For over twenty-five years, LeaderSpring has invested in the extraordinary talent, dedication, and vision of progressive leaders in the San Francisco Bay area.
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy has recognized LeaderSpring as one of four pioneering leadership development programs in the United States.
OUR MISSION
LeaderSpring's mission is to foster a powerful, equity-driven social sector by strengthening leaders and organizations; developing communities of leaders; and transforming the systems in which they work.
Our Values
Liberation
We strive to actively dismantle white supremacist culture and systems of oppression within the nonprofit sector and society at large. We consider ourselves, and our organizational culture and practices as critical in this effort.
Leadership
Transcending title or position, leadership is taking responsibility for what matters—including taking care of oneself to avoid burnout—and requires bravery and vulnerability.
Deep Relationships
We strive to cultivate relationships that go beyond transactions or simply liking another person. Deep relationship is forged out of struggle and requires trust, respect, compassion, and commitment to one another (and one’s self).
Learning Through Reflection
Effective leaders make mistakes, take responsibility for their errors, and learn to do better. Self-reflection is a powerful tool for such learning and growth.
Collective Well-Being
Flexibility, abundance, generosity, and asking for help combat the culture of burnout, scarcity, and urgency that are conditions of systems of oppression. Trust and accountability should not be punitive.
Fluidity & Alignment
Organizations, like individuals and groups, are constantly changing and evolving. Needs, responsibilities, relationships, and expectations are dynamic, and as such, early alignment and continuous calibration are essential for maintaining relationships.
OUR VISION
Our dream is that leaders, organizations and communities in the social sector achieve their promise and potential to create a healthy and equitable society.
LeaderSpring undertakes its work by delving deeply into what impacts and undermines leadership among people of color in the social sector and other marginalized groups, honing-in on systems of oppression. These systems not only assail low-income and historically marginalized populations, but they also impact the leadership of those committed to transforming communities.
LeaderSpring resolves to be a catalyst for societal good by facilitating:
Transformative processes that elevates people’s agency, collectively and individually to optimize leadership for change; and
Changes in organizational culture and structure in efforts to oppose and dismantle systems of oppression.
To learn more about why and how we do this work, read our position paper, “Forging the Future of Equity”.