Leadership Ohio

What Leadership Ohio does

Leadership Ohio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 and headquartered in Blacklick, Ohio. It operates the state's first and most established statewide leadership development program, anchored by the Signature Fellowship Program, an eight-month immersive cohort experience consisting of eight 1.5-day regional sessions traversing Ohio. Each annual cohort accepts approximately 35 Fellows (32-36 typical range) from a nomination pool that reached nearly 200 for Class of 2026, sourced from senior leaders across business, government, nonprofits, education, healthcare, and community institutions. The 730+ alumni network forms the organization's primary long-term asset.

Beyond the fellowship, Leadership Ohio runs a multi-program portfolio: the Ohio Civic Health Initiative (anchored by the Ohio Civic Health Index 2026 baseline report, Civic Health Forums across five cities in 2026-2027, and the Civic Health Champions recognition program); the Join In civic revitalization tour and report (supported by a $35,000 America 250-Ohio Buckeye Impact Grant in 2024); the Catalyst 1803 digital alumni portal (launched 2024); an annual Alumni Homecoming & Awards event in Columbus; a speaker/presenter resources bureau; and the Leadership Circle annual giving campaign.

The business model is nonprofit-funded: a $100 non-refundable application fee per Fellow, tuition/sponsorship revenue underwriting the fellowship, plus donations, Leadership Circle contributions, and corporate/foundation sponsorships (FirstEnergy Foundation as presenting sponsor of the Civic Health Initiative; Cleveland Foundation, Ellis Family Fund, Columbus Foundation, Capital Square Foundation as supporting partners). Leadership Ohio maintains Candid's Gold Seal of Transparency (2023) and 100% trustee Charitable University certification. The organization underwent leadership transition in late 2025, with Lisa Duty, Ph.D. stepping down as Executive Director and Shon Christy (Class of 2021) serving as Interim Executive Director from November 2025; Kevin Smith was named CEO in June 2026.

Name

Leadership Ohio

Legal name

Leadership Ohio

Website

https://leadershipohio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Leadership Ohio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that runs an eight-month statewide leadership fellowship for senior Ohio leaders, alongside civic health research, regional forums, and alumni engagement programs serving 730+ alumni across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Volunteer Management & Alumni Leadership Programs (EDALAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adult/Public Speaking Clubs & Community Organizations (EDAMAOAI), Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Civic engagement initiatives
• Nonprofit fellowship programs
• Civic health research
• Community leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

Blacklick

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. Fellowship Program Fees: Leadership Ohio charges a $100 non-refundable application fee for the Signature Fellowship Program (Class of 2027). Tuition covers the eight-month immersive leadership development experience traversing Ohio.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization raises funds through its Leadership Circle annual giving campaign and general donations to support programming and organizational operations.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate and foundation sponsors support specific programs, events, and initiatives including the Ohio Civic Health Index, Civic Health Forums, and the annual Alumni Homecoming event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leadership Ohio runs the Signature Fellowship Program, an eight-month immersive leadership development experience comprising eight 1.5-day regional sessions that traverse Ohio. Fellows engage with influential business, community, and elected officials through behind-the-scenes access to correctional facilities, government institutions, and community organizations. The fellowship is supported by the Ohio Civic Health Initiative (Index report, regional Civic Health Forums, and Civic Health Champions recognition), the Join In civic revitalization program, the Catalyst 1803 alumni portal, and a Speaker/Presenter Resources bureau.

Product overview

Leadership Ohio operates as a single, unified nonprofit leadership development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offering is the Signature Fellowship Program, an eight-month immersive experience that traverses Ohio with eight sessions examining statewide issues. This is supported by the Ohio Civic Health Initiative, which includes the Ohio Civic Health Index report, regional civic health forums, and the Ohio Civic Health Champions recognition program. Additional offerings include the Join In civic revitalization program and report, the Catalyst 1803 digital alumni portal, the annual Alumni Homecoming & Awards event, a Speaker/Presenter Resources bureau, and the Leadership Circle annual giving campaign. Together, these programs provide leadership development, civic measurement, community recognition, alumni engagement, and fundraising capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Join In: A statewide initiative and report calling on Ohioans to re-engage with one another and reimagine community life through voluntary associations, featuring the documentary 'Join or Die'.
• Ohio Civic Health Initiative

