What Association of Leadership Programs does

The Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) is a Seattle-based nonprofit membership association founded in February 2010 as the successor to the dissolved Community Leadership Association. ALP operates a national network connecting community leadership programs (CLPs) and the professionals who staff them, serving 300+ member organizations and 800+ individuals across 45 US states plus Canada, Australia, and Germany. Its core products include tiered organizational membership ($225-$1,000 based on budget), the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) certification with 50+ hours of coursework, the annual National Conference (Omaha 2026, Cleveland 2027), seven affinity groups, monthly Leadership Connections webinars, a searchable member database, and a resource library.

ALP runs on a distributed, part-time operational model with just two staff (Executive Director C. Marie Taylor since November 2025 and Director of Membership Experience Zoë Lewis-Monkman since September 2024) plus a volunteer Board of Directors. Revenue is generated through membership dues (primary recurring stream), conference registration fees ($289-$879 per attendee), CCLP course and exam fees ($175-$1,000), E-Store sales, and donations through the Lura J. Hammond Sustainability Fund and Leadership Program Assistance Fund. The technology backbone is MembersLeap, a third-party association management platform powering membership, event registration, and resource access. Add-on partnerships include ODP Business Solutions for office supply discounts, LeadersAtlas for AI-powered impact storytelling, and content collaborations with Civity and the National Leadership Network for civil discourse training.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on peer recommendations within the field, annual conferences as major acquisition/retention touchpoints, affinity group participation, and targeted member communications. Strategic priorities include expanding the CCLP curriculum (two new Signature Series courses in March 2026), deepening partnerships around the 'Building Social Trust Across Difference' initiative, and rotating the national conference across geographies to broaden member reach. The organization has 65+ years of institutional history in the community leadership movement and continues to position itself as the definitive connection source for the field.

Name

Association of Leadership Programs

Legal name

Association of Leadership Programs

Website

https://alpleaders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association of Leadership Programs is a nonprofit membership association founded in 2010 that connects 300+ community leadership programs and 800+ professionals across 45 US states, offering tiered membership, CCLP certification, annual conferences, and peer learning through affinity groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Membership Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Community leadership programs
• Membership association services
• Leadership professional certification
• Nonprofit network development
• Civic leadership conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues paid by leadership organizations based on tiered budget levels ($225-$1,000), individual members ($250), nonprofits ($450), and businesses ($500). This is the primary recurring revenue stream.
2. National Conference Registration: Revenue from conference registration fees for the annual National Conference. Pricing varies by membership status, early bird periods, and daily rates ($289-$879).
3. CCLP Certification Program: Revenue from the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) certification program, including CORE training ($700 member), Signature Series courses ($175 each), application/exam fees ($300), and re-certification fees ($200).
4. E-Store Sales: Revenue from the online store selling conference and educational materials, plus partnerships with ODP Business Solutions for office supply discounts to members.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Donations through designated funds including the Lura J. Hammond Sustainability Fund and the ALP Leadership Program Assistance Fund for scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ALP is a national membership association that supports community leadership programs (CLPs) through tiered membership, professional certification (CCLP), an annual national conference, monthly virtual learning sessions (Leadership Connections), seven peer affinity groups, a searchable member database, and a resource library. Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness of community leadership programs and the professionals who run them.

Product overview

The Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) operates a membership-based network for community leadership programs, offering a tiered membership structure (ranging from $225 to $1,000 annually based on organizational budget), premium Pacesetters membership, and the Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) certification program. The core portfolio includes the CCLP certification (with CORE Training and 8 Signature Series courses totaling 50 hours plus exam), annual National Conference, seven Affinity Groups for peer networking, monthly Leadership Connections webinars, a searchable member database, and a Resource Library. Add-on services include the ODP Business Solutions discount program for office supplies, conference registration assistance through the Leadership Program Assistance Fund, and the Lura J. Hammond Sustainability Fund for operational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCLP (Certified Community Leadership Practitioner): Professional certification program for community leadership program professionals, including CORE training, Signature Series coursework, and certification exam.

