Mission Capital–ICF Austin Pro Bono Coaching Programs

The Austin ICF chapter has partnered with Mission Capital, a non-profit organization that works to build the capacity of nonprofit leadership through professional development courses, to offer pro bono coaching since 2015. Through this partnership, ICF Austin supports many different local non-profit organizations through two Mission Capital programs: The Emerging Leadership Academy and Next Level Leadership Academy.

Mission Capital offers a powerful suite of learning and leadership workshops designed to build the capacity and connectedness of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders. These in-depth, nonprofit-focused trainings cover topics including leadership development, strategy and sustainability, employee engagement, conflict mitigation and more.

Emerging Leadership Academy (ELA)

The Emerging Leadership Academy is a one-day program for non-profit leaders at the beginning of their career. ICF Austin offers pro-bono laser coaching (20-30 minutes) to requesting students at the end of the class.

• Two-hour commitment to provide 20-30-minute laser coaching sessions to students attending the one-day Emerging Leadership Academy class.
• This is an in-person event at the Mission Capital office, located at 8303 Mopac Service Rd A201, Austin, TX 78759
• The Mission Capital coordinator will assign each coach a space and one or two students, depending upon how many sign up for coaching.
• You are free to leave once you have completed your coaching sessions.
• You may display your business cards. No other collateral is allowed.

Next Level Leadership Academy (NLLA)

The Next Level Leadership Academy is a 3-day program, stretched over a three-month period, for mid-career nonprofit professionals ready to grow their ability to lead social change and better understand their role. ICF Austin offers five hours of pro-bono coaching to requesting students.

• Five hours pro bono coaching commitment 
• A Community Outreach Committee member conducts a short interview with each student to ascertain specific issues and concerns before assigning a coach. Notes from the interview will be shared with the coach when possible
• Each coach and student are required to sign a Coaching Agreement, which will be provided when the Community Outreach Director introduces each coach-student pair 
• The coach and student are responsible for coordinating meeting times and places.
• Once the five hours of pro bono coaching have been completed, notify the CO Director
• If there are any issues that arise during the coaching period, contact the CO Director.

Guidelines for Coaching Clients

Coaching works as long as you do! Successful coaching clients share the following characteristics:

• Committed to their coaching sessions (scheduling, punctuality)
• Ready to work and take action.
• Ready move forward with their lives.
• Ready to change or stop self-defeating behaviors that limit success.
• Able to be open and truthful with their coach.
• Willing to try new ideas, take new actions and form new habits.
• View coaching as a worthwhile investment of time.