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About CDCLP

The Future of Local Leadership Development

The Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation (JJMMF) is launching the Community Development Corporation Leadership Program (CDCLP) to build capacity and bolster CDC sector leadership to create a strong industry and enhance neighborhoods in the City of Cleveland.

CDCs lead community and neighborhood activities throughout the City by developing strategic and master plans, engaging and organizing residents, attracting and retaining businesses, coordinating marketing and events, and communicating information among various networks.

The mission of the CDCLP is to strengthen the skills, enhance the knowledge, and elevate the professionalism and capacity of existing and future staff and board leaders of community development corporations in Cleveland.

The leadership of a CDC is critical to the success of these efforts and the vibrancy of a community. The CDCLP is designed to strengthen the skills, enhance the knowledge, and elevate the professionalism and capacity of existing and future leaders of CDCs in Cleveland. The CDCLP will help executive directors, high-level directors, and board presidents improve their professional capacity to make a greater impact on the neighborhoods they serve through education, coaching, and experiential activities that involve critical issues facing CDCs and neighborhoods.

Program participants will attend in sessions that focus on the following areas:

  • Leadership skill development, team building, and self-care strategies
  • Organizational planning, development, finance, management, governance, marketing, and fundraising
  • Neighborhood equitable engagement, planning, and real estate development

Coaches will assist each participant during the training and post-graduation, helping with goal setting and achieving professional milestones. Graduates will also have the opportunity on behalf of their CDC to participate in ongoing educational opportunities and seek grant funding from the Mandel Foundation to pursue areas of learning from the leadership program.