LEADERSHIP VENTURES TO DISCONTINUE OPERATIONS

Dear Friends,

We are grateful for our association with you over the past four years as Leadership Ventures – and for some of you as Trustee Leadership Development before that. We have shared a vision of building and supporting leaders in the nonprofit sector that has resulted in stronger organizations and a more collaborative network of skilled and engaged governance and executive leaders.

Unfortunately, the recent economic downturn has put an unbearable pressure on much of the nonprofit sector. In turn, Leadership Ventures has seen significant reductions in both service fees from non-profit clients, as well as our own donors. Therefore, the board has determined that we will end operations June 30, 2010.

This was a very difficult decision for our board, and one that involved careful thought and study. The board commissioned a feasibility study by local consulting firm Achieve. Their data found a high need for governance training and the development of charitable leadership, but in this environment, the study concluded the resources are not there to sustain them. Our board thoughtfully weighed the results of the study as well as the concern that further resource development could place Leadership Ventures in competition with the organizations we pledge to serve. The decision to close was based solely on the economic environment. While we are saddened that Leadership Ventures will not continue, we are proud of all that we have accomplished. Over the years we have provided innovative learning opportunities to more than 30,000 board and staff leaders. Our greatest legacy is the knowledge, skills, practices and lessons that our charitable leaders will carry into their organizations of the future. We are committed to ensuring the mission of leadership growth and learning among this and future generations of nonprofit leaders continues forward. To this end we have reached out to Lacy Leadership Association and have found a new home for the Board Chair Summit, a learning event in partnership with the Peace Learning Center. Conversations regarding other components of Leadership Ventures’ programs continue.

Finally, we thank you for your support of nonprofit leadership and the many ways these leaders create a more vibrant and caring community. We are grateful for the many opportunities we had to partner with you and others who are committed to making a positive difference in this community.

You have inspired and humbled us.

Sincerely,
Ruth Purcell-Jones, President
Lee Lewellen, Board Chair