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IGNITE

A leadership program for high-impact nonprofit organizations serving Chicago’s Black community

IGNITE combines world-class business education, coaching, peer mentorship, networking, and consulting assistance to equip the executive leadership teams of organizations with tools to expand their impact on Chicago’s Black community. Held in monthly sessions over nine months, IGNITE is the signature program of the Golub Capital Social Impact Lab at the Rustandy Center.

2023 Cohort

The leadership teams of eight Chicago nonprofits will participate in the inaugural cohort of IGNITE.

About the Program

Program Elements

  • Classroom sessions led by Chicago Booth faculty and nonprofit practitioners, including sessions on strategy, decision-making, marketing, and securing and managing resources
  • Networking with prominent philanthropists and Black leaders in Chicago
  • Monthly executive coaching exclusively for executive directors/CEOs
  • Leadership circles that bring together participants in facilitated discussion groups
  • Fall retreat (New York location tentative) to reflect on experience, build connections with nonprofits in a new market, and celebrate
  • Financial stipends of up to $10K per organization to support capacity-building work

Who Should Apply

Nonprofit organizations who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:

  • Annual Operating Budget of $500K+
  • Established leadership team
  • Predominantly serve the Black community in Chicago

Applications for the 2022–23 program are closed as of October 2022. Applications for the 2024 program will open in fall 2023.

Download the IGNITE brochure

IGNITE Partners

To develop, market, and grow IGNITE, the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the Chicago Booth School of Business is partnering with Golub Capital and the Chicago Urban League. Partnering with the Chicago Urban League will offer a connection to its network of accomplished nonprofit leaders, as well as an opportunity to scale the program to other National Urban League affiliates throughout the country.INGITE Program partners: Rustandy Center, Golub Capital, Chicago Urban League