Social Venture Partners Cincinnati has selected A Force for Good, a program of the Leadership Council for Nonprofits, as its next long-term investee following the completion of the LIFT Phase of its Project XLR8 program.
Leadership Council is a network of regional nonprofit agencies working to build capacity through collaboration and shared learning in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southwest Indiana. Its program, A Force for Good, aims to address the growing workforce crisis in the nonprofit sector.
“The selection of Leadership Council and their A Force for Good initiative represents a strategic investment in the fundamental strength of our community’s nonprofit sector,” said Christopher Chen, SVP Chair. “This innovative program directly addresses a critical workforce challenge and holds immense potential to drive significant, equitable change across Greater Cincinnati.”
A Force for Good
Leadership Council was one of six nonprofits to participate in Project XLR8, SVP’s eight-month program focused on advancing social innovation and equity in the region.
“Our experience with SVP in the EXPLORE and LIFT Phases really helped Leadership Council shape and focus our idea for a nonprofit workforce initiative,” said Elizabeth Benson, executive director of Leadership Council. “Our coaches served as a ‘brain trust’ as we looked at the sector’s needs and our vision for A Force for Good. SVP’s funding and their expertise are equally important as we move forward.”
As SVP’s long-term REALIZE Phase Investee, A Force for Good will receive up to $20,000 in annual funding for the next three years. SVP volunteer teams will also provide hands-on support to help scale the program.
“The SVP investment of time, talent and funding will help Leadership Council support the health of the nonprofit workforce,” said Vanessa Freytag, president and CEO of 4C for Children and Leadership Council board chair. “The work with SVP will reach across the entire region to strengthen the nonprofit industry’s most important asset – its people – as we serve the expansive needs in our community.”
LIFTing local programs to success
Founded in 2007, Social Venture Partners Cincinnati is the region’s hub for engaged philanthropy. The organization pairs grantmaking with in-depth coaching, training and guidance from its network of partners to help nonprofits grow their impact.
Project XLR8 includes three phases: EXPLORE, LIFT and REALIZE. During the LIFT Phase, SVP Partners offered coaching, training and collaboration in core business areas. That phase concluded with an Idea Exposition Event on April 10, where A Force for Good was selected for a multi-year investment.
Other LIFT Phase participants included:
- Oh She Built That’s Traveling Woodshop, which provides accessible woodworking workshops to address the underrepresentation of girls in STEM and skilled trades.
- Rising Leaders Cincinnati’s Leadership Institute, which offers essential training for young adults impacted by childhood trauma and poverty.
“Completing our fourth year, Project XLR8 continues to exemplify the power of engaged philanthropy, attracting and cultivating high-quality, innovative nonprofits poised for significant impact,” Chen said. “All the organizations in this cohort demonstrated exceptional vision and dedication in the collaboration with our Partners. We are humbled to amplify their impact in creating a fairer, more vibrant Greater Cincinnati.”
Applications for the next Project XLR8 cohort open in summer 2025.
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