Imagine…a country where every community has a trusted local leader at the helm – a leader who is not struggling in isolation. They are backed by a powerful national network. The leader is of the people, for the people, unapologetically bold and ready to transform what’s broken into what’s possible.

Now imagine a future where leadership shifts paradigms. Where it reflects our full humanity, intersectional, justice-driven, and radically equipped to dismantle systems of oppression and build something better.

That’s not a dream. That’s our blueprint.

THAT’S THE FUTURE NLC IS BUILDING – AND THIS FUND IS HOW WE MAKE IT REAL.

New Leaders Council (NLC) is the hub for proximate leaders in America. We identify and elevate changemakers—local leaders rooted in their communities—through dynamic training, deep community, and national connection.

build power with us today

our strategy

  • Map and Mobilize Our Network

    Develop the largest dataset of civic leaders in the U.S. today – across age, background, profession, geography, and perspective, identifying where alumni hold influence and how they can be activated for systems-level change.

  • Strengthen Civic Infrastructure

    Build formal regional and sector-based alumni networks to deliver local solutions to national challenges.

  • Scale Leadership Development

    Support 400+ Fellows annually, embedding intergenerational mentorship, community connection, and resilience-based leadership practices into each experience.

  • Fuel Collective Action

    Launch coordinated actions and collaborative platforms that amplify the impact of proximate leaders working across sectors.

about the fund

The Building Power Fund is your invitation to invest in a movement. It’s not just a donation – it’s a multi-year philanthropic commitment to civic infrastructure.

Members of the Fund power NLC’s ability to scale, sustain, and deepen its support of its network of 13,000+ leaders shaping our democracy, economy, and civic institutions in 50+ communities and regions nationwide.

impact opportunity

Our democracy is at an inflection point. At NLC, we’re meeting this moment by equipping a powerful and growing network of local changemakers to lead with vision, values, and community. But lasting systems change requires more than a one-time gift – it takes strategic, long-term investment in leadership development.

build power with us today

Why invest in NLC?

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    Proven Network, Proven Returns

    Two decades of alumni success show a clear ROI: NLC leaders run for office, build movements, and give back.

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    Root-Level Impact

    Invest in leadership at the source – fueling changemakers whose impact ripples across issues and communities.

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    Depth and Scale

    A national model for belonging and equity, built to navigate complexity and catalyze collective action.

READY TO INVEST?

We invite you to consider a multi-year commitment to the Fund for Building Power. We are seeking 100 bold founding investors to make commitments between $1,000-$25,000 per year for three years. We encourage you to make a commitment that feels audacious, aligned, and meaningful — an investment not only in NLC, but in the future of leadership itself.

If you are interested in learning more or investing in The Fund for Building Power, please contact us at [email protected].

ALYSON MARTINEZ

ALYSON MARTINEZ

NLC SOUTH TX FRONTERA 2020
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

DAMARQIO WILLIAMS

DAMARQIO WILLIAMS

NLC DETROIT 2019
CHILD ADVOCACY

TAMIRA SAMUEL

TAMIRA SAMUEL

NLC HOUSTON 2021
HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY

MARK MARTINEZ

MARK MARTINEZ

NLC BOSTON 2020
HOUSING RIGHTS ADVOCACY

KHADIJAH WILLIAMS

KHADIJAH WILLIAMS

NLC WASHINGTON DC 2019
ECONOMIC ADVOCACY

BELLE TOWNSEND

BELLE TOWNSEND

NLC KENTUCKY 2022
LGBTQIA+ JUSTICE & ADVOCACY