What is Encore Louisville?

Why did the Leadership Louisville Center create Encore Louisville?

What skills will I build in this program?

How does the Encore Louisville experience work?

What kind of impact do Encore Louisville teams have on nonprofit organizations?

Who should apply for Encore Louisville?

Do I have to be a graduate?

What are the time commitments involved?

What is the cost?

How many people are invited to participate each year?

How do I submit an application?

How does a nonprofit apply to work with Encore Louisville?

What happens after my application is submitted?


What is Encore Louisville?

Launched in the fall of 2014, Encore Louisville is the Leadership Louisville Center’s newest civic program. The program is for experienced leaders who have spent decades of their career in leadership roles AND who want to share their wisdom and make our community’s nonprofits stronger.  The program connects groups of senior leaders in an advisory capacity with worthy nonprofits that need help managing critical strategic issues. In this way, the Center makes it possible for our community’s star talent to be engaged in high-impact civic leadership and involved with their professional peers with a flexible, self-directed time commitment. Community nonprofits and all of those they serve gain expertise and assistance from the highest level community trustees.

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Why did Leadership Louisville Center create Encore Louisville?

Baby Boomers are retiring at a rate of over 10,000 per day, and hundreds are transitioning out of the workforce in the Louisville region, many that are in significant leadership positions with decades of valuable experience. The Leadership Louisville Center launched the Encore Louisville program to capture the talents, skills, energy, and experience of these leaders and provide a structure so they can meaningfully give back to the community. The program is like no other in the country.

What skills will I build in this program?

While some skill building is possible (facilitation, consultation, team-building), this program is less about building skills and more about connecting with other professionals at this stage in their life and careers. The goal is growing relationships and building a better community together.

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How does the Encore Louisville experience work?

Encore Louisville takes place over the course of 11 months, starting in January and graduating in November. The program is comprised of approximately 40-45 leaders who will meet four times annually to begin and conclude projects for the nonprofit community, share progress, offer advice, and present lessons learned. During the months between each of their scheduled program days (January, April, August, and November), participants will form teams and assist area nonprofits with specific issues. Nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to request assistance from Encore Louisville by submitting a proposal describing their challenges. The Encore Louisville team will begin working immediately on their project with the goal of completing all necessary work before the next program day (12ish weeks).

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What kind of impact do Encore Louisville teams have on nonprofit organizations?

The class works in teams to provide strategic guidance to local nonprofits who have requested help with specific issues.
See examples of the positive impact of Encore Louisville teams on local nonprofits

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Who should apply for Encore Louisville?

Encore Louisville is for experienced senior community leaders. Admission to the program is competitive. Applicants are typically over 50 and have significant leadership experience, including board and nonprofit involvement throughout their careers. Some are retired or transitioning from their career, but many are still active in their professions.

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Do I have to be a graduate of a Leadership Louisville Center program?

You do not have to be a graduate of a Leadership Louisville Center civic program (Focus Louisville, Leadership Louisville, Ignite Louisville, Bingham Fellows, Encore Louisville) or leadership training course to participate in Encore Louisville.

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What are the time commitments involved?

The program will take place over 12 months, and involve program days in January, April, , August, and the following January (typically 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Participants self-select to take part in two to four projects over the course of the year. Each of these projects will involve a maximum of 15-20 hours each.

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What is the cost?

To participate in Encore Louisville, individuals must be annual Champion Members ($500/yr) or Lifetime Trustee Members ($2,500/one-time). Encore Louisville is a professionally managed and facilitated program with significant administrative costs, including meals and accommodations on program days. In lieu of tuition, participants contribute to the Center’s operations and scholarship funds through active membership, which demonstrates self-support of the program’s activities and philanthropic support for leaders in our community.

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How many people are invited to participate each year?

Approximately 40-45 leaders will make up the class.

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How do I submit an application?

The online application is linked here and on our Encore Louisville program page.

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How does a nonprofit apply to work with Encore Louisville?

The needs of the nonprofit organizations will be identified through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Learn more about how to apply to get a Community Acceleration Team and the application timeline here.  

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What happens after my application is submitted?

Applicants are notified of selection decisions in early-December.