About the Signature Program
Leadership Kitsap Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 by community leaders, the Kitsap County Chambers of Commerce, and the United Way of Kitsap County. The mission of Leadership Kitsap is to promote informed and committed civic volunteerism. The 10-month long curriculum is designed to help participants acquire both a fuller sense of the critical issues affecting Kitsap County, and the leadership skills necessary to motivate and engage others in collaborative efforts to resolve them.
Candidate Selection Process
Leadership Kitsap class participants are selected through a competitive screening/interview process conducted by the Leadership Kitsap Foundation’s Board of Directors. Individuals will be chosen based on the following criteria: (1) commitment to civic involvement in Kitsap County, (2) potential for community leadership, and (3) professional and personal achievement.
Selection Criteria
Leadership Kitsap class participants are selected through a competitive screening/interview process conducted by the Board of Directors. A limited number of individuals will be selected based on select criteria, including the following: 1. Demonstrated commitment to civic involvement in Kitsap County, 2. Identified potential for community leadership, and 3. Demonstrated professional and personal achievement.
Non-Discrimination – Leadership Kitsap does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.
Applicants must have a sponsoring organization, oftentimes the applicant’s employer, or be sponsored or endorsed by a community organization.
Questions? Ask us anything. [email protected]
Applications for Class of 2025 – Apply for the Waitlist Today!
While the deadline has passed for this year, we are leaving the application link open to apply for the waitlist. We encourage everyone who is interested to apply. We’re glad you’re here!
STEP ONE: Download and Sign the Commitment Attestation Form – Commitment Form Click here
STEP TWO: Head over to the Online Application – Application Click Here (January-March each year)
Note there is no “save” feature on this form. We suggest saving a copy of your work in a Word/Pages document to avoid any unforeseen delays.
Note the follow-up interview dates: 20-minute in-person/(hybrid as needed) application interviews will be scheduled annually in April.
In April 2024, plan for April 22, 23, and 24 in the afternoon in Silverdale.
CLASS MEMBER COMMITMENT
Time commitment: Full participation by each member of Leadership Kitsap is critical. This includes attendance at the scheduled Challenge Days.
In addition to required in-person training days, each participant will have a small group to work on their community service project with. Time commitment and schedule is determined by the small group.
It is vital that the participant, their support systems and their employer understand and honor these commitments. If you are unable to commit to this schedule, please consider applying another time.
*Subject to Change with notice
Financial Commitment
Selection Process – Application is a two-part process: (1) submit an application to Leadership Kitsap and (2) a personal interview.
Tuition – Tuition for the next curriculum year is $3,250 (Class of 2025). The participant is responsible for at least $250 of the total amount. The balance is typically paid by the participant’s employer or sponsoring organization. Partial scholarships of up to 50% are available, based on scholarship fund availability. There are no refunds.
Confidentiality – All applications are handled respectfully and with appropriate confidentiality.
Hanten-Berger Scholarship – Leadership Kitsap can offer scholarships for this program for up to 50% of the cost of tuition. Download the application for more information here: Class of 2025 – Leadership Kitsap Scholarship Application.pdf
Recruit the next Signature class!
Please share this website with a friend or colleague you think would benefit from Leadership Kitsap and be an asset to our next class of community leaders!
Apply for the Class of 2026 beginning January 2025.