Ignite Application deadline: September 17, 2026
Across the globe, coaching is helping nonprofit leaders, community changemakers, and mission-driven organizations create meaningful and lasting impact. Through the ICF Foundation’s Ignite Initiative, coaching becomes more than a professional development opportunity. It becomes a catalyst for stronger leadership, healthier organizations, and more resilient communities.
As the September 17 deadline approaches, ICF Chapters considering an Ignite project still have time to apply for the 2026 cohort. The application window closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 17, 2026.
What Happens When Coaching Meets Purpose
Post-coaching feedback from Ignite participants demonstrates the transformative potential of coaching. Participants have described gaining greater clarity, strengthening communication, becoming more intentional in their leadership, and developing practical approaches they can carry into their work and lives. View the 2025 Year-in-Review Report here.
These individual breakthroughs often extend far beyond the coaching relationship. As leaders grow, teams become stronger. As organizations become stronger, communities benefit.
Coaching as a Source of Stability in Ukraine
That ripple effect can be seen in the collaboration among the ICF Foundation, the ICF Ukraine Chapter, and Academy D.TEK. From August 2022 through December 2023, 150 ICF-credentialed coaches delivered 1,310 coaching hours to 234 Ukrainian leaders. The engagement focused on needs that included navigating challenging conversations, creating a vision, and influencing others.
Post-coaching results showed meaningful change. 90% of responding leaders reported a positive change in their ability to communicate well with others. Participants also connected coaching with improvements in productivity, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.
“During the coaching, I was able to find new goals in my professional development. I started to be more conscientious about planning not only work but also leisure time. This has had a significant impact on my productivity.”
— Ukraine project coaching client
The participant’s reflection captures why access to coaching matters. Coaching can create space to pause, reconnect goals with values, and make more deliberate choices, even in circumstances defined by disruption and uncertainty.
Coaching Impacts Society
The Ignite Initiative expands access to professional coaching for leaders and organizations working to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through partnerships among ICF Chapters, credentialed volunteer coaches, and community organizations, Ignite supports people addressing challenges such as education, gender equity, well-being, climate action, decent work, and peacebuilding.
The Ukraine project offers one powerful example of coaching in action. Its results reinforce a broader truth: when leaders have the space and support to reflect, adapt, and grow, they are better equipped to create positive change for others. Coaching’s impact can move outward from the individual to the team, the organization, and the wider community.
Apply by September 17
If your ICF Chapter is partnering with a nonprofit or mission-driven organization seeking to strengthen leadership capacity and create greater social impact, now is the time to apply.
The 2026 Ignite Initiative application period closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 17, 2026. Selected projects will join a global community using coaching to advance meaningful social change.
Together, we can continue expanding access to coaching and creating ripple effects of positive impact around the world.
Ready to ignite change? Apply by September 17 and help bring coaching to those creating a better future for their communities.
