PONO leadership program applications due by March 30

THE PONO leadership program enrolls up to 15 mid-career nonprofit executives for training by La Piana Associates, a consulting firm based in California. Now in its fifth year, PONO (Promoting Outstanding Nonprofit Organizations) is a peer-centered program that features monthly sessions with facilitated discussions on key aspects of leadership.   

Hawaii Community Foundation and the Case Foundation cosponsor the program and HCF is now accepting applications. Participants meet six times during the year and there is a two-day kick off and a two-day culminating event. Each session focuses on one aspect of nonprofit leadership with faculty guiding the conversations.

PONO participants design and implement a capacity-building project, tackling a critical issue or entrepreneurial opportunity at their organization. Foundation staff evaluates these project proposals and provide grant support for well-defined, strategic projects.

“Our main interest was in strengthening nonprofits and helping them become more successful at delivering on their mission," said Christine van Bergeijk, HCF’s vice president for program and. "We knew that supporting the executive director was going to be the key.”

“PONO has helped to make me a better leader. It was a rare privilege to listen to nonprofit experts describe my problems and suggest solutions to them," said Karen Holt, 2004 PONO participant from Molokai Community Service Council. "It was also immensely valuable to hear the stories of my peers. I learned a lot from them — especially that I’m not all alone out there!” 

To apply, click here to download an application and mail it with supporting documents, postmarked by March 30, to Hawaii Community Foundation, PONO Leadership Program, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 800, Honolulu, HI 96813.