Products and services

• Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) Certification Program Professional certification for community leadership program professionals requiring 50 hours of coursework (16-hour CORE training, 24-hour Signature Series, 10-hour electives) plus passing a certification exam, with re-certification every three years.
• Annual National Conference Annual in-person gathering of community leadership professionals featuring keynotes, workshops, networking, and professional development, with tiered registration pricing by membership status and organization budget size.
• Affinity Groups Seven virtual peer communities for members with shared interests that meet quarterly via Zoom, including Alumni Engagement, BIPOC Leaders, Chamber-Based Programs, Development, Flagship (Signature) Programs, Statewide Programs, and Youth Programs.
• Leadership Organization Membership Tiered annual membership for community leadership programs based on budget level, ranging from $225 (under $75K budget) to $1,000 (over $950K budget), providing access to conferences, webinars, member directory, resource library, and affinity groups.
• Leadership Connections (Monthly Webinars) Monthly virtual learning sessions featuring webinars and best practice sharing on leadership topics, enabling members to learn from industry leaders remotely.
• Signature Series Courses Eight specialized four-hour courses ($175 member / $300 non-member) building on CCLP CORE Training fundamentals, covering leadership theories, facilitation techniques, adult learning, financial management, board governance, conflict navigation, storytelling, and human-centered leadership.
• CCLP CORE Training Course Four-session foundational training ($700 member / $1,000 non-member) covering five modules: Program Scope, Program Specifics, Program Strategies, Program Systems, and Program Sustainability, required as part of CCLP certification.
• Searchable Member Database Searchable directory and benchmarking database enabling members to locate other programs and access data on member organizations for comparison and networking.
• Resource Library Members-only repository of downloadable materials, training resources, and program documents for strengthening and growing leadership programs.
• Pacesetters Premium Membership Premium membership tier for progressive ALP members serving as industry exemplars, requiring an additional $500 contribution above regular dues and including monthly virtual meetings with like-minded executives.
• ODP Business Solutions Program Office supply purchasing program offering members up to 55% off office supplies, 30% off ink and toner, and free next-day shipping on orders of $20 or more through partnership with ODP Business Solutions.
• Individual Membership Annual membership at $250 for individual consultants not on staff at a Community Leadership Program, providing access to ALP resources and network.
• Nonprofit Membership Annual membership at $450 for nonprofits without a Community Leadership Program, providing access to ALP resources and network.
• Business Membership Annual membership at $500 for for-profit organizations, providing access to ALP resources and network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ professionals have earned CCLP designation since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Cleveland Leadership CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Host partner for the 2027 ALP National Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. CLC builds a continuum of civic leaders committed to the community's excellence through collaborative leadership training, civic education, and connections spanning four generations.
• Greater Omaha ChamberflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host partner for the 2026 ALP National Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The chamber's commitment to fostering leadership, economic vitality, and community connections makes Omaha the ideal host city.
• National Leadership Network (NLN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to enhance alumni learning opportunities during the National Conference. Supports the Building Social Trust Across Difference initiative, fostering community connections across the network of community leadership alumni.
• CivitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration to enhance traditional community leadership program (CLP) practices with innovative civil discourse training. Partnership supports the Building Social Trust Across Difference initiative, preparing individuals for constructive cross-perspective conversations.
• Leadership OmahaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal host for the 2026 National Conference Welcome Reception at the Kiewit Luminarium. Provides conference excursions and local programming for attendees.
• National Civic LeagueminorOthersAdditional partnership established to support community leadership programs and initiatives.
• AmazonminorOthersCorporate partner providing support for community leadership initiatives. Amazon's Community Captains Model presented at 2026 conference. Cornhusker Catalyst sponsor level for 2026 conference.
• ODP Business SolutionsminorOthersFormerly Office Depot, provides up to 55% off office supplies, 30% off ink & toner, and free next-day shipping for ALP members through the ODP Business Solutions Program.
• Greenleaf Center for Servant LeadershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partnership from 2010-2012 delivering specialized educational training. Collaborated on the 2011 National Conference and received joint grant to support the annual conference in Indianapolis in 1999.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Independent Sector: Independent Sector is a national membership organization for nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Similar nonprofit association business model with policy, convening, and benchmarking services to member organizations.
• Points of Light: Points of Light is a large nonprofit focused on civic engagement, volunteering, and service. Broader scale and scope than ALP, but overlapping mission around community leadership development and member/network-based programming.
• Young Presidents' Organization: YPO is a global leadership development peer organization for chief executives. Overlaps with ALP's mission around developing leaders and operates comparable premium-membership, peer-group, and event-driven programming at much larger scale.
• American Chamber of Commerce Executives: ACCE is the parent organization from which the community leadership movement originated under the late 1950s. ACCE serves chamber of commerce executives, including the 35% of ALP members who run chamber-based CLPs, making it the most natural broad-incumbent peer.

Direct peers

• National Civic League: National Civic League is an ALP partner organization focused on civic engagement, community governance, and democratic practice. Directly comparable membership-association model addressing community leadership from a related angle.
• BoardSource: BoardSource is a nonprofit membership association providing training, certification, and resources for nonprofit board leaders. Highly comparable operating model (membership dues, conferences, certification, resource library) to ALP's CCLP model.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals: AFP is a large professional association for fundraising professionals with a similar membership-and-certification model (CFRE credential). Conceptually comparable to ALP's CCLP, with scaled membership revenue and chapter structure.
• National Council of Nonprofits: National Council of Nonprofits is a network of state and regional nonprofit associations providing capacity-building resources. Comparable member-of-members association model with similar membership tiers, conferences, and advocacy.
• Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership: Greenleaf is a historical ALP partner (2010-2012) and a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to advancing servant leadership. Comparable member-based nonprofit model with training, conferences, and certification-adjacent programming.
• International Leadership Association: ILA is a global nonprofit membership association for leadership scholars and practitioners, operating with a similar member-based model (dues, conferences, publications, communities of practice). Directly comparable mission, structure, and revenue mix to ALP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ALPleaders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-leadership-programs
• Xx.com/ALPLeaders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Leadership Programs