CIVIC Leadership Institute

What CIVIC Leadership Institute does

CIVIC Leadership Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, that develops regional executive leadership in Hampton Roads. Its flagship Executive Program is an 8-month cohort experience running September through May, selecting approximately 50 senior executives (C-suite, military O-6 and above, nonprofit CEOs, public sector heads) per class through a nomination-based process administered by a committee of alumni. The program delivers monthly program days across the region covering government, economy, defense, education, transportation, and nonprofit sectors, and culminates in Community Impact Initiatives projects.

The organization's product portfolio comprises four interconnected lines: the Executive Program (8-month flagship, $3,000 tuition), CIVIC Scholars (a collegiate leadership program for undergraduate students at five partner universities, expanded regionally in May 2026), two paid professional development courses for alumni and nonprofit leaders (Leadership in Practice at $3,000 and Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp at $1,500), and signature events (Darden Awards and Founders' Luncheon) that draw 500-550 regional executives. Alumni membership operates on two tiers (Darden and Fellow) with annual dues, and the network comprises 1,200+ regional leaders built over 30 years.

CIVIC generates revenue from a mix of program tuition, corporate event sponsorships (TowneBank Title Sponsor, Sentara Health Visionary Sponsor), alumni membership dues, donations to the Darden Fund including monthly sustainer contributions, and program fees. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, operates with a small 4-5 person staff led by President & CEO Mary Kate Andris (Class of 2018), and distributes all services directly through in-person delivery across Hampton Roads without reseller or intermediary channels.

Name

CIVIC Leadership Institute

Legal name

CIVIC Leadership Institute

Website

https://civichr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CIVIC Leadership Institute is a Hampton Roads nonprofit founded in 1994 that runs an 8-month executive leadership program for senior regional leaders, a CIVIC Scholars collegiate program across five universities, alumni membership, and signature events, supported by a 1,200+ alumni network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development Programs

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Executive leadership development
• Regional leadership programs
• Community leadership training
• Nonprofit executive education
• Collegiate civic engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership with two levels: Darden Level (complimentary admission to five program days and all alumni events) and Fellow Level (complimentary admission to two program days and reduced event admission).
2. Executive Program Tuition: 8-month executive leadership program with tuition of $3,000 per participant.
3. Donations and Fundraising: One-time donations to the Darden Fund, monthly sustainer contributions, and stock donations accepted.
4. Professional Development Programs: Leadership in Practice course ($3,000) and Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp ($1,500) offered to alumni and nonprofit leaders.
5. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for program days, Darden Awards, and Founders' Luncheon events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CIVIC Leadership Institute is a Hampton Roads nonprofit that develops regional executive and collegiate leaders through an 8-month cohort-based Executive Program for senior executives, a year-long CIVIC Scholars program for undergraduates at partner universities, professional development courses for alumni and nonprofit leaders, and signature community events. Programs are funded through individual tuition, annual alumni membership dues, donations, and corporate event sponsorships, and culminate in collaborative Community Impact Initiatives addressing regional priorities. The organization operates a 1,200+ alumni network spanning business, government, military, education, and nonprofit sectors across the Hampton Roads region.

Product overview

CIVIC Leadership Institute operates a platform of interconnected leadership development programs. The flagship Executive Program is an 8-month intensive for senior executives, complemented by the CIVIC Scholars college program and its Mentor Link mentorship component. Community Impact Initiatives enable participants to work on regional priorities. A suite of professional development courses (Leadership in Practice, Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp) serve alumni and nonprofit leaders. Signature events (Darden Awards, Founders' Luncheon) celebrate regional leadership and build community. Alumni membership provides ongoing engagement with the 1,200+ member network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Executive Program: An 8-month leadership program for senior executives in Hampton Roads, running from September to May annually, with approximately 50 participants per class
• CIVIC Scholars
• Darden Awards
• Founders' Luncheon
• Leadership in Practice
• Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp

Products and services

• Executive Program Flagship 8-month leadership development program (September to May) that annually selects approximately 50 senior executive leaders from Hampton Roads for monthly program days covering government, economy, defense, education, transportation, industry, nonprofits, and the arts. Includes Community Impact Initiatives projects and access to the 1,200+ alumni network.
• CIVIC Scholars Year-long collegiate leadership program for undergraduates at CIVIC partner universities (Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Regent University, Batten University/Virginia Wesleyan University, Tidewater Community College). Includes skills-based workshops, civic experiences, industry site visits, leadership growth, and professional development.
• Mentor Link Experience Mentorship component of CIVIC Scholars that pairs Scholars with executive mentors drawn from the current CIVIC Executive class or alumni, providing career guidance, civic engagement advice, professionalism support, and cross-generational social support.
• Leadership in Practice Cohort-based elevated leadership course for CIVIC Executive Alumni with reflection, coaching, peer learning, and real-world application. Includes one private 1:1 coaching session, two group executive coaching sessions, and four cohort sessions (Sept-Dec 2026). Priced at $3,000.
• Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp Cohort-based five-session leadership course for nonprofit CEOs in their first 18 months, covering governance, fundraising, financial leadership, and organizational growth. Presented in partnership with the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence. Priced at $1,500.
• Alumni Membership Annual CIVIC alumni membership with two tiers: Darden Level (complimentary admission to five program days and all alumni events) and Fellow Level (complimentary admission to two program days and reduced event admission).

