AIM:

• To make it possible for every Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) class member to understand, support, and help community not-for-profit organization(s) meet their mission within the greater Pensacola area.

PURPOSE:

• To provide an opportunity to sharpen leadership skills such as consensus building, putting vision into practice, creativity, and team building in a manageable group setting
• To implement a service project to address a community issue
• To foster collaborative relationships with community leaders while focusing on service and advocacy
• To provide an introduction to active organizations within the community
• To network within the community and fill future volunteer leadership roles
• To gain satisfaction and to have some fun

GUIDELINES:

• Organizations must have non-profit 501c3 status
• Organizations must be a member of the Greater Pensacola Chamber in good standing
• Organization will submit an application proposing ideas that allow teams to experience problem-solving along with a representative to help guide the project
• Projects should be organized around the following kinds of formats:
  • Implement / coordinate a physical or service project
  • Create and/or implement research or promotional campaign project
  • Any combination of the above
• Organization proposals directly serve the community, and support services already in place or new initiatives proposed by the Organization.  The goal is NOT a complex, lenghty project.  The project must not require more than $50k in fundraising efforts.  The project must have a clear outcome, result, or end product
• Project themes are limited to: arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and wellness, poverty and quality of life
• If selected as a finalist, a representative will be required to present the proposed project to the LeaP Class on September 10
• The completed project must be delivered by May 2027, in advance of the class graduation date

PROCESS:

1. RFP Distribution & Application (through Aug 7):  The Chamber distributes the RFP to eligible member organizations.  Interested organizations submit an application by Aug 7, proposing a project and identifying a representative to help guide the work.
2. Class Review (August 14 - 31): The LeaP class reviews submitted applications against the project purpose and guidelines and selects finalists.
3. Finalist Communication (September 2 - 4):  Finalist organizations are notified
4. Finalist Presentations & Selection (September 10):  Finalist organizations present their proposed project to the full LeaP class.  The class votes immediately following presentations to select the single project it will undertake.
5. Action Plan Development:  The class, in collaboration with the Organization's representative, develops an action plan:
   1. Describe the project
   2. Identify specific goals and objectives
   3. Develop a timeline
   4. Create a class charter
   5. Assign responsibilites; including an agreement on individual service hours, a rotation in leading project meetings, and a commitment from all class members to be involved in project execution
6. Organization Approval:  The Organization reviews and approves the class's action plan and confirms the project is viable before execution begins
7. Execution & Completion (through May 2027):  The class carries out the plan, with the project completed by May 2027, in advance of the class graduation date.

CONTACT:

For questions, contact Trevor Rodabaugh at leap@pensacolachamber.com

Organizations must submit an application by the end of the day on August 7, 2026, for consideration for a LeaP Community Give-Back Project.