Porges Nonprofit Excellence Initiative
Investing in innovative leaders & nonprofits to meet the challenges of our time.
About the Porges Nonprofit Excellence Initiative (PNEI)
The Porges Nonprofit Excellence Initiative is rooted in the values of its namesake: father and son Norm and Evan Porges. Those values include entrepreneurial thinking, curious and expansive leadership, never settling for status quo, and abiding generosity.
Evan and Norm Porges evolved their giving to become more strategic with the establishment of the Porges Family Foundation in 2014 with the administrative support of Stanislaus Community Foundation. In the decade since the founding of the Porges Family Foundation the family has been recognized as philanthropic exemplars, singular in their love for the region and for their support of nonprofit innovation, entrepreneurism, and the arts.
LEADERSHIP & TRANSITION
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A transformative two- month sabbatical program to support nonprofit leaders in their leadership journey. This will serve as an opportunity to refresh and re-energize leaders to better engage within their nonprofit and the community they serve.
Participation is limited to up to three organizations a year.
Awardees will participate in an orientation providing guidance and resources for a well-planned sabbatical.
1:1 organizational coaching to navigate the Nonprofit sabbatical leave.
Pre- and post- assessment survey
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A succession planning program for nonprofit organizations, their executive directors and board of directors to help prepare for the future. Each organization will learn about the essential elements of succession planning, resulting in developing an emergency and departure-defined succession plan.
Specialized training sessions
1:1 executive coaching, specialized consulting on navigating healthy succession planning.
Each organization will learn about the essential elements of succession planning, resulting in developing an emergency and departure-defined succession plan.
Participation is limited to up to four organizations a year.
Pre- and post-assessment survey
NEXT LEVEL LEADERS
*The Next Level Leaders program is not accepting applications in 2026.
Next Level Leaders is a leadership program designed to strengthen nonprofit leaders and their organizations through in-depth group and individual learning opportunities. It was created with emerging and mid-level managers in Stanislaus County in mind.
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Coaching opportunity for emerging nonprofit managers
Managers will participate in professional coach matching assessment
Managers will receive 1:1 Individualized professional coaching sessions
Retreat for program participants
Retreat for up to 10 mid-level managers
Designed to inspire, challenge, and help leaders unlock their greatest leadership potential.
Providing resources, tools, and peer-learning opportunities.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
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More details coming soon!
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More details coming soon!
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More details coming soon!
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In 2025, the program's focus was on on Fundraising and Fund Development. Offered in partnership with Let’s Build Hope, the 40-hour fundraising training camp provided participants with hands-on training about development that they were able to put to use right away.