Products and services

• Signature Fellowship Program Leadership Ohio's flagship eight-month leadership development program consisting of eight 1.5-day sessions traversing the state. Fellows engage with influential business, community, and elected officials through immersive experiences examining critical issues facing Ohio, including behind-the-scenes access to correctional facilities, government institutions, and community organizations.
• Ohio Civic Health Initiative A statewide initiative to measure and strengthen civic participation across Ohio, including the Ohio Civic Health Index report, civic health forums in five cities, and the Ohio Civic Health Champions recognition program.
• Ohio Civic Health Index 2026 An annual or periodic report measuring civic health indicators across Ohio, including participation, connectedness, and trust metrics. The 2026 edition establishes a baseline for the state's civic health.
• Join In: Revitalizing Civic Life A statewide tour and published report encouraging Ohioans to re-engage with civic traditions through viewings and discussions of the documentary 'Join or Die,' combined with community toolkit resources for starting or joining civic associations.
• Ohio Civic Health Champions A recognition initiative honoring everyday Ohioans who exemplify civic capacity building by bringing people together, increasing engagement, and creating lasting community impact across five evaluation domains.
• Catalyst 1803 Alumni Portal A digital alumni portal and online community platform where Leadership Ohio alumni can virtually gather, network, and launch initiatives across the state.
• Speaker/Presenter Resources Bureau A speaker bureau connecting organizations with experienced professionals from Leadership Ohio's statewide network of alumni for keynote presentations, panel discussions, workshops, retreat facilitation, and executive leadership sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 730+ leaders graduated since 1992 serving in key roles statewide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PorchlytcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Exclusive multimedia content partnership through December 31, 2026. Porchlyt serves as Leadership Ohio's exclusive multimedia content partner to capture and share stories of leadership, civic engagement, and community impact.
• National Civic Engagement Alliance (NCoC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partner organization providing research and frameworks for civic health measurement and civic engagement best practices.
• Ohio Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Supporting partner for civic health and economic competitiveness initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aspen Institute: The Aspen Institute runs cross-sector leadership and civic dialogue programs (including Aspen Executive Leadership Seminars and community-focused initiatives). It is comparable to Leadership Ohio as a nonprofit leadership/civic development organization, though at a national rather than statewide scale.
• Points of Light: Points of Light is a national nonprofit focused on volunteerism and civic engagement, operating recognition programs, convenings, and corporate volunteering infrastructure. It is comparable to Leadership Ohio through the shared civic health and volunteer engagement mission, and through programs that recognize community leaders.
• Leadership Louisville Center: Leadership Louisville Center is one of the longest-running community leadership development programs in the U.S., offering cohort-based fellowships and civic engagement programs. It is comparable as a peer statewide/regional leadership fellowship model operating in a different state.
• Leadership Pittsburgh: Leadership Pittsburgh runs multi-month cohort-based leadership development programs for senior regional leaders. It is comparable as a directly analogous community leadership fellowship model serving a different metropolitan/state geography.
• National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC): NCoC is a confirmed partner of Leadership Ohio and provides research and frameworks for civic health measurement. It is comparable as the primary national convener on civic health indices and engagement measurement, mirroring Leadership Ohio's Ohio Civic Health Initiative.
• Public Agenda: Public Agenda is a nonprofit research and engagement organization focused on civic participation, democratic dialogue, and community problem-solving. It is comparable to Leadership Ohio through shared mission emphasis on civic engagement research and bridging divides.

Others

• America250 (U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission): America250 is the federal commission coordinating America's 250th anniversary, which awarded Leadership Ohio a $35K Buckeye Impact Grant. It is comparable as a funder/convener in the civic engagement space rather than a direct competitor.
• Independent Sector: Independent Sector is the national membership organization for nonprofits and philanthropic foundations, providing research, advocacy, and convening. It is comparable as infrastructure for the nonprofit sector in which Leadership Ohio operates, but serves a much broader audience.
• Columbus Foundation: The Columbus Foundation is a major Ohio community foundation and confirmed supporting partner of Leadership Ohio's civic engagement initiatives. It is comparable as a funder and convener in the same Ohio civic ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps): The federal agency administers national service programs (AmeriCorps, Senior Corps) and grants that fund civic engagement. It is comparable as the dominant federal civic service infrastructure but operates at a vastly larger scale than Leadership Ohio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Leadership Ohio