PORTLAND — The John T. Gorman Foundation has announced the establishment of the John T. Gorman Fellowship, a new leadership program in Maine for nonprofit and public sector professionals. The Fellowship aims to help participants become more focused on results and build the vision, confidence and competence required to advance change and improve the lives of vulnerable people in Maine.

The program will develop public and nonprofit leaders devoted to issues related to the Foundation’s mission and investment priorities: improving educational achievement for young children, promoting successful transitions to adulthood for vulnerable older youth, helping struggling parents to support their families and enabling more low-income seniors to remain in their homes as long as possible.

The Foundation is accepting applications for the inaugural group of 12 fellows through Sept. 19. Applicants may come from across Maine and do not need to be current Foundation grantees. They must have at least seven years of experience in fields related to one of the Foundation’s four priority areas and must be in a position of influence and responsibility at their organizations.

Through a series of six two-day seminars in Portland starting in March, the Foundation will bring the fellows together to reflect on their current leadership styles and explore new skills and ideas. Discussions, exercises and practice around results-based leadership will be woven into both group work and individual activities. The Foundation expects that participants will apply these skills in their current positions and, ultimately, on a broader scale within their own organizations, systems and communities. A key element of the program will be exposing Fellows to innovative programs and policies nationally.

Applications and more information about the fellowship can be found at www.jtgfoundation.org/our-approach/fellowship.