The Civic Bench™
Powered by DiverseForce

Building The Civic Leadership Infrastructure and Engine for Inclusive, Innovative, and Impact-Driven Board Governance Across Nonprofit and Public Sectors.

Build The Civic Bench. Strengthen Our Democracy and Shape Our Future.
Why This Matters
Public trust in institutions is declining — governance must be more inclusive and innovative
Philadelphia alone has 75+ boards and commissions with an estimate of over 675 seats — many remain unfilled or underleveraged
There is no shortage of talent — only a shortage of pathways
DiverseForce delivers a proven model with measurable results
The Two-Part Program Model
Step 1: DiverseForce on Boards (DFOB) Fellowship
  • 6-month leadership and board governance program
Step 2: The Civic Bench™ Accelerator
  • 1-day leadership bootcamp focused on public board readiness
Together: A powerful pipeline for nonprofit and public governance that reflects and serves our communities
DiverseForce on Boards Fellowship
6-month hybrid learning program
Virtual and in-person components
Cohort-based experience
With coaching, board matching, and practical tools
Professional development
Trains mid-to-senior-level professionals for strategic nonprofit board leadership
375+
Alumni Trained
325+
Nonprofit Board Seats Filled
Alumni represent the public, private, and philanthropic sectors
The Civic Bench™ Accelerator
1-day retreat-style bootcamp hosted at the P4 Hub in Philadelphia — the birthplace of democracy
Governance Excellence & Strategic Oversight
AI and Innovation in the Public Sector
Civic Power & Public Voice Panel
Lunch & Reflection with a Call to Action
Designed to prepare leaders for public boards, commissions, and advisory bodies
Deliverable — The Civic Bench™ Slate
After the bootcamp, DiverseForce delivers:
1
A vetted, curated slate of appointment-ready leaders
2
Including bios, interest areas, and governance resumes
3
Provided to elected officials to accelerate inclusive appointments
4
Support includes onboarding, coaching, and impact tracking
The P4 Partnership Model
Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (P4):
Private/Philanthropic sector
Funds the DFOB Fellowship ($5,000 per participant)
Public sector
Funds The Civic Bench™ Accelerator and matching support ($3,500 per participant)
DiverseForce
Designs and delivers the full leadership pipeline and civic readiness model
ROI for Public Officials
Faster, more informed, and more representative appointments
Increased transparency, trust, and innovation in public governance
A growing bench of civic-minded, cross-sector leaders
A legacy of inclusive leadership that reflects your values and district
The Civic Bench Accelerator™
Powered by DiverseForce at the P4 Hub – Philadelphia, PA
Purpose of the Bootcamp
Inclusive governance
Strategic oversight
Civic leadership
AI and innovation fluency
This experience culminates in the development of a appointment-ready candidates, which DiverseForce presents to elected officials on-demand for consideration and appointment.
The Civic Bench™ Accelerator: Agenda Overview
Total Duration: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
1
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome
DiverseForce leadership sets the day's purpose: advancing democracy through inclusive governance and framing the Accelerator as a civic infrastructure investment.
2
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Opening Keynote
An elected official or appointee discusses the importance of diverse civic leadership, building public trust, and how aligned boards empower government and community.
3
9:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Session 1
Governance Excellence & Strategic Oversight: Learn the role and responsibilities of public board members, balancing fiduciary duty with public accountability, and governing with data. Includes interactive scenario discussions.
4
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Session 2
AI, Innovation & the Future of Governance: Explore DiverseForce's 5 Pillars of AI Governance, its role in public oversight and equitable service delivery, with case studies and a breakout question on AI strategy advocacy.
5
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM: Panel Discussion
A Conversation with Civic Leaders: Moderated by DiverseForce, featuring civic leaders discussing authentic leadership, navigating politics, and connecting with the community. Includes audience Q&A.
6
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Working Lunch & Reflections
Participants engage in table prompts for reflection, complete "commitment cards" for public service, and enjoy a cohort photo with networking opportunities.
Call to Action
"We're not asking public officials to build the bench — we're asking them to invest in it."
1
Support 50 Civic Bench leaders per year ($175k) in Philadelphia County as a pilot for targeted PA Expansion
2
Strengthen boards and commissions with community-connected leaders
3
Partner with DiverseForce to build the civic engagement infrastructure for a more representative democracy