What it does
Cfleads envisons a world in which community foundations are vital partners in building communities where all residents are prosperous, healthy and secure. Our mission is to help community foundations build strong communities by advancing effective practices, sharing knowledge and galvanizing action on critical issues of our time.
Galvanize action on issues:continued to build understanding among community foundations of critical issues facing communities (I.e. Economic mobility, community safety, sustainable development goals, etc.); facilitated the adoption of internal practices at community foundations that increase external effectiveness on these issues; spurred collective action on issues of common concern; and built on momentum from launch/dissemination of the cfleads economic mobilty report: pathways to progress, highlighting the work of community foundations engaged in cfleads programming, particularly the economic mobility portfolio of activities.
Building organizational capacity:continued to build understanding of community leadership among community foundation boards, senior staff, and partners through peer connections, in-person convenings, and structured networking opportunities. The executive leadership institute (eli) for ceos facilitated in-person convenings with 12 new ceos. The eli for vps facilitated cohort sessions with 16 new community foundation vps. 2025 also saw the launch of the community leadership lab (virtual) convening with over 35 registrants. Lastly, the 2025 forum included the participation of over 140 cf leaders, representing over 60 community foundations.
Sharing knowledge:continued to increase field understanding of the value of community leadership as a core organizing strategy for community impact. Cfleads in-person and cohort-based programs reached 722 individuals, across 47 states, and serving 337 community foundations. Additionally, cfleads hosted webinars and presented at regional and national conferences, with topics including cfleads' fellowship information session, introduction to community safety for cfs, leading with our values (a 3-part series), community foundation leadership roundtable: supporting our immigrant communities, and a variety of others. (continued on sch o)the organization published blog posts, published/shared resources and newsletters related to community leadership and community foundations' work. Hosted "the gathering," an event designed exclusively for african-american community foundation ceos.
Leadership
Mary L ThomasCEO
Keisha WalkerDirector of Finance
Leonard BrockSVP, Systems Change & Policy
Sarah OrigerDirector of Partnerships & Innovation
Kyumon MurrellDirector of Community Leadership