What does the program actually look like? How does it work?
Great question. The Fellowship runs September through May, and most months include three things:

• a Saturday session exploring a major issue facing metro Richmond

• a Leadership Lab on a weeknight (3rd Wednesdays) focused on leadership development

• a small group gathering for spiritual formation and conversation

We begin the year with a retreat in September and wrap up with a closing retreat in May.

Most months include one Saturday session, one Leadership Lab (3rd Wednesdays, 6–8pm), and one small group gathering. So, 3 in-person gatherings per month (except December, when you’ll just have one small group gathering).

Fellows should expect roughly 10–15 hours per month in person, plus additional time for readings and assignments (see question below on reading).

A big part of the program is helping Fellows to get out and experience new parts of town. The weekend class sessions meet at different locations around town – churches, businesses and beyond. Whenever possible, we work to connect the locations where we meet to the topic we’re exploring.

Leadership Labs meet at RCLI’s office inside Needle’s Eye Ministries (2550 Gaskins Road, Ste. A).

A lot can happen on a Saturday session. As much as we can, we strive to design Saturday sessions (and retreats) to be experiential and people-centric. We visit different places around town, we hear from experts speakers, we walk through exercises – and we eat lunch. Because food is a pathway for connection.

The RCLI Fellowship is designed to help emerging leaders connect with more senior leaders to foster learning and growth. We bring in speakers from all around Richmond. Our speaker roster includes topical experts, civic leaders, local pastors and program alums – all bringing their own perspective, expertise and wisdom, for the benefit of the group.

Your small group will use Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer to explore spiritual disciplines and reflect on your learning. These groups are a space to connect, discuss, and grow together, led by a dedicated facilitator.

Discussion groups are expected to meet once per month at a time and place that is agreed upon by the group. We can provide some suggested locations and facilitate the coordination of meetings as needed.

We get it—you’re busy! We don’t want to crush you with too much work. That said, we recognize the value and importance of committing to something that requires something of us. We expect each Fellow to complete the assignments for their own growth and the development of their peers. We aim to curate the assignments and readings so that they’re worth your time.

We don’t have any hard and fast rules on age. As a rule of thumb, sometimes we say “mid 20s to mid 40s.” But that’s just a guide. We’re less concerned with what the date says on your birth certificate; we’re more concerned with who you are and the questions you’re asking at this stage in your life.

Tuition for the Fellowship is $800.

The full cost of the program is about $1,800 per participant; generous donors help cover the remaining cost so we can keep our program accessible.

We never want the tuition rate to be a barrier. Scholarships covering up to half of tuition are available for applicants who need assistance. Decisions are based on financial need with priority given to those from underrepresented groups or to applicants working in the nonprofit, small business, and/or social sectors. Applicants can apply for scholarship funds as a part of the application process. Payment plans are also available.

Applicants who are able to contribute more than the standard tuition are also invited to do so to help support future Fellows.

The class size typically consists of 15-20 Fellows. RCLI works to develop a strong group of Fellows, pulling together people from different backgrounds, lines of work and parts of town. We aim to build a class that is big enough that there’s a good variety of perspectives in the room, without it getting so big that it is hard to get to know everyone.

Graduates join the RCLI alumni network, a growing community of Christian leaders across metro Richmond who continue learning, collaborating, and serving the city together.