Teams of professionals or high school juniors implement community-focused projects applying leadership skills gained throughout the program.
Who Can Submit?
- Established nonprofits and community groups are invited to submit proposals
- Priority is given to organizations not selected in 2025.
CIP Timeline
- RFP Due: August 15, 2025
- Core Class Chooses Projects: October 2025
- Junior Class Chooses Projects: November 2025
- Project Work Period: Oct/Nov 2025 – May 2026
Project Guidelines
- Projects must address a regional need and be achievable within 6–8 months.
- They must have a clear, reasonable scope and timeline.
- Projects should encourage leadership, creativity, and collaboration
- Past project examples includes sensory or garden spaces, renovations, resource drives, community advocacy or outreach campaigns, and educational/art initiatives
- Capital campaigns or large fundraising efforts are not allowed.
Budget & Fundraising
- This is not a grant opportunity. Fundraising is not required. Funding is not guaranteed and no startup capital is provided.
- If teams do decide to fundraise, Core class members are restricted to fundraise no more than $5,000 in cash; Junior class members are restricted to fundraise no more than $3,000 in cash.
- In-kind donations are unlimited.
- Teams learn to explore the community to secure materials/resources.
Who Does the Work?
- Core Program: Teams consist of 6-8 adults
- Junior Program: Teams consist of 8–10 high school juniors
- Each team is assigned a Project Advisor and supported by LNE staff
How to Submit
- Submit completed application by August 15, 2025
- Late or incomplete submissions may not be reviewed.
- Note that selection is not guaranteed, and you will be made aware of the class decisions by November 2025.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Hurchick at nicole@leadershipnortheast.org.
It’s about the process…
The Community and School Impact project component of the Leadership Northeast experience is meant to serve several purposes. Classmates work together to design and execute a project that fulfills a community need. In doing so, participants utilize the leadership development skills they have learned throughout the year, while making a positive impact on their community.
Although Project Advisors provide guidance, these projects are participant-driven from beginning to end. Project groups brainstorm ideas at their first meeting and then work together to see it through.
Project groups are designed to make the process challenging. Participants must work through their differences of opinion, behavior and perspectives and find a common ground. Learning how to bring people together, despite these differences, in order accomplish something extraordinary is the true definition of Leadership.
Between the Core, Junior and Impact programs, Leadership Northeast participants complete upwards of 40 projects a year, collaborating with other nonprofits, schools, government and community organizations. After 44 years in the business, the ripple effect of these projects is vast, and the lessons learned invaluable.
Click below to see what our current classes are up to, and browse the map below for a visual of how LNE’s alumni have worked to improve their community throughout the years.
Conservation Collective: Partnered with regional libraries to connect children to nature, promote biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices that will protect the natural world for future generations.
Guardians of the Garden: Built an outdoor garden space for Step by Step Inc. to help those who are experiencing intellectual disabilities and limited mobility to learn how to garden and enjoy the outdoors.
The Kitchen Aides: Empowered the visually impaired and blind community at Northeast Sight Services by creating a safe, inviting, and innovative kitchen space that fosters independence, creativity, and enjoyment in cooking.
Knights of Lord Butler: Partnered with the Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society to remodel the detached garage on the property of the Zebulon Butler House into an antique shop for all to enjoy.
Little League Legends: Renovated the Hanover Little League concession stand to provide a welcoming space that supports kids in a safe, inclusive environment.
Packs for Purpose: Worked with Keystone Mission to provide curated backpacks filled with essential resources to individuals experiencing homelessness in Northeastern PA.
Supporters of the Sanctuary: Fostered environmental stewardship and a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of NEPA in partnership with the Lehman Sanctuary.
Leveling the Playing Field: Worked with Diamond City Sports to provide affordable recreational activities for children, youth, and adults while promoting the ideals of community and personal responsibility, dedication, sportsmanship, and camaraderie in a safe, positive environment.
Pages for Progress: Partnered with the United Way to organize book drives in order to support the annual Children’s Book Drive to benefit their Tag In for Summer Reading Program.
Voices for Veterans: Partnered with the FSB Initiative to provide support to local veterans.
Mission Recovery: Worked with the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to provide items to local veterans.
Warm Wishes for Seniors: Brought joy, warmth and company to senior citizens at the Embassy of Wyoming Valley during the holiday seasons.
Run to the Rescue: Supported Griffin Pond Animal Shelter by raising awareness, volunteering and hosting a 5K.
Food Fighters: Raised awareness and give back to fight food insecurity and childhood hunger locally in partnership with the Commission on Economic Opportunity.
Pawsitive Impact: Worked with the SPCA or another local shelter to gather supplies and raise awareness for animal cruelty.
Sense of Sobriety: Partnered with Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services to help those suffering from addiction and mental illness, aiming to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse in our area.
Single Mom Superheroes: Supported Adopt a Single Mom project by creating Event-In-A-Box materials and identify high-traffic/large employee count businesses/organizations around NEPA to display donation boxes.
How much of an impact has Leadership Northeast had on NEPA? Take a look at our interactive Project Map to see!