Area non-profit organizations are invited to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Leadership Lackawanna as the first step in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process of a core program class community service project. The Leadership Lackawanna organization will select multiple projects for the incoming program year (October 2026 through May 2027).

For non-profit organizations this invitation presents an opportunity to use the services of a talented team of professionals. The LL group can help you with a project you have had in mind but lacked the human resources to accomplish. At the same time, you can expose a group of established and emerging leaders to your organization's mission and goals. This is a mutually beneficial experience for your agency and these emerging professionals. Projects must have a reasonable scope and budget not to exceed $9,000 and cannot include capital campaigns, rebranding/branding/marketing campaigns, or raising large sums of money.

New this year, projects that are fully accepted and implemented by Leadership Lackawanna will be charged a $350 project fee.  This fee helps cover materials, supplies, two tickets to the Core Program graduation, and a 1/2 page ad in the graduation program booklet. 

The deadline to submit an LOI is September 8, 2026.

Questions may be directed to Leadership Lackawanna Executive Director, Nicole Morristell at 570.342.7711 or nmorristell@scrantonchamber.com.

In Leadership Lackawanna's 10-month Core Program, participants gain direct and indirect leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton region, through monthly sessions. Areas of focus can include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history, and media, with sessions featuring widely recognized specialists. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to developing and implementing community projects, enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork, and benefiting local non-profit organizations.

Leadership Lackawanna's Core Program accepts applications from candidates who live, work, or play in Lackawanna County. 

Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization in Northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Its five programs - Tomorrow's Leaders Today, Core, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, Executive, and Welcome Scranton! - enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 2,800 community leaders.

• The Letter of Intent (LOI) aims to provide a basic overview of your intended project proposal as a preliminary step prior to submitting the Request for Proposal (RFP).
  
  
• This letter serves as a qualifier for consideration and will be evaluated by the Leadership Lackawanna Board of Directors and Committee Members.
  
  
• By submitting this LOI, you are not submitting your project for approval. Once all of the LOIs are considered, Leadership Lackawanna will contact you with a decision and let you know if you’ve advanced to the next round and will be offered the opportunity to submit a full Request For Proposal (RFP).

Please provide a detailed description of your proposed project. Be sure to include: what the Leadership Lackawanna team (will) be responsible for; what will our team create or complete; and what tasks/skills are necessary to complete the project.

LOI DUE DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

Organizations must identify one employee or organizational contact who will serve as the liaison to the group for the entire duration of the project. This representative must be fully engaged, answer questions, attend meetings and training, and be a decision maker within the organization.

Projects are more than good community service projects; they must encompass organizational, leadership, and networking skills.