Lakeland Community College recently announced the launch of The Lakeland Institute, a 501c3 dedicated to enhancing the small business, nonprofit and public service sectors in Northeast Ohio.

Guided by the college's mission of addressing the needs of the community through education, the mission of The Lakeland Institute is to educate and strengthen nonprofits, small businesses and government relations in Northeast Ohio. The Lakeland Institute is a fast-track educational center devoted to providing the highest quality education, research, facilitation and consulting in nonprofit, entrepreneurship, andgovernment and public affairs in support of the mission of Lakeland Community College.

In early 2021, The Nonprofit and Public Service Center at Lakeland Community College began to reevaluate the needs of nonprofit and public service agencies in Northeast Ohio. Results from stakeholder meetings and a survey process showed the need for more programming in the areas of leadership, strategy, marketing and fundraising. The Lakeland Institute was created to meet those needs and more.

“By creating The Lakeland Institute, we are furthering Lakeland’s mission to meet the needs of the community,” shared Amy Sabath executive director of The Lakeland Institute. “Outside of being an educational institution, Lakeland serves the community in a variety of ways. The Lakeland Institute looks to collaborate and strengthen nonprofit, small business and government relations in the region.”

The Lakeland Institute will house the existing nonprofit center, a public service center and an entrepreneurship and workforce development center. Each of these will be guided by an advisory board of local professionals and provide a variety of educational opportunities, consulting and resources in their respective industries. Topics will vary from marketing and leadership for nonprofits, to talent acquisition and retention for entrepreneurs, and provide education in all areas of local, state and national government relations.

The institute will also provide a forum for analysis and critical thinking about issues of importance to the community at large by serving as a conduit for research and public conversations. Findings provided by the institute can then be used to help educate the community with the goals of economic empowerment and improving the quality of life for all members of Northeast Ohio.

By having a 501c3 status, The Lakeland Institute is also eligible for a variety of funding opportunities from foundations, state and federal resources.

“Establishing The Lakeland Institute creates opportunities that were previously unavailable to us, which in turn, will benefit the agencies collaborating with the institute,” added Mike Benz chair of The Lakeland Institute’s advisory board and executive in residence at Lakeland Community College. “We are very excited utilize the expertise we have at the college and in the community to expand our offerings to the small business and government sectors.”

For more information, contact Amy Sabath executive director of The Lakeland Institute.

By: Kerry Ann Jonke, Asst Director Market & Communi