MING Leadership Circles

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of leaders will be invited to participate in a MING Leadership Circle?
The ideal profile of a leader who will be invited to participate in a MING Leadership Circle in 2025 will be someone who holds/demonstrates the following criteria:

• Being an experienced social impact leader working in the nonprofit, philanthropic, public, academic, or private sector;

• A senior leadership role* for at least seven years at an organization/enterprise focused on driving social impact

• Day-to-day management oversight of a team and/or budget representing a significant portion of an organization/enterprise’s work;

• A passion for learning about and advocating topics and issues that impact the leadership journeys of leaders holding specific identities;

• A curiosity to expand their perspective, a focus on investing in personal and professional growth, and a commitment to building peer-based connections to drive deeper social impact

*Senior social impact leaders are those holding positions reporting to the Executive Director/CEO/President of a national/regional/local organization for at least seven years.

Can I apply if I don’t meet specific criteria?
Any leader interested in participating in the program may apply. Applicants will be prioritized for consideration based on the criteria listed in the application. 

What will the size of a MING Leadership Circle be?
MING Leadership Circles will be kept small to maximize the opportunity for leaders to build connections, with roughly 8-12 leaders per cohort.

What is the process for being invited to join a MING Leadership Circle?
Leaders interested in participating in a MING Leadership Circle must complete a program application form, which can be found here. The form also provides information on application deadlines and the program start date. 

Who will lead MING Leadership Circles?
MING Leadership Circles will be facilitated by 1-2 members of the MING Collective who are experienced facilitators who have served as senior social impact leaders and hold deep knowledge of the experiences of the groups being focused on. All MING Leadership Circle leaders will be trained and supported by the MING team and provided with resources, templates, and frameworks to support their Leadership Circle. Their role is purely facilitation–they hold space and offer tools to help the collective unlock the wisdom in the room; they do not dictate the direction of the discussion. 

Is there a cost to participate in a MING Leadership Circle?
A nominal cost (program fee) will be charged to support regular operations, virtual session production, program supplies, administrative support for day-to-day operations, food, beverages, etc.  

What will a MING Leadership Circle offer a leader participating in the program?
Each Circle will be designed around the shared expressed needs and the leadership level of the group.  Leaders who are a part of a MING Leadership Circle can expect to receive: 

• Access to an accessible and inclusive community of leaders who can provide and request advice and support through gatherings and an email list community for immediate questions;

• Access to an email distribution list to request and share information and resources;

• Access a regularly updated resource list that provides recommendations for personal and professional growth opportunities, event locations, funding, training, etc.

• The opportunity to share and access templates and information used by other organizations;

• Access to six virtual sessions occurring between May and November (2025);

• The opportunity to form, participate, and/or lead smaller topic-based meeting groups;

• An invitation to attend a restorative convening to relax, reflect, and connect with other members of their specific MING Leadership Circle

What is expected of leaders participating in a MING Leadership Circle? 
Leaders selected for participation in a MING Leadership Circle will agree to:

• Uphold confidentiality, ensuring what is shared in sessions, convenings, etc., will not be shared externally unless permitted by the individual who originally individual shared the information; 

• Attend and fully participate in virtual sessions and asynchronous meet-ups, which provide an opportunity for members to:

• Offer and receive support from peers;

• Learn and share information and resources; 

• Build new relationships and create a new community/network

• Contribute meaningfully to an email distribution list by posting and responding to queries promptly;

• Pay a program fee to support regular operations, virtual session production, asynchronous meet-ups, program supplies, Zoom production, administrative support, etc.

What is the fee to participate in a MING Leadership Circle Program- April-November? 
MING Leadership Circle program fees are based on the size of a leader’s organization/enterprise.  Please note the program fees shown below do not include participation in the Restorative Convening.