Gifford Brings Flagship Course to More Communities

The Gifford Foundation announces the launch of a replicable leadership course to strengthen nonprofit boards nationwide.

SYRACUSE, NY (April 2025) – After more than a decade of empowering diverse, dynamic leaders in Central New York, the Gifford Foundation is excited to announce that its signature program, Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders (NTL), is now available for purchase as a fully developed course toolkit—complete with optional support for implementation.

NTL is a transformative nine-week training that prepares individuals to serve on nonprofit boards by equipping them with essential skills in governance, conflict resolution, inclusive leadership, and nonprofit life cycles. Now, other community foundations, civic groups, and even employers committed to civic engagement can bring this proven program to their own communities.

The Toolkit can also be utilized to help nonprofits looking to unlock the potential of their existing board or train a young board by presenting them with the valuable information included in the course. 

“Every year, we see NTL graduates make incredible gains—not just in knowledge, but in the confidence to use their voice in boardrooms and decision-making spaces,” said Sheena Solomon, Executive Director of the Gifford Foundation. “We’re thrilled to give other communities the tools to replicate this impact.”

Originally designed to increase board diversity and leadership capacity in Syracuse-area nonprofits, NTL has become a pipeline for underrepresented voices in nonprofit leadership—many of whom go on to serve on boards, lead community initiatives, or expand their own networks of influence.

By making NTL accessible as a course curriculum toolkit, the Gifford Foundation aims to help communities across the country uncover untapped talent, strengthen existing boards, and ensure that nonprofit leadership reflects the people and populations they serve.

The NTL Toolkit is available in three customizable packages to fit the needs of any organization, from DIY implementation to fully guided rollouts with Gifford’s support. For more information and to explore available packages, visit giffordfoundation.org/ntl-packages.

Those interested in learning more about the NTL Toolkit and effective board leadership are invited to attend a free webinar on July 9 at 2pm called, “Cultivating Strong Communities with Strong Boards.” Learn more and register here.

About The Gifford Foundation

The Gifford Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the stewardship of the funds entrusted to its care. The Foundation is committed to using its financial and human resources to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to enhance the quality of life for the community we serve through grants, courses, and workshops.