The Leadership Redding Program is an awareness and educational opportunity which serves as a catalyst for individuals who seek participation in community decision-making at all levels in voluntary and governmental organizations.

In the late 1970’s, community leadership training concepts were emerging in larger metropolitan centers throughout the United States. This was in response to a growing concern over a lack of public interest in effective leadership and community well-being. The concept was actively discussed and promoted by the Redding Chamber of Commerce leadership.

In 1985, the program became an official Redding Chamber of Commerce Program. The first class was inaugurated in 1986. Since that time, the program has undergone continual refinement to meet the needs of this growing and dynamic community. With Redding being among the first rural areas to be served by a leadership program, it has served as a model for many other emerging programs in other communities.

In 2000, Leadership Redding became a program of the Shasta Regional Community Foundation, now the Community Foundation of the North State, in its inaugural year. The Community Foundation was created out of The Grant and Resource Center of Northern California, a management assistance organization established in 1992 to serve nonprofit organizations in the nine counties of far northern California. The Community Foundation, serving Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama Counties, houses and manages funds from organizations and individual donors to support the charitable goals of donors and meet community needs. The organization serves as a focus for local philanthropy by: 1) tailoring funds to meet the needs and desires of local people and organizations, donating from the community to benefit the community; and 2) assisting nonprofit organizations to identify funding and build organizational capacity to meet needs. In 2022, Leadership Redding initiated steps to become its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is currently in that transition.

Leadership Redding is driven by the commitment and energy of its participants, graduates, and volunteers. Those connected with the program have benefited greatly by the diverse network of graduates, skills, and broad knowledge of regional issues gained through the program. The alumni community is filled with engaged leaders and decision-makers who represent an unparalleled resource working to strengthen the quality of life in our region.

In addition to the operations of the Leadership Redding Program, the Leadership Redding Endowment Fund was established to ensure the future financial viability and stability of the program.  Currently, approximately fifty percent of the program is funded by tuition; the remaining portion must be funded by donations from businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Although this has been a reliable source in the past, it is prudent to develop a funding source for the future.

Here is your opportunity to help others benefit from the Leadership Redding experience, so contribute now to the Leadership Redding Program or the Leadership Redding Endowment Fund!