Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) Application

The Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) is an innovative leadership development program that uses cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning to enhance skills and equip fellows to enact positive change in their organizations and communities.

Application Deadline: Friday, August 16th. To learn more about SLI, go here.

Your Full Name

Phone

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Organization

Title

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Dietary Restrictions

Allergies

List any special accommodations as needed.

The following questions are key considerations for our evaluation of applicants. We’re not looking for lengthy responses (a couple of paragraphs for each is ideal), but we encourage you to thoughtfully share your perspective on sustainability in South Carolina, how you might benefit from the SLI program, how you are positioned to lead and your potential focus for a final project.

What do you think are the most pressing sustainability challenges in SC?

How do you hope to advance as a sustainability leader through your participation in the SLI program?

SLI is designed for participants that are positioned to enact positive sustainability change. Please describe briefly your professional role(s) and the opportunities you have to create change in your organization and/or community.

If selected for the program, you will be required to complete a final project and presentation focused on a real-world sustainability challenge faced by you or your organization. This could be tied directly to your role, your community, or even a broader policy issue. While your topic can evolve over time, please describe the challenge you would choose to focus on if you had to decide today, and share why it matters to you, as a sustainability leader and/or your organization.

Please help us align your sustainability challenge (articulated above) with the following, broad sustainability themes. Select the option that is the best match. If you feel your challenge does not fit with any of the themes listed, please select Other.

Corporate Sustainability

Energy and Emissions

Forest Management

Land Management and Conservation

Materials and Circularity

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainability Communications

Other

If you selected "Other" as an option above, name the topic to the best of your ability.

SLI has limited scholarships available for participants from nonprofits and municipalities. If you would like to be considered, please select “yes” below.

Yes

If you selected “yes,” please briefly explain your need and how receiving a scholarship would support your participation in the program.

Digital Signature

By typing my name on this application, I indicate my awareness of the program dates, and the commitment needed to successfully engage in the 2026 SLI cohort. I certify that I understand that if I’m selected, attendance at all sessions and graduation are mandatory. I also understand the tuition fee is non-refundable. I understand that tuition is due upon acceptance into the Class 4 Sustainability Leadership Initiative by October 17, 2025 and commit to submitting payment by the agreed upon date.

Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) Application

The Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) is an innovative leadership development program that uses cross-boundary dialogue, field sessions, and experiential learning to enhance skills and equip fellows to enact positive change in their organizations and communities.

KEY DATES AND APPLICATION INFORMATION