Leadership Niagara - Community Projects

Community Projects

Leadership Training Through Community Development

What is a Community Project?

Throughout Leadership Niagara’s flagship Community Leadership Development Program, participants develop their competencies and skills in a number of areas. The cornerstone of the program is participation in an Experiential Learning Project with a Community Partner. In small teams of 3-5 people, our participants collaborate to support a local community not-for-profit organization in addressing a challenge or working on a project the organization has identified.

Community partners are critical to the success of this aspect of the LN Community Leadership Development program. Our participants represent a wide range of organizations in Niagara and come with a variety of skills. They are aspiring leaders who care about their community. Working collaboratively, our project teams can assist your organization in working through a challenge or project.

Working as a Team Allows Participants To:

Apply the program learnings to a real situation in Niagara to become effective change leaders

Develop an increased understanding of Niagara’s communities, people, and sectors

Collaborate with a diverse group of community leaders

Develop their personal community leadership acumen

Gain an understanding of a local not-for-profit organization

Current Cohort Partners

Bert Miller Nature Club

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara

SAAAC CARES

Community Crew

Future Black Female

Start Me Up Niagara

Does Your Organization Qualify for a Community Project?

If you are a not-for-profit group, charity, or service club in Niagara, you are eligible for free assistance with a project through Leadership Niagara’s community projects.

Leadership Niagara has finished accepting applications for our 2025-26 Community Leadership Development Program (CLDP), but we will be accepting applications in the spring of 2026 for the next CLDP cohort.

Our program participants represent a wide range of organizations in Niagara and come with a variety of skills. Working collaboratively with your organization, our project teams can assist your organization in working through a challenge or project.

As a Community Partner

You Will Collaborate with a Network of Professionals Who Will:

Bring fresh outlooks to your team, providing creative ideas for addressing your project

Apply expertise from diverse professional backgrounds

Learn about the organization and community they are assisting

Address your team's needs over a 6-8 month period

What Do We Look For in an Application?

Each year, Leadership Niagara receives applications from numerous community groups with a wide range of current and relevant needs and challenges. These may include support for review of your business, marketing, strategic, engagement, or communication plans. The key is that the project is a collaboration between your organization and the CLDP participants and will be substantially completed within a 6-to-8-month time period. If selected, your organization could receive support from CLDP participants who will work with you on a community project of your choice starting in November 2026.

How Can I Submit an Application?

To submit your community project application, feel free to either fill out the application form by clicking the Apply Now button below or at the top of this page, or you may email our Executive Director at eamaro@leadershipniagara.ca.