Office of Public Engagement

Emerging Community Leaders at Illinois (ECL@IL) is a collaboration between the Office of Public Engagement and the United Way of Champaign County. In 2020, United Way partnered with the Office of the Chancellor to bring the ECL@Illinois to University of Illinois employees. ECL@IL is free for faculty and staff and offers hands-on experience in nonprofits, volunteerism, fundraising, and networking.

Applications for the 2025 ECL@IL Program are now closed!

• Application Period: Closed Monday, March 10
• Program Duration: Early April to mid-June
• Time Commitment: About 2 hours per week for seminars, volunteer work, or the group project
• Seminars: Five sessions featuring local leaders. ECL @ Illinois meets about once a month at Beckman Institute, and lunch is provided
• Volunteer Opportunities: Group volunteer activities and additional hours recorded for program completion Group Project: Collaborate with a team to learn more about a United Way nonprofit partner, volunteer with the organization, and present findings at the end of the program

Learn more and apply here.