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 executives graduate annually from the 8-month Executive Program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Norfolk State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Norfolk State University joined as a new institutional partner for the CIVIC Scholars regional program expansion in May 2026. The university partners with CIVIC to provide leadership development opportunities for undergraduate students.
• Regent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Regent University joined as a new institutional partner for the CIVIC Scholars regional program expansion in May 2026. Dr. Adam Williams, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, expressed enthusiasm for providing professional development and community engagement opportunities for Regent students.
• Batten University (formerly Virginia Wesleyan University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Virginia Wesleyan University (becoming Batten University July 1) joined as a new institutional partner for the CIVIC Scholars regional program expansion in May 2026. The Jane P. Batten Honors College is particularly involved in the partnership.
• Old Dominion UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Dominion University is a supporting partner of CIVIC Leadership Institute. The university hosts CIVIC offices in Innovation Research Park II on ODU's campus. ODU serves as the founding partner for CIVIC Scholars program (launched 2013) and provides an ODU Liaison to CIVIC's Board of Directors.
• Tidewater Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTidewater Community College is a long-standing institutional partner for the CIVIC Scholars program, participating since the program's expansion beyond Old Dominion University.
• TowneBankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTowneBank serves as the Title Sponsor for the Darden Awards for Regional Leadership, demonstrating their commitment to recognizing regional leadership excellence in Hampton Roads.
• Kandu LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKandu Leadership partners with CIVIC to present the Leadership in Practice professional development course, an elevated leadership course for CIVIC Executive Alumni.
• Academy for Nonprofit ExcellencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy for Nonprofit Excellence partners with CIVIC to present the Nonprofit Executive Bootcamp, a targeted leadership course designed for nonprofit CEOs in their first 18 months.
• Sentara HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSentara Health serves as a Visionary Sponsor for the Darden Awards, supporting regional leadership recognition initiatives.
• Virginia Stage CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia Stage Company partners with CIVIC for events including hosting the Class of 2027 Welcome Event at the Wells Theatre.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Center for Creative Leadership: Large, established global leadership development research and education organization offering executive programs and coaching — broader portfolio than CIVIC but operates in overlapping executive leadership development space.
• The Aspen Institute: Major policy and leadership nonprofit running cohort-based civic leadership programs (e.g., Aspen Fellows) and convening senior leaders — overlaps with CIVIC's civic leadership convening role but at much greater scale and breadth.

Direct peers

• Leadership Metro Richmond: Regional leadership development nonprofit serving the greater Richmond, Virginia area with multi-month executive cohorts and alumni programming — nearly identical model to CIVIC, just in an adjacent Virginia metro.
• Leadership Charlotte: Long-running regional leadership development organization in Charlotte, NC running flagship multi-month executive cohorts plus community impact projects — directly analogous to CIVIC's Executive Program and Community Impact Initiatives.
• Leadership Atlanta: Premier regional leadership program in Atlanta with multi-decade alumni network and annual executive cohort model, plus community impact programming — closely parallels CIVIC's structure and mission.
• Leadership Nashville: Nashville-based regional leadership development nonprofit running flagship executive cohorts with community impact projects and alumni programming — same playbook CIVIC operates in Hampton Roads.
• Leadership Pittsburgh: Regional leadership institute serving the Pittsburgh metro through executive cohorts and community engagement programming, with an established alumni network — comparable regional model to CIVIC.
• Coro Foundation: National civic leadership development organization with cohort-based programs placing diverse leaders across sectors — comparable cohort-driven civic leadership development model with broader geographic reach.

Others

• Old Dominion University: Host university of CIVIC's headquarters and founding partner of CIVIC Scholars; an ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor, but provides a useful reference point for regional higher-ed leadership programming.

Regional players

• Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce: Regional business membership organization serving Hampton Roads executives and employers — overlaps with CIVIC's regional executive audience and sponsorships but focuses broadly on business advocacy rather than cohort-based leadership development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/civic_hr
• Facebookfacebook.com/CIVICLeadershipInstituteVA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/civic-leadership-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/civic.leadership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIVIC Leadership Institute