PROGRAMS
Community Leadership Course for Veterans™
Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ (CLCV™) is a program for current or former military service members in the region.
Overview
The Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ (CLCV™) is a nationally recognized program that leverages the skills and experiences of current or former military service members for the betterment of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Through participation in the program, CLCV™ cohort members have the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of our region, meet with business and community leaders, as well as utilize their leadership skills to accomplish a project in partnership with a local nonprofit organization.
CLCV™ provides participants with the exposure, experiences, and connections that prepare them to tackle the challenges of our community. Bi-weekly sessions cover topics such as corporate landscape, nonprofit landscape, history of Pittsburgh, networking and more.
The knowledge and associations obtained through CLCV™ can provide committed participants access to the platforms needed to take on civilian leadership roles within Southwestern Pennsylvania communities.
Please review FAQs below to learn more about the application process and program details.
#LPIncVoices
“CLCV exposed me to several different city locations that I most likely would have never seen had it not been for the program. I was excited to learn about Pittsburgh’s rich history and amazing transformation and, moving forward, I hope to be a part of and perpetuate it.”
Community Projects
Food Assistance Match
A CLCV X Project Group worked with the Food Assistance Match (FAM) team to learn their current processes and essential needs for documenting and administering financial support to constituents. This work then allowed the FAM team to help identify critical gaps and areas of improvement that should be addressed in order to improve business functions. The CLCV group provided multiple process improvement recommendations for streamlining FAM functions in support of future expansion efforts. These recommendations included sample spreadsheets/databases as well as ranking and comparison of the recommendations.
Special Olympics of Pennsylvania
A CLCV X Project Group assisted the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania with a project focused on gaining a better understanding of the needs of people with disabilities in underrepresented Greater Pittsburgh communities. To assist with this project, the CLCV group created and disseminated a survey to key stakeholders that was focused on garnering interest in an in-person event. The team also worked to determine event space options for an in-person portion event. The final deliverable also included a replicable template that could be used to help the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania host similar events in other communities.
Sojourner House
A CLCV IX Project Group worked with Sojourner House to provide both short term improvements and long-term support for the improvement of their on-site playground. The short-term improvements included painting, landscaping and other minor projects to spruce up the playground. For the long-term support of the playground, the group provided a flyer, presentation and cost breakdown that the Sojourner House team could easily share with potential funders for future renovation of the playground.Frequently Asked Questions
Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ applications are due mid-February for the cohort that begins in May. A selection committee reviews applications during the months of March and April. Applicants accepted for admission to Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ are notified by mid-April.
At least two letters of recommendation from individuals that are familiar with the applicant’s abilities and skills, are strongly recommended at the time of application.
Due to the contributions of regional philanthropic organizations and Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Alumni, this course is being made available for a nominal tuition fee of $300. Tuition will be due upon acceptance. No application fee is required. The Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board of Directors does not want tuition to be a barrier to your application, as such scholarships may be made available.
Click here to contact us about tuition assistance for CLCV™.
LPInc. strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccinations and is a mask-friendly organization. LPInc. will continue to monitor local, state and national guidelines, including CDC guidelines, leading up to each in-person event and will share any updates to our policy as needed. Please note that masks, proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (taken within 72 hours of an event) may be required for entry into some sessions/events should the venue host require such. Ample advance notice would be provided.
In addition to an opening retreat, CLCV™ typically meets twice monthly from approximately 4:30–8:30 PM on (usually) Tuesday nights. The schedule is determined several months in advance. Credits are assigned to each session and most activities. Participants are required to earn a predetermined number of credits to complete the program. More credits are offered than required for program completion in order to allow participants flexibility in arranging their personal schedules.
Twelve to fourteen sessions held from May through September focus on exposing participants to the civilian/professional landscape and creating avenues for civic involvement as leaders in the community.
Welcome Orientation and Reception – An orientation/welcome reception is held to kick off the program. Attendance is mandatory.
Retreat – Held soon after the welcome orientation and reception, the retreat typically begins on Friday afternoon and runs through Saturday. Attendance is mandatory.
Sessions – Participants meet for learning experiences on topics such as corporate landscape, nonprofit landscape, history of Pittsburgh, savvy networking and more. These sessions focus on topics that expose the participants to community leaders and issues. Leadership sessions typically take place on Tuesday evenings. Participants are expected to attend all regularly scheduled sessions in their entirety and earn sufficient credits to graduate.
Community Impact Projects – CLCV™ participants form teams to implement a Community Impact Project in our community. In addition to meeting a need in the community, the projects provide significant learning experiences for the team members. The project teams meet outside of the regularly scheduled sessions (each team determines its own schedule).
Click here to download the 2025 tentative CLCV™ schedule.
Click here to view a list of all CLCV™ graduates.
Click here to refer someone to one of our programs. We will then get in touch with them to share more information regarding our programs. Thank you for helping to spread the word and strengthen our mission delivery!
The Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ Selection Committee considers letters of recommendation in the application process. We strongly encourage each applicant to submit at least two letters of recommendation from their prior military and/or civilian networks. The letters must demonstrate that the writer has/had a meaningful relationship with the applicant.
Recommendations are due in to the Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. office by 5:00 PM on the date of the application deadline. These can be submitted along with the application or separately via the online form; or by e-mail to info@lpinc.org.
For LDI & CLCV™ Graduates
Leadership OnBoard
Gain first hand experience serving at a nonprofit board.
Leadership OnBoard (LOB) is an exclusive program available only for graduates of our Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) and Community Leadership Course for Veterans™ (CLCV™) programs.
Learn moreOur Partners
The success of the Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. depends to a large part on the financial support of our community’s businesses and community partners. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.
