Learn. Explore. Activate in Place.
Program Overview
LEAP is an immersive five-day trip for economic and community leaders to engage in workshops, activities, and networking to see firsthand how smaller cities (up to 500,000 residents) are driving innovation and creating economic opportunities for all. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this program is part of NGIN's Small and Midsized Cities Hub—an initiative that offers a suite of programs, technical assistance, resources, and tools to support economic developers build healthy, thriving communities.
Learn
Discover innovative strategies for fostering shared economic prosperity. Our LEAP sessions provide the knowledge and tools to help you drive meaningful change in your city.
Explore
Discover innovative models for economic development through immersive experiences in host cities and engage with local leaders and stakeholders to understand their strategies and successes.
Activate
Develop an actionable plan to implement these strategies in your own city. LEAP encourages collaboration and peer learning, ensuring you leave equipped to make a tangible impact.
in Place
Engage directly with the communities where these strategies are being implemented. By immersing yourself, you gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of the city, allowing for more context-driven action when you return to your own community.
About LEAP Summer 2025
NGIN will select teams from cities with populations between 50,000 and 500,000 to explore Community Wealth Building and Inclusive Capital in Cleveland, OH. All travel expenses and logistics are covered.
As a Rust Belt city, Cleveland, Ohio, has a history of economic reinvention. In what has become known as "The Cleveland Model," there has been tremendous progress in rethinking traditional economic development strategies to build community wealth and increase economic activity even in the most economically distressed neighborhoods. Cleveland has key strategies, including successfully building worker-owned cooperatives with Evergreen Cooperatives and engaging anchor institutions in local procurement strategies. Cleveland also models unique coalitions and collaborations to ensure capital reaches and supports these communities, including the Fund for Our Economic Future and the George Gund Foundation. In recent years, under Mayor Bibb, the City of Cleveland has continued to model not just an approach to traditional economic growth but also a thoughtful approach to inclusive growth, from creative approaches to the affordable housing crisis to a robust lakefront development plan.
Applications to LEAP Cleveland are now closed.
Who LEAP Serves
Local Economic Leaders
Professionals working to strengthen their local economies through innovative policies, investments, and partnerships.
Community Advocates
Individuals actively engaged in grassroots initiatives, nonprofit organizations, or civic groups dedicated to accessible economic growth and opportunity.
Local Government
Elected and appointed officials, government staff, and decision-makers shaping policies that impact economic and community development.
Want More Information?
If you want to learn more, watch the recap of our Information Session held on February 19th!
Explore Past LEAP Trips
Richmond, Virginia
Program Highlights
Networking Mixer: The event began with connections and an award for the City of Richmond's commitment to inclusive economic development.
Insightful Discussions: Led by NGIN CEO M. Yasmina McCarty and featuring panels on equity and community wealth creation.
Historical Exploration: Gary Flowers guided us through Jackson Ward, and Neil McInroy facilitated a panel on Community Wealth Building at Richmond Hill.
Revisit the moments and discover the beauty of Richmond in our Instagram Reel ↗.
Tacoma, Washington
Program Highlights
Recognition Ceremony: Tacoma's Mayor, Victoria Woodards, received an award for the city's exceptional work in promoting equity.
Guided Exploration: A walking tour of Downtown Tacoma, coupled with panels on 'Supporting Small Businesses with a Focus on Equity and Community Wealth Creation' and 'Building and Sustaining Partnerships.'
Community Engagement: Collaboration with organizations like The Black Collective, Spaceworks Tacoma, Saathi Impact Consulting, and others made the weekend a resounding success.
Experience the event through our Instagram Reel ↗.
“It was great to meet with individuals across the country to discuss common challenges, share best practices and resources, locally and nationally, and strengthen relationships that will ultimately impact the communities we are all committed to serving.”
— Sully Pinos, LEAP Tacoma Participant
Want to stay informed about future SMC Hub opportunities? Sign up to our Get Active with NGIN newsletter!
Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) supports efforts to create healthier communities by improving the physical, economic, and social conditions that help residents thrive. With RWJF’s generous support, NGIN’s Small and Midsized Cities (SMC) Hub offers a suite of programs, technical assistance, resources, and tools to support economic developers build healthy, thriving communities.
