Why CLI?

Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) shows you a Cleveland you have never seen before and expands your network by connecting you to the people, places and projects moving Cleveland forward. It provides a strong foundation for your professional and civic advancements.

Through a series of short sessions (held at various location throughout downtown Cleveland), you’ll get exclusive insight into what’s going on in the civic community straight from the people directly involved in the civic and corporate infrastructures at the highest level.

What you’ll gain:

  • New, timely insights and knowledge about current topics.
  • A greater understanding of how national/regional circumstances impacting business.
  • Opportunities to meet and interact with top civic and business leaders in small group settings.
  • Personal fulfillment from being more engaged in your community.

See what past participants have said about their experience.

See what employers are saying.

Cost
$600 For-profit tuition
$350 Nonprofit tuition

Scholarships are available to ensure participation is accessible to all. Learn more about the available scholarship funds.

  • Spring 2025 Schedule (Friday morning sessions)

    Opening Reception
    Thursday, April 24, 2025
    5:30-7:30 p.m.

    Session 1 – Regional Economy
    Friday, April 25, 2025
    8:00-10:00 a.m.

    Session 2 – Education
    Friday, May 2, 2025
    8:00-10:00 a.m.

    Session 3 – Health & Human Services
    Friday, May 9, 2025
    8:00-10:00 a.m.

    Session 4 – Quality of Life
    Friday, May 16, 2025
    8:00-10:00 a.m.

    Session 5 – Government/Public Sector
    Thursday, May 22, 2025
    8:00-10:00 a.m.

    Session 6 – Cleveland Neighborhoods
    Thursday, May 29, 2025
    4:30-6:30 p.m.
    Closing Reception immediately afterwards

    REGISTER >

The CLI difference

At the end of each cohort, participants indicate their level of agreement with a series of statements before and after the program. The charts below indicate the percentage of participants who agreed or strongly agreed with these specific statements.

I am able to use information about the community to envision Cleveland’s future.

I am able to think critically about how relationships between civic assets, issues, and stakeholders impact the health of the community.

To learn more about CLC’s evaluation process, visit our Impact page.

To learn more about CLI, email Andrew Singer or call (216) 592-2281.

Civic Leadership Institute

Get the scoop on what’s happening. Get connected to those making it happen. Get involved. To learn more, email Andrew Singer at asinger@cleveleads.org or call (216) 592-2281.

Register

Additional Resources

In their words

“It’s an introductory course that scratches the surface of the work that is going on behind the scenes to make Cleveland a better place for the people who live here and the people that want to make it their new home. CLI gives a glimpse into this world that could take years of Friday sessions if someone wanted to dig deeper. It helps you to identify a cause that you care about or that is close to you so you can pick a path.”

CLI Participant, 2024