Leadership Philadelphia
Leadership Philadelphia is a civic leadership development nonprofit founded in 1959 that runs the flagship Core Program cohort experience for roughly 150 Philadelphia professionals annually, operates the Nonprofit Collaborative membership program for regional nonprofits, and stewards a 5,000+ alumni network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Leadership Philadelphia does
Leadership Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civic leadership development organization headquartered in Philadelphia and founded in 1959 originally as the Community Leadership Seminar Program by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The organization was subsequently renamed the Center for Community Leadership and ultimately Leadership Philadelphia, and became an independent nonprofit in 1978 after a period of affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania. It operates as the flagship member of the Leadership Philadelphia Network, a coalition of regional leadership programs, and serves emerging and established civic leaders across the Philadelphia region.
The organization's core product is the Core Program, an annual multi-month cohort experience designed to develop civic leadership skills among Philadelphia professionals. The most recently announced cohort (2026-2027) includes roughly 150 participants selected through a competitive admissions process with sponsor recommendations. A second product line, the Nonprofit Collaborative, is a membership-based program that convenes Philadelphia-area nonprofits for shared learning and capacity building. The organization also stewards an alumni network of more than 5,000 graduates whose members include sitting and former Philadelphia mayors, Fortune 500 executives, civic institution leaders, and nonprofit executives.
Leadership Philadelphia's business model rests on three revenue streams: tuition and fees paid by individual Core Program participants, Nonprofit Collaborative membership dues from member organizations, and philanthropic donations from alumni, corporate sponsors, and foundations. The organization is governed as a 501(c)(3) and operates with a small professional staff. There is no productized technology platform, software offering, or proprietary AI tooling disclosed; the value proposition is delivered through in-person programming, facilitated convenings, and the durable social capital of the alumni network.
Leadership Philadelphia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Leadership Philadelphia
- Legal name
- LEADERSHIP Philadelphia
- Website
- https://leadershipphiladelphia.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Leadership Philadelphia is a civic leadership development nonprofit founded in 1959 that runs the flagship Core Program cohort experience for roughly 150 Philadelphia professionals annually, operates the Nonprofit Collaborative membership program for regional nonprofits, and stewards a 5,000+ alumni network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Leadership Philadelphia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civic Leadership Development
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams) (EDABANAF)
Keywords
Where Leadership Philadelphia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Leadership Philadelphia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Core Program Tuition: Annual program tuition of $8,800 for the 9-month Core Program running September through June. Includes immersive civic experiences, leadership development, and nonprofit board placement. Nonprofit leaders may qualify for discounted tuition rates based on organization size.
- Nonprofit Collaborative Membership: Annual membership fee of $250 providing access to board recruitment support, curated alumni introductions, Core Class presentations, board observation opportunities, Pay It Forward volunteer projects, event invitations, and newsletter recognition.
- Application Fee: Non-refundable $500 application fee for Core Program candidates. Upon acceptance, the remaining balance is due by August 31, 2026.
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted with employer matching support. United Way Annual Campaign designated recipient option available (donor option number: 09089).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Core Program - Full Tuition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Core Program - Nonprofit Discount |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Nonprofit Collaborative Annual Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Leadership Philadelphia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LEADERSHIP Philadelphia operates a 9-month annual Core Program (September through June, $8,800 tuition) that brings together approximately 150 mid-career and senior professionals from business, government, and nonprofit sectors for civic leadership development, including behind-the-scenes experiences at Philadelphia institutions, governance training, and nonprofit board placement. The organization also runs the Nonprofit Collaborative, a $250/year membership program that matches Core Program alumni and Fellows with regional nonprofits seeking board members and skilled volunteers.
Product overview
Leadership Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization offering two primary programs: the Core Program (a flagship civic leadership development program with monthly sessions from September to June, serving approximately 150 professionals annually at a tuition of $8,800) and the Nonprofit Collaborative (a membership program facilitating connections between alumni seeking board positions and regional nonprofits, with a $250 annual membership fee). The organization operates as a deeply trusted convener and thought leader, maintaining an alumni network of over 4,000 members who serve as regional connectors and catalysts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Core Program The flagship 9-month civic leadership development program (September through June) of LEADERSHIP Philadelphia that brings together approximately 150 leaders annually from business, government, and nonprofit sectors for behind-the-scenes civic experiences at iconic Philadelphia locations, governance skills training, and nonprofit board placement. Tuition is $8,800 per participant for the 2026-2027 cohort, with a non-refundable $500 application fee and potential tuition discounts for nonprofit leaders.
