Emerging Community Leaders

United Is the Way We Lift Up Our Community

Emerging Community Leaders (ECL) is a free leadership development program for young professionals who want to make a difference in Champaign County through nonprofit volunteerism.

We welcome participants from all backgrounds, workplaces, and industries—anyone passionate about strengthening our community. Since its launch 18 years ago, more than 900 people have graduated from ECL and gone on to serve as volunteers, committee members, and nonprofit board leaders.

About the Program

ECL is structured like a class—but without grades or tests! In the spring, you’ll join a cohort of young professionals (ages 21–40ish) for five engaging seminars:

  1. Finding Your Why

  2. Nonprofit Basics

  3. How to Be an Effective Board/Committee Member

  4. Fundraising for Impact

  5. Accountability & Leadership in the Community

Along the way, you’ll work on a team project addressing a real community challenge identified by United Way. You’ll also connect with peers through volunteer and social events, and wrap up the program with a special graduation celebration.

ECL Program Overview
ECL@Illinois Program Overview 

ECL @ Illinois is made available to University of Illinois employees through support of the UIUC Office of Public Engagement and the Chancellor's Office.  HERE is a link to the introductory session will be held on Tuesday, March 3 for all those eligible to participate in ECL @ Illinois. Employees working in an extra help or academic hourly capacity are not eligible, but are welcome to apply for the traditional Emerging Community Leaders program.

What You’ll Gain

By the end of the program, you’ll:

  • Understand how nonprofits work in Champaign County

  • Be prepared to serve as an effective volunteer, board, or committee member

  • Strengthen your leadership and collaboration skills

  • Build friendships and connections with fellow ECL participants

Time Commitment

The program runs April through June. Participants attend five seminars and dedicate time to their team project (about two hours per week). Attendance requirements apply.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 ECL and ECL@Illinois Programs are now open. 

  • Applications will remain open until 12PM CT, March 9. 

  • Review the Program Overview

  • Complete the form below or click HERE to open the form in another tab. 

  • Partial submissions will not be saved, so plan to complete the form in its entirety. 

  • Your letter of recommendation may be sent at a later date as long as it is received by the application close date (March 9). You or the person making the recommendation can email it to anne@unitedwaychampaign.org.

  • Don't forget to click "Submit My ECL Application!" 

For questions, contact Anne Clark Skuse.

Which program is right for me?

Emerging Community Leaders - Open to all community members in the C-U and surrounding areas who can meet the in-person attendance requirements with many events in Champaign. Participants must be 21 years old and the suggested age range is about 21-40, which matches expectations for professional and community experience to fit the program.

ECL @ Illinois - Open only to UIUC employees and programming is offered on campus during the lunch hour. There is no suggested participant age range. At this time, employees working in an extra help or academic hourly capacity are not eligible to participate in ECL @ Illinois - we welcome you to apply for our Emerging Community Leaders program.

Both Emerging Community Leaders options offer the same core content. Regardless of which program you choose, you will have access to the same shared social events and community volunteerism events. The 2026 application period closes at noon on Monday, March 9. Letters of ecommendation can be provided via email after application submission, but still before noon on March 9.

By checking this box, you acknowledge the following:

  • You have read the 2026 ECL Program Overview or ECL @ Illinois Program Overview. (Recommended to open Program Overviews in a different tab.)
  • You either live or work in Champaign County, Illinois
  • You understand the ECL program has minimum requirements for graduation including attendance to seminars and volunteering. (In total, about 2 hours weekly.)
  • You understand that the ECL program includes participation in a group project.
  • You are excited to get more involved in the Champaign County community!
This information helps us tailor the program content to our participants!
We would love to say Thank You, so please share the name of the person/people who referred you to the ECL program.
Short Answers

We would love to get to know you better! Please provide brief, informational responses to the following questions. Responses must be at least 25 words, and are limited to 250 words. 
 

1

One goal of the Emerging Community Leaders is to help people connect with their community and find new ways to give back. Please share the ways you've been involved in your community or workplace over the past few years.

2

A large part of the Emerging Community Leaders program is a Team Project. We would love for you to share an example of a time you demonstrated leadership and/or worked with a team to overcome a challenge.

3

Emerging Community Leaders is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. How do you hope to grow by participating in the ECL program?
To complete your ECL application, you must submit one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation may be from a personal, professional, or volunteer source. 

If you do not upload a letter today, you may submit one via email to Anne Clark Skuse.
One file only.
10 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt, rtf, pdf, doc, docx, odt, ppt, pptx, odp, xls, xlsx, ods.

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