MAL Leadership Foundation

The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Illinois. Initially, the Foundation operated as part of the MAL chapter. However, it formally separated from the chapter in 2016 so that it might function more effectively as a separate entity.

Mission Statement

The mission of M.A.L. Leadership Foundation is to provide high quality, innovative, resident-led solutions to the problems facing youth and families living in Aurora, DeKalb, Rockford and the adjacent neighborhoods.

VIsion Statement

The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation will be the premier nonprofit, community development organization of its size in the DeKalb, Aurora, Rockford and surrounding areas. The Foundation will be an innovator and a leader in helping to uplift the young people in the communities in which it serves. In partnership with organizations and communities that share similar goals, the Foundation will contribute effectively to programs that strengthen the community.

Support Our Work

Charitable contributions afford the M.A.L. Leadership Foundation with the opportunity to fund annual scholarships for deserving high school and college students, and provide ongoing youth mentoring program activities. Listed below are different ways in which our work can be supported:

Donations

All donations to the M.A.L. Leadership Foundation are tax deductible, as permitted by law, and are greatly appreciated. Please contact us directly if you would like to discuss potential sponsorship and donation opportunities.

Programs and Activities

In order to fulfill its mission, the M.A.L. Leadership Foundation focuses its efforts around a number of youth mentoring activities, including those described below:

Project Alpha:

Project Alpha is a national program developed by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation to provide young men with information and skills surrounding issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation provides annual financial and volunteer support for a citywide Project Alpha workshop every Fall, and expands on this workshop by hosting its own Project Alpha Weekend Retreat for 20-50 young men. During this retreat, the Foundation works in conjunction with youth workers from local non-profit organizations and schools to implement the Project Alpha Curriculum, as well as provide male role models for participating youth.

Leadership Development Institute (LDI):

The Leadership Development Institute seeks to equip high school students with vital leadership skills. Volunteer adult facilitators, working along with other professionals/experts, instruct the participants in parliamentary procedures, conflict resolution, models of leadership, public speaking, community and civic engagement, and educational enhancement skills. The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation annually sponsors seven young men to participate in the LDI program, and provides a direct mentoring relationship between participating youth and members of the Foundation’s board of trustees.

A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People:

The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation implements A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People as an annual voter education workshop for youth and adults focused on the history of voting, voter registration, the voting process and the U.S. government, and political participation.

Go-To-High School, Go-To-College:

Through the Go-to-High School, Go-to-College program, the M.A.L. Leadership Foundation implements an annual forum for DeKalb, Aurora, Rockford and surrounding areas - youth, with workshops focused on high school completion, the pursuit of college education and other forms of professional training after high school graduation, and strategies that facilitate personal and professional success.

Oratorical Contest:

The M.A.L. Leadership Foundation hosts its annual Oratorical Contest to promote the continued development of public speaking and writing skills among young men. Working closely with partnering schools, the Foundation facilitates pre-Contest workshops for local junior high and high school students to build interest and develop skills. Participating students then advance to compete against peers in the final Contest, in which the Foundation awards cash and other prizes for top student performance.

Corporate Sponsorship

Corporate sponsorship provides an excellent opportunity for companies and organizations to support the M.A.L. Leadership Foundation in its efforts to provide leadership and community service. As a corporate sponsor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon, or any of the Foundation’s programs and activities, you can select the appropriate level of support based on your ability to give. We have provided helpful information here to assist you in learning more about our sponsorship levels.