- Nonprofit Collaborative An annual membership program ($250/year) that connects LEADERSHIP Philadelphia alumni and Fellows with regional nonprofit organizations seeking board members and skilled volunteers. Members receive board recruitment support, curated alumni introductions, Core Class presentations, board observation opportunities, Pay It Forward volunteer projects, event invitations, and newsletter recognition.
- Alumni Network & Events An ongoing community of more than 4,000 LEADERSHIP Philadelphia alumni who serve as trusted regional connectors and catalysts, supported by monthly alumni newsletters, Connector and Keeper programming, and alumni events with regional leaders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 4,000 alumni network members actively engaged as regional connectors
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Leadership Philadelphia
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Leadership Philadelphia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Leadership Philadelphia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Leadership Philadelphia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- BoardSource: National nonprofit focused on nonprofit board governance, leadership, and recruitment — directly aligned with Leadership Philadelphia's Nonprofit Collaborative board-matching value proposition, though at a national scale rather than Philadelphia-specific.
- Net Impact: Professional network for emerging leaders in social impact and sustainability, offering leadership development programming. Comparable audience demographic (career-stage professionals seeking civic/social impact pathways) though delivered more digitally and nationally.
Regional players
- The Philadelphia Foundation: Community foundation serving the Philadelphia region that convenes civic, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders. Adjacent to Leadership Philadelphia's convening role, with overlapping alumni/donor networks in the same region.
- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Regional community impact organization in the same Philadelphia geography that mobilizes private-sector talent and corporate giving for the social sector. Operates as an adjacent regional civic engagement institution rather than a direct cohort program competitor.
- Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce: Regional business membership organization convening Philadelphia's business leadership, including civic policy and leadership programming. Comparable audience (senior business leaders) and geographic focus but oriented toward business interests rather than cross-sector civic development.
Direct peers
- Leadership Atlanta: One of the oldest civic leadership development programs in the U.S. (founded 1975), running an annual cohort for established leaders in metro Atlanta with a cross-sector, immersive format that directly mirrors Leadership Philadelphia's Core Program model.
- Leadership Greater Chicago: Long-running civic leadership program serving the Chicago region with a cohort model and behind-the-scenes access for established cross-sector leaders — a structurally identical peer in another major U.S. city.
Broad incumbents
- Independent Sector: National membership organization for nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs that convenes leaders across the charitable sector. Comparable to Leadership Philadelphia in its role as a cross-sector convenor, but at a national advocacy scale.
- Aspen Institute: National nonprofit running multiple long-form leadership fellowship programs (e.g., Aspen Fellows, Henry Crown Fellowship) that develop established leaders across sectors. Operates as a broader portfolio of leadership initiatives compared with Leadership Philadelphia's single city focus.
Others
- Young Presidents' Organization (YPO): Global peer network for chief executives offering cohort-based leadership development, peer learning, and convening. Comparable in targeting senior leaders with cohort experiences but operates commercially and globally rather than as a regional civic nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Leadership Philadelphia social profiles
Digital presenceLeadership Philadelphia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Leadership Philadelphia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Leadership Philadelphia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Leadership Philadelphia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Leadership Philadelphia
What does Leadership Philadelphia do?
LEADERSHIP Philadelphia operates a 9-month annual Core Program (September through June, $8,800 tuition) that brings together approximately 150 mid-career and senior professionals from business, government, and nonprofit sectors for civic leadership development, including behind-the-scenes experiences at Philadelphia institutions, governance training, and nonprofit board placement. The organization also runs the Nonprofit Collaborative, a $250/year membership program that matches Core Program alumni and Fellows with regional nonprofits seeking board members and skilled volunteers.
Is Leadership Philadelphia a public or private company?
Leadership Philadelphia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Leadership Philadelphia founded?
Leadership Philadelphia was founded in 1959. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Leadership Philadelphia based?
Leadership Philadelphia is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Leadership Philadelphia make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Core Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are nonprofit Collaborative Membership, application Fee and donations.
Who are Leadership Philadelphia's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are BoardSource and Net Impact. Regional players are The Philadelphia Foundation, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Direct peers are Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Greater Chicago. Broad incumbents are Independent Sector and Aspen Institute. Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) is listed as an others.
Does Leadership Philadelphia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Leadership Philadelphia.
What industry is Leadership Philadelphia in?
Leadership Philadelphia's product category is Civic Leadership Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABANAF, Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.