Board Governance Grant
The Jewish Federation Board Governance Grant gives Levy Fellow alumni the opportunity—working with their current board officers and professional staff—to:
- Address a current board challenge, and/or
- Revisit and advance ideas developed during their Levy Fellows experience.
Building on Mont Levy’s vision, this grant recognizes that strong boards are essential for organizational success. While training is valuable, ongoing reflection and intentional application of foundational skills are critical.
Applications open to organizations that have participated in the Jewish Federation’s Levy Fellows. Up to 15 organizations will be approved for 2026.
The Jewish Federation Board Governance Grant is made possible by an investment through Jewish Federation Impact Grants
Program Structure
Organizations may engage Leslie Peters through one of two options:
Option 1 – Board Workshop
One 90-minute to 2-hour in-person session
Includes 30 minutes of online planning
Potential Topics Include:
- Epic Listening: Building Understanding and Trust
- Creating Great Meetings: Authentic Engagement for New Voices and Ideas
- Impactful Decision Making: Generative, Strategic, and Fiduciary Models
- Board Roles vs. Staff Roles: Clear Roles and Effective Communication
- Creating Sustainable Change
- Boards Managing Boards: The Power of Governance Committees
Option 2 – Board Consulting
Three hours of small-group consultation
Time split between in-person and online
Potential Topics include:
- Problem Solving: Deep Dive into a Specific Challenge
- Enhancing Board Engagement
- Creating a Vision for a Strategic Plan
- Shifting Approaches to Fundraising
- Board Succession Planning
- Planning a Board Retreat
Assessing Impact
All participating organizations must complete an evaluation provided by the Jewish Federation.
Feedback will measure the impact of the training or consultation.
Additionally, participating organizations are encouraged to recruit for future board training initiatives, including the 2026 Levy Fellows Program
Additional Costs
Organizations are responsible for any time or expenses beyond the grant parameters.
About Leslie Peters
Leslie Peters has provided counsel and training in organizational development, strategic planning, human resource management, and leadership to for-profit and non-profit organizations for more than 25 years in St. Louis and across the country. She helps people and organizations unleash potential and create competitive advantage through leadership development, organizational values, and clarity, and adding big thinking and creativity to the work of boards. Leslie offers a fresh, innovative approach to reimaging generative decision-making, redefining organizational lay leadership, and elevating engagement at all levels of an organization. Leslie is also the author of Finding Time to Lead which combines what she has learned from having partnered with all kinds of leaders in all kinds of organizations, and what she has gleaned from reading LOTS of books about leadership, systems, community development, coaching, and about people and their stories. She also shares her own personal leadership journey, including her experience as president of a nonprofit board. Leslie’s advice and highly interactive training are practical and accessible, while also being challenging and thought-provoking. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Levy Fellow Alumni Grant
