Thank you for considering United Way's ECL @ Illinois program!
Emerging Community Leaders (ECL) is a personal development program designed for professionals to learn how they can impact our community through nonprofit volunteerism.
ECL @ Illinois brings all the content of our award-winning ECL Program to campus. Since 2005, over 800 people have graduated from ECL.
By offering the program on-campus, we are making ECL more accessible and helping you meet community-minded faculty and staff from across campus.
The ECL @ Illinois program is offered FREE OF CHARGE thanks to support from the Office of the Chancellor and the United Way Board of Directors.
Click here to read a note from Chancellor Robert J. Jones regarding the ECL @ Illinois program!
About the ECL @ Illinois Program
ECL’s structured like a class – but with no grades or tests!
You’ll join together with other professionals for our five educational seminars:
- Finding Your Why
- Nonprofit Basics
- How to be an effective Board/Committee member
- Fundraising for Impact
- Accountability and Leadership in the Community
Throughout the program, you will expand your knowledge of nonprofit work by participating in a team project that researches the mission and programming of a United Way nonprofit agency partner.
Volunteer opportunities will also be organized through the program. At the conclusion of the program, each team will present to the cohort and there will be a graduation celebration.
View the 2025 ECL @ Illinois Calendar
What You Will Learn
ECL graduates have a greater understanding of nonprofits in the community and can become effective volunteers, committee or board members, and leaders for promoting the work of nonprofits in the community. Plus, you’ll have made new friends with your fellow ECL members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to find answers to some common questions about the program.
How to Apply
Admission to the 2025 Program is closed. Please join our interest list to be notified when the application opens for the 2026 program.
For specific questions, contact Anne Clark Skuse at United Way of Champaign County.