WARREN, OHIO—OCTOBER 21, 2026—The Raymond John Wean Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2027 Nonprofit Leadership Cohort, presented in partnership with Gradient Think Tank.
Beginning in January 2027, up to 12 mid-career nonprofit professionals serving the Mahoning Valley will have the chance to participate in a six-month, highly interactive leadership and organizational capacity-building experience. The program, first launched in 2025, combines practical management tools, leadership development, peer learning, individual coaching, assessments, case studies, guest speakers, and exposure to other nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
The Nonprofit Leadership Cohort is open to executive directors, senior leaders and other nonprofit professionals with significant organizational or program leadership responsibilities at community-serving organizations in the Mahoning Valley, primarily serving Warren and Youngstown. The cohort will represent diverse groups of organizations, communities and areas of service within the Mahoning Valley, with an emphasis on the inclusion and development of Black, Hispanic and Latinx leaders.
“This second cohort will retain many of the elements that were successful during the inaugural program in 2025, while strengthening program logistics, engagement and the connection between curriculum and the current capacity-building needs of local nonprofit organizations,” said Zachary Thomas, Capacity Building Program Officer for the Wean Foundation.
The initiative represents the Wean Foundation’s ongoing commitment to creating leadership opportunities for Black, Hispanic and Latinx individuals, developing and promoting equitable compensation practices and expanding the capacity of Mahoning Valley nonprofits.
Interested individuals can learn more about the program and apply on the Wean Foundation’s website: weanfoundation.org/boost-capacity/#NLC. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2.
About The Raymond John Wean Foundation
Established in 1949, the Wean Foundation is dedicated to community building in the under-resourced communities of Warren and Youngstown in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The Wean Foundation leverages a dynamic combination of grantmaking, capacity building, convening and partnerships to provoke new thinking, strengthen communities and disrupt the status quo to achieve its vision: empowered residents creating an equitable Mahoning Valley. Visit weanfoundation.org to learn more.
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