Pro bono leadership coaching and team development for nonprofit organizations navigating extraordinary change.
The Lighthouse Leadership Fund is C4CL's pro bono initiative — created to extend the reach of leadership coaching to nonprofit organizations for whom the investment in paid services would be a meaningful barrier, or whose work and current circumstances represent a compelling case for dedicated support.
LLF provides the same high-caliber, ICF-credentialed coaching that C4CL offers through its paid programs — culturally attuned, equity-focused, and tailored to the realities of nonprofit leadership — at no cost to qualifying organizations.
The fund reflects our belief that the leaders most critical to community wellbeing are often the ones with the least access to the development tools they need. The Lighthouse Leadership Fund exists to change that.
Both pathways deliver exceptional coaching. The difference is in how they are accessed, funded, and what each party commits to.
We hear it often: nonprofit leaders assume "coaching" means management consulting, strategic planning, or external advising. It is none of those things. Understanding this distinction matters — coaching only works when a participant genuinely wants it and understands what it is.
Your coach helps you clarify your own thinking, identify patterns, set goals, and develop your capacity as a leader — through skilled questions and a confidential, non-judgmental space. The insight and direction comes from you.
Coaching builds the mindset, self-awareness, resilience, and strategic thinking that make leaders effective — even as the circumstances around them change. It is development, not advice.
Coaches do not diagnose problems, prescribe solutions, or provide organizational strategy. They do not tell you what to do or substitute for therapeutic support. If you need those things, we can help you find them — but they are separate from coaching.
A dedicated coaching relationship between the participant and a C4CL-matched, ICF-credentialed coach — designed around the leader's specific goals, challenges, and development areas.
Coaching is delivered virtually and scheduled at a cadence that works for the participant. All session content is strictly confidential.
A facilitated, assessment-informed team session designed around the team's specific dynamics, challenges, and goals — particularly valuable for teams that have navigated significant change, restructuring, or leadership transition.
Workshop design is collaborative. C4CL works with organizational leadership to understand team composition, function, and objectives before tailoring the engagement.
Organizations may apply for individual coaching, team development, or both — subject to eligibility and availability.
Organizations whose primary mission serves women and/or girls receive weighted priority consideration in the LLF review process. This is not incidental — it reflects a significant, documented gap in philanthropic investment.
Leadership development is a force multiplier: when the leaders of women- and girls-serving organizations are stronger, the communities they serve are stronger. C4CL's LLF is one small but intentional contribution to closing that gap.
Serving women and girls as your primary population does not guarantee approval — but it is a meaningful factor in our review when other criteria are comparable.
The LLF uses a two-track eligibility framework. You must meet all criteria within one track. If you are unsure, apply and our team will make the determination.
For organizations in early stages where leadership development investment has the highest long-term leverage.
Designed for organizations that have weathered serious disruption, found a way through, and whose leaders need the space and support to recalibrate and lead differently. Revenue above $1M does not disqualify under this track.
Submit your organization's application, including your most recent Form 990. Applications are reviewed within 10 business days.
C4CL reviews your application against track criteria. We may follow up with questions. You will receive a written decision.
If approved, nominated participants complete C4CL's Coaching Readiness Questionnaire and a 30–60 minute individual intake conversation.
Approved participants are matched with a C4CL coach. Sessions are scheduled directly between participant and coach at a mutually workable cadence.
Because services are provided at no cost, we ask for something else in return: your voice, your story, and your help in extending C4CL's reach to other organizations that could benefit.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Availability is limited — we encourage eligible organizations to apply as soon as they are ready.
Start Your ApplicationNot sure if LLF is the right fit? Contact us — we're happy to talk through your situation before you apply.
Our pricing is intentionally set at approximately 50% of market rate for executive coaching. If your organization doesn't qualify for LLF, we still want to work with you.
A 4–5 month coaching program with an ICF-credentialed, culturally attuned coach matched to your leadership context. Includes at least one leadership assessment.
Assessment-based team sessions designed to strengthen communication, trust, and collective capacity — customized to your team's specific challenges and goals.