Lefcoe | Partnership

Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund

Lead Like Lefcoe.

For nearly 30 years, the Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund has turned engaged Portsmouth residents into the city's next generation of civic leaders.

Twelve weeks. One city. A lifetime of impact.

The Lefcoe Trustees will begin accepting applications for the Lefcoe class of 2027 on September 1, 2026.

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Our Story

The Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund and its three-month leadership program were founded in 1996, named for Portsmouth leader, volunteer, and native Vann H. Lefcoe. Vann's legacy lives on in every class that comes after him - a program built to identify, educate, and encourage the leaders our city needs next.

Since then, more than 600 graduates have gone through the program, the overwhelming majority of whom now serve on city commissions, boards, and in community organizations across Hampton Roads.

What You'll Experience

Twelve weekly sessions, each one built around a different piece of what makes Portsmouth run:

Small group discussion and reference material;
A trip to the Virginia General Assembly and Supreme Court;
Visits from elected city, state, and federal representatives;
Presentations from the heads of Portsmouth's community organizations and agencies.

2026 Course Outline

Course Overview & Effective Communications
Introductions to the Cohort
The Blue Economy
Education
Development & Redevelopment
What's News?
Business Creation & Entrepreneurship
City Management
Tourism & The Arts
Volunteerism & Philanthropy
Political Perspectives

"Being a part of the Lefcoe Class made me feel like I found my people.

There was such a variety of personalities and backgrounds, but we were all bonded by our common goal of improving our community.

I am filled with such hope for the future of Portsmouth with so many passionate people investing themselves into our city."

- Sarah Vega, Class of 2022

"The Lefcoe course established a foundation of understanding about the City of Portsmouth, past to present, and of the leaders within the city that work hard to make it better.

I was able to learn more deeply about these roles in our city government from the people who do the work. I now have a better understanding of what goes into running a city and have more clear ideas about how I could get involved.

The network and friendships I built through Lefcoe keep propelling me forward to do better and inspire me to stay involved in the community."

- Alexandra Westfall, Class of 2022

The Lefcoe Alumni Association

Graduating from Lefcoe is the beginning, not the end. The Lefcoe Alumni Association (LAA) keeps graduates engaged in the civic life of Portsmouth long after their class ends - organizing candidate forums, community conversations, and continued volunteer opportunities across the city.

Connect with the Alumni Association today!

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the program run, and how many hours are required?
Class begins on the first Wednesday of January till the last Wednesday of March each year. The class meets every Wednesday evening from 6-9 PM at Bloom Coworking, 739 High St. Portsmouth.

How many people are accepted each year?
Class size typically ranges from 20 to 30 participants, depending on applicant interest and instructional capacity.

How much does the course cost?
Tuition is $400. Limited scholarships are available upon request and approval.

Who can apply?
Anyone interested in better serving the Hampton Roads community, with a focus on Portsmouth.

When and how does someone apply?
Applications open September 1, 2026 and close November 1, 2026. Applicants are notified of acceptance by the end of November. Questions can be sent to lauren@portsmouthpartnership.org.

Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund

Lead Like Lefcoe.

For nearly 30 years, the Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund has turned engaged Portsmouth residