Before filling out this application, be sure to visit the Leadership Development page to review the program calendar and information for Leadership Maine or Institute for Civic Leadership. There is a non-refundable $50 application fee, which can be paid online or by check (see below).

You may save and return to this application as needed–just be sure to click the Save button before closing the window! You will need your current resume in Word or PDF format to upload to this form.

If you require financial assistance in order to participate in one of the programs, please complete the appropriate funding plan worksheet later in this application.

We strive for diversity in each class. The following information would be helpful but is not mandatory.

You may save and come back to this section as needed, just remember to click Save before you close it out! If it is easier, feel free to write your reflections in a separate document and copy + paste your answers into the form.

We expect you to commit to every session, as absences affect class cohesion and diminish everyone’s learning. If you miss more than 16 cumulative hours, depending on the circumstances, you may be asked to leave the program.

Note in the program calendar that some sessions are mandatory. If any of these dates present a conflict for you, please let us know before completing your application.

Travel to the venues is your responsibility. Participants often set up carpools.

For Leadership Maine, you will be involved in a team project that will require you to work with a group of classmates outside of program days and hours. This averages roughly 3 extra hours a month throughout the program.

English language proficiency – reading, listening, and speaking – is important to your learning in this experience.

If selected, I pledge to participate fully in this leadership experience, share the program calendar with my supervisor, be present at each session, and honor the required time commitments.

If you require financial assistance in order to participate in one of the programs, please complete the appropriate form below.

Tuition Tuition for the 2025-2026 Institute for Civic Leadership is $6,000 for MDF members and $6,500 for non-members. Tuition includes the cost of the program, materials, lunch, snacks, beverages and facilities (also includes two nights of lodging for the Outward Bound retreat). Travel expenses to and from each session and any other costs* are not covered by tuition. Tuition is payable in full by Friday, July 18, 2025, unless other arrangements have been made. Applicants whose organizations are not members of MDF are strongly encouraged to join. Becoming an MDF member saves your organization money on tuition and provides additional benefits. Learn more.

*Other lodging may include any other night you choose to stay before, during and/or after a session.

Financial Aid Philosophy

The Institute for Civic Leadership has a limited amount of financial aid available each year to assist participants who cannot personally afford the tuition, are not fully supported by their organizations, and have exhausted all other funding sources. Financial assistance will be based upon need and will be extended to individuals when they are selected to join the class. All those capable of funding themselves are strongly encouraged to do so. Funding sources also may include a sponsoring organization or individual, an employer, or another affiliated organization (e.g., trade organization). Payment plans are also available.

Financial assistance from the Institute for Civic Leadership should be seen as the last dollars that a candidate seeks. As an example, an applicant whose organization is not an MDF member might pay $1,000 of the $6,500 tuition from personal resources, get his/her employer to contribute $4,000, a sponsoring organization (e.g., Rotary Club, local chamber, municipal association) to pay $1000, and then request the last $500 from the Institute for Civic Leadership.

Minimum Payment

No full scholarships will be awarded. There is a minimum personal payment requirement of $300 for Institute for Civic Leadership participants. This payment is to ensure that even if your employer is willing to pay the full tuition, you still have a personal stake in the program. Regardless of the amount of financial support your employer provides, they must support your full participation in the program (allowing adequate time away from other duties and honoring the program calendar dates).

Requests are Separate and Confidential

All participants will be selected without regard to their financial aid request. If you are chosen to be a class member, we will then consider your request for financial aid in conjunction with other requests. When you are notified of your acceptance, you will also be informed of your scholarship award.

The purpose of this worksheet is to determine the amount of money you need to request for scholarship assistance. This worksheet is not an invoice and no money is required at this time.

If you have any questions about funding, please email jkearce@mdf.org

Tuition

Tuition for the 2025-2026 Leadership Maine class is $6,000 for MDF members and $6,500 for non-members. Tuition includes the cost of the program, materials, meals, facilities, and five nights of lodging.* Travel expenses to and from each session and all other lodging costs are not covered by tuition. Tuition is payable in full by Friday, July 18, 2025, unless other arrangements have been made. Applicants whose organizations are not members of MDF are strongly encouraged to join. Becoming an MDF Member saves your organization money on tuition and provides additional benefits. Learn more.

*Lodging included: two overnights for the opening retreat, two overnights for the bus tour, and one overnight at the closing retreat. Any other lodging is the responsibility of the participant.

Financial Aid Philosophy

Leadership Maine has a limited amount of financial aid available each year to assist participants who cannot personally afford the tuition, are not fully supported by their organizations, and have exhausted all other funding sources. Financial assistance will be based upon need and will be extended to individuals when they are selected to join the class. All those capable of funding themselves are strongly encouraged to do so. Funding sources also may include a sponsoring organization or individual, an employer, or another affiliated organization (e.g., trade organization). Payment plans are also available.

Financial assistance from Leadership Maine should be seen as the last dollars that a candidate seeks. As an example, an applicant whose organization is not a member of MDF might pay $1,000 of the $6,500 tuition from personal resources, get his/her employer to contribute $4,000, a sponsoring organization (e.g., Rotary Club, local chamber, municipal association) to pay $1000, and then request the last $500 from Leadership Maine.

Minimum Payment

No full scholarships will be awarded. There is a minimum personal payment requirement of $300 for all Leadership Maine participants. This payment is to ensure that even if your employer is willing to pay the full tuition, you still have a personal stake in the program. Regardless of the amount of financial support from your employer, they must support your full participation in the program (allowing adequate time away from other duties and honoring the program calendar dates).

Requests are Separate and Confidential

All participants will be selected without regard to their financial aid request. If you are chosen to be a class member, we will then consider your request for financial aid in conjunction with other requests. When you are notified of your acceptance, you will also be informed of your scholarship award.

The purpose of this worksheet is to determine the amount of money you need to request for scholarship assistance. This worksheet is not an invoice and no money is required at this time.

If you have any questions about funding, please email jkearce@mdf.org