HLI Eligibility Requirements
Our Flagship Program: The HOPE Leadership Institute®
The HOPE Leadership Institute® (HLI) features intense, full-day training sessions and research on building political and economic power for our community. Training sessions include academic seminars, personal assessments, group work and presentations, political advocacy, field trips, networking, and conferences.
As part of the HLI, you will immerse yourself in a learning exchange with experts on civic engagement, leadership, political campaigning, health, education, and economic empowerment. You will come away connected to HOPE’s vast network of over 1,000 community and civic leaders.
The HLI is an annual cohort-based program spanning nine months, from January through September.
Required Qualifications
To be eligible for the HLI, applicants must:
- Reside in California.
- Be a recognized community leader with at least 5 years of leadership experience — for example, serving on a nonprofit board or government commission.
- Be a mid- or high-level professional ready for the next step in your career and leadership role in your community.
HOPE Programs are open to all qualified individuals. While our curriculum centers Latina experiences as a learning lens, HOPE does not exclude anyone on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected traits.
Application
To be considered for the HLI, please submit an online application and include the following:
- A headshot (preferably high resolution .png or .jpeg). No selfies, please.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
- $125 non-refundable application fee payable online.
- Referral from 1-2 HLI alumane, or other community leaders.
- Recommended: 1-2 letters of support from HLI, members of the HOPE network, or other professional or community leader contacts.
Program Costs
HOPE will assume the cost of hotel accommodations for HLI Session 1, 2, 3 and 5. Participants will share a room with one other cohort member. We estimate the cost of participating in this cohort to be $1,000- $1,500, should participant choose to share a room during sessions. Cost should not be a barrier for participation, we offer limited need based financial support, inquire about it before accepting admission into the program.
If HLI participants wish to stay in their own private hotel rooms, they are responsible to cover the cost and arrange their accommodations in the same hotel that the group is staying in. Please communicate with HLI staff before making these arrangements. This option adds an additional cost of $4,500 + for lodging.
Calendar of In-Person Sessions
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Session I: The Political Process
Sacramento, CA
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Session II: Local Government & Latina History Day
Los Angeles, CA
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Session III: State Policy Process & Latina Action Day
Sacramento, CA
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Session IV: Regional Issues, Economy, Leadership Legacy
Bakersfield, CA
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Session V: National Advocacy Session
San Diego, CA
Contact
With any questions about applying to and participating in the HOPE Leadership Institute, please contact Lea Gonzalez, Senior Program Manager.