THE HARBOR PROJECT:
Sustaining Our vital changemakers
Dear Community Leaders,
In times of policy shifts and executive orders targeting social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work, your organization's mission remains as vital as ever. At Coaching for Community Leaders (C4CL), we recognize the unique challenges you're facing and stand ready to support you through this challenging time of transition and adaptation.
C4CL is launching a limited-time program, The Harbor Project, to: 1) expand eligibility for organizations to receive deeply subsidized rates for our leadership development services, and 2) provide grants for leadership and team coaching services to help sustain vital community organizations. Eligible organizations can complete our streamlined application [LINK] by May 20, 2025 to begin receiving leadership development services as soon as June.
Understanding Your Current Reality
Why The Harbor Project? In our conversations with community leaders serving historically marginalized communities, we've heard firsthand how recent federal policy changes have created new obstacles for your work, such as:
Funding disruptions that require rapid strategic pivots and difficult resource allocation decisions
The need to reframe program language while safeguarding your core mission and impact
Increased team stress affecting morale, productivity, and program delivery
Strategic uncertainty requiring clear, decisive leadership when the path forward isn't obvious
Heightened concerns from communities you serve about continued access to vital services
the need for leaders
In these challenging times, leadership becomes the critical factor in organizational resilience. When external threats create uncertainty, organizations need leaders who can provide clarity, sustain core values, and maintain team cohesion despite mounting pressures. The ability to navigate complexity while honoring both mission commitments and team wellbeing is essential.
How leaders respond—balancing transparency with optimism, acknowledging reality while maintaining vision—directly impacts an organization's ability to adapt rather than retreat. These challenges demand both strategic organizational adaptation and supported leadership—precisely the areas where C4CL coaching creates the greatest impact.
Acknowledging and Addressing Inequities - Helping you strategically navigate systemic challenges while staying true to your mission
Culturally Attuned Awareness - Bringing deep understanding of the unique context social justice organizations operate within
Humility and Mutual Learning - Working alongside you as thought partners, not prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions
how c4cl Coaches can help you adapt
We believe financial constraints shouldn't limit access to critical support during challenging times.
Service options for ELIGIBLE organizations
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C4CL Coaches provide structured, confidential, one-on-one sessions that are designed to facilitate a leader’s growth and actionable insights to achieve their goals. Especially in times when resources for leader support are scarce, coaching offers a tangible, focused investment in those carrying the heaviest burden of organizational adaptation.
Investment: For eligible organizations, The Harbor Project subsidized rates for individual coaching start at $300 for 6 bi-weekly sessions per individual.
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C4CL Coaches facilitate collaborative sessions designed to strengthen team dynamics, alignment, and collective capacity during organizational transitions. Especially for organizations navigating policy-driven challenges, team coaching creates a structured space for processing collective concerns, aligning on priorities, and mobilizing the full talent of your staff.
Investment: For eligible organizations, The Harbor Project subsidized rates for team coaching start at $400.
elligibility CRITERIA FOR SUBSIDIZED rates & GRANTS
Step 1: Organizational Status (Must meet all three)
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
We actively provide services in the United States
Our mission advances equity, rights, and/or opportunities for historically marginalized communities
Step 2: Qualifying criteria (Must meet at least ONE)
We have experienced funding impacts due to recent federal policy changes that diverted funding from social justice, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion programs
Our organization has been in operation for less than 10 years
Our annual revenue is less than $1 million
what impact can I expect?
At C4CL, we stand beside you as partners in this journey. Our coaches don't prescribe solutions—we create space for your wisdom and expertise to guide organizational evolution. Our experienced coaches create transformative experiences by:
Acknowledging and Addressing Inequities - Helping you strategically navigate systemic challenges while staying true to your mission.
Culturally Attuned Awareness - Bringing deep understanding of the unique context social justice organizations operate within.
Humility and Mutual Learning - Working alongside you as thought partners, not prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Applications close May 20, 2025
We've streamlined our application process to quickly match organizations with needed support. The current policy landscape requires immediate action, and we're committed to responding rapidly to your needs.
1) SUBMIT APPLICATION
Visit c4cl.org/harbor to apply by May 20, 2025
2) RECEIVE DECISION
Hear from C4CL by early June or sooner
3) BEGIN RECEIVING SERVICES
As soon as June!
Don't miss this opportunity to access timely support for your organization's most pressing challenges! Additional questions? Please email Grace Manley at grace@c4cl.org.