Program Update

In 2000, The Ford Foundation, in partnership with the Advocacy Institute and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, launched the Leadership for a Changing World (LCW) program. This effort developed a national network of community leaders across the country committed to working on some of the most challenging social issues facing our communities. Youth development, affordable housing, human rights, environmental justice, and living wage issues are just some of the areas where they have made a difference.

The class of 2005 will mark the completion of this path-breaking program. After seven years the awardees, finalists and nominees together form a national network of thousands whose work and determination to stand for justice has communicated a strong message of hope for what is possible through local leadership and established a basis for its continued growth.

LCW was designed to recognize, strengthen, and support leaders and to highlight the importance of community leadership in improving people’s lives. Resourceful leaders are bringing about positive change in virtually every community and on every issue nationwide. The program has recognized over 150 leaders and their organizations, earned media attention both nationally and at the state level and contributed – often with awardee participation – to research on leadership for practitioners and scholars.

Most importantly, the program has supported the important work of these change-makers by offering financial and developmental resources and creating spaces for them to meet, share their experiences, and engage in inquiry around leadership for social change.

We are confident that the many successes of the Leadership for a Changing World program will lead to even greater achievements, and we are committed to build on the knowledge and reach of this network as we continue to advance community leadership nationwide. Please visit this site for upcoming news and ongoing research.