ProjectLEAD

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in joining ProjectLEAD Class IV! United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC) is excited to offer this unique program, designed to equip emerging and established professionals with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to serve effectively on non-profit and public sector boards or committees.

ProjectLEAD consists of six workshops led by respected community leaders and subject matter experts (view our calendar here). These leaders will help demystify what it means to serve as a Board Member. Attendance at a minimum of 5 of the 6 workshops is required for board certification and recommendation.

Ideal candidates come from all walks of life, all corners of Okaloosa and Walton counties, and all backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a deep commitment to improving our community. 

Through this program, participants will:

  • Develop and strengthen leadership skills;

  • Learn about board governance, procedures, and expectations;

  • Gain a deeper awareness of challenges in our community;

  • Connect and network with community leaders and organizations;

  • Explore opportunities for board service.

Please fill out the following information and submit this application no later than November 24, 2026 at 5pm CST. 

Applicants will be notified of their admission status no later than December 14, 2026 with the program beginning in late January 2027.

Personal Information
Professional Information
Experience
Please choose up to five skills you possess which will be beneficial in your role as a (future) board or committee member:
Upload requirements
Tuition

If selected for the program, a $500 tuition fee is required to help cover the cost of materials and program support. Invoices will be sent upon acceptance, with payment due one week prior to the first workshop. 

We strive to ensure that cost is not a barrier for anyone interested in learning about board service. Applicants are encouraged to seek financial support from their employer, either partially or in full. A limited number of scholarships are available. Scholarship requests are considered independently from the applications.

Applicant Commitment
By submitting this application, I acknowledge that participation in ProjectLEAD requires a commitment of time and engagement. If selected, I agree to attend each session in its entirety and be fully present throughout the program. I understand that arriving 10+ minutes late or leaving a session early will be considered an absence.

Because the schedule is provided well in advance, I recognize that only a true emergency should prevent my attendance or cause me to arrive late. I understand that missing more than one session may result in not graduating from the program, and that tuition fees are non-refundable.

I also confirm that the information provided in my application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and that no false or misleading statements have been made to gain entry into the program.

I affirm my commitment to uphold these expectations and to fully engage in the ProjectLEAD experience as both a learner and future community leader.