APALI 2026 Board Leadership Academy Application

APALI's Board Leadership Academy is an intensive six-week hybrid (online and in-person) course from October to November that is designed for (a) individuals who are interested in sitting on a nonprofit board within the next 18-months or (b) existing nonprofit board members who seek additional training.

In addition to readings, lectures, and guest speakers, most of the classes utilize the law school / business school case study method in a graduate school-level seminar discussion. The following topics are scheduled to be covered: Barriers for Under Represented Communities; Board Dynamics; Core Duties; Mission Statements; Nonprofit Life Cycle; Intergenerational Challenges; Strategic Planning; Executive Director Compensation; Fundraising; Enterprise Risk Management; Succession Planning; Budgets; and Nonprofit Finances. APALI reserves the right to modify the course topics.

The successful applicant will be able to attend 90% of virtual classes, is an experienced professional, executive, program manager, elected or appointed official, or the equivalent.

Successful applicants will receive an email notification to pay the 2026 BLA non-refundable course fee:

$600 for individuals paying for their own participation in the six week course,

or

$1,200 for sponsoring organization/employer paying for an employee participating in the six week course.

Successful applicants, who are not sponsored by their organization/ employer, may request a $100 discount if their annual income falls below $78,500.

Online and In-Person Course Schedule

Online Class 1 • Thursday • Oct. 1, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

In-Person Cohort Retreat • Saturday • Oct. 3, 2026 • 10 AM - 3 PM

Online Class 2 • Thursday • Oct. 8, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Online Class 3 • Thursday • Oct. 15, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Online Class 4 • Thursday • Oct. 22, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Online Class 5 • Thursday • Oct. 29, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Online Class 6 • Thursday • Nov. 5, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

In-Person Celebration • Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Name

First NameLast Name

Preferred Name

Private Email for Communications from APALI

example@example.com

Public Email for Distribution to BLA Cohort (optional)

example@example.com

Phone Number

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Participant Home Address Information

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Background

Current Job Title

Company / Organization Name

Educational Degree(s)

School Name(s)

Please provide your LinkedIn link.

Have you participated in a prior APALI Program? (Mark all that apply.)

Board of Director Experience, Nonprofit Interests, and Reason for Applying

Have you in the past or do you currently sit on a for-profit or nonprofit board?

If "yes," please list the board(s) of directors on which you have served or are currently serving.

Nonprofit Board of Directors Fair: The final class typically includes a nonprofit board of directors fair, where nonprofits interested in board members attend the last class and pitch their organizations to you. Are you seeking nonprofit board opportunities? (Please select the answer that best describes your situation.)

What type of nonprofit are you interested in ? (Select all that apply.)

Other

NONPROFIT BOARD TIMELINE: How soon are you interested in serving on a nonprofit board of directors?

INSPIRATION TO APPLY: What inspires you to seek this training?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Please provide any additional comments or relevant information you would like to share, including awards, talents, and other community civic engagement in your background?

Please upload a recent headshot photo that may be published publicly if accepted for the program.

You warrant and represent that you own the rights to the uploaded photo. If you submit this application and are selected for this program, you grant APALI a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual license to use the uploaded photo for nonprofit purposes.

Please provide us with a short profile of 120 WORDS OR LESS that may be publicly published if accepted. Please (1) write in the third person and include (2) your current position (or if retired, your highest previous position), (3) an example of civic engagement that you would like to highlight, (4) the type of nonprofit board(s) that you are interested in or currently serve on, and (5) your educational degree(s) and institution(s).

SPONSORSHIP: The program fee, if accepted, for the APALI Board Leadership Academy is $600 for individuals and $1,200 for employer/organization sponsored participants. Do you have an organization, such as an organization that you are currently serving on the board or have an employer who will sponsor you?

INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM FEE DISCOUNT REQUEST: If you are applying as an individual participant, will you be requesting a program fee discount of $100 because your income falls below $78,500 per year.

How did you learn about the APALI Board Leadership Academy (if you were referred, please identify the person who referred you)?

What are your pronouns? (he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.)

What is your gender identity?

Ethnicity

Age

Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community?

Please PRINT your application for your reference.

"Submit" means: (1) I confirm that all information that I entered in this form is true and correct; (2) I consent to the classes being recorded; and (3) I grant permission to APALI to use my name, likeness, voice, public picture and profile (submitted in this application or subsequently provided), and contributions made during class for nonprofit purposes.

2026 APALI Board Leadership Academy Application

Participant Information

Public Photo and Profile

Demographic Information