Future Fund awards record $122k during 2025 grant cycle
Future Fund awards record $122k during 2025 grant cycle
Nonprofits serving children and youth in the Abilene community awarded Future Fund grants.
News
Foundation launches Nonprofit Leadership Academy
February 10, 2025
Community Foundation of Abilene has partnered with Angela Seaworth, Ph.D. to present the Nonprofit Leadership Academy of West-Central Texas (NLA).
Nonprofit Leadership Academy provides participants with expanded tools, knowledge, and connections to enhance their organization’s impact and sustainability.
"We are proud to pioneer the launch of Nonprofit Leadership Academy," said Katie Alford, CFA President/CEO. "We are confident that the program will be an investment for our nonprofit leaders and the Foundation."
2025 CLASS
- Adam Samuels – Abilene Education Foundation
- Ann Pippin – Stamford Carnegie Library
- Brady Harwell – Presbyterian Medical Care Mission
- Courtney Horton – Abilene Hope Haven
- Erin Seabourne – Hendrick Home for Children
- Gary Ford – Lyric Art Center
- Gay Abernathy – Santa Anna Park and Armory
- Jewellee Kuenstler – Museum of the West Texas Frontier
- Kayla Young – National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL)
- Kelly McCoy – All Kind Animal Initiative
- LaQuiera Gantt – Alliance for Women and Children
- Mashelle Ancell – Ben Richey Boys Ranch & Family Program
- Mikayla Spivey – 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum
- Miles Lourenco – Serenity Foundation of Texas
- Sissy Keith – The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter
- Sue Dossey – Coleman Public Library
- Taylor Roberts – Buffalo Gap Chamber of Commerce
The Foundation hopes to foster a collaborative environment during NLA where these professionals can build valuable relationships with their nonprofit peers, share experiences, and grow together. Angela Seaworth, Ph.D. of Seaworth Nonprofit Consulting, leads the cohort.
Dr. Seaworth has degrees from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She was the founding director of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice University. Dr. Seaworth is passionate about nonprofit and philanthropy education.
The Community Foundation of Abilene is making a wise investment in local nonprofit leadership. The NLA inaugural cohort participants are engaged in the work to strengthen their nonprofits, and they are committed leaders. This program will give them knowledge and tools they need to help make their organizations sustainable so they can provide much needed services for the citizens in rural West-Central Texas. I am delighted to partner with committed professionals like Meagan, Katie, and the entire CFA team, plus I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the leaders in Abilene.
Angela Seaworth, Ph.D.
Seaworth Nonprofit Consulting
The Academy began with an orientation on February 3-4, 2025, and will feature eight other sessions. Meagan Harris, CFA Rural Grants Manager, works with the cohort throughout the program.
- Session 1 - Nonprofit leadership
- Session 2 - Governance and leadership
- Session 3 - Organizational assessment
- Session 4 - Human capital
- Session 5 - Strategic planning
- Session 6 - Fund development
- Session 7 - Cohort working independently
- Session 8 - Nonprofit finance
- Session 9 - Best practices
This immersive, intensive learning experience was designed for current employees of nonprofits, regardless of size or mission.
For more information about NLA, visit cfabilene.org/NLA.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Meet Angela
Dr. Angela Seaworth is a nonprofit management professional who has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a fundraiser, consultant, and professor.
President at Seaworth Nonprofit Solutions, she offers consulting, coaching, and capacity building to various nonprofit organizations. She has been consulting for 15 years and now specializes in board governance, strategic planning, fundraising coaching for executives and boards, and organizational assessments. Dr. Seaworth has delivered more than 75 presentations or keynote speaking engagements to diverse audiences.
She has worked with a variety of organizations including foundations, private and public schools, chambers of commerce, ministries, health clinics, and arts and cultural institutions on nonprofit governance, strategic planning, capacity building, and organizational assessments. She is an Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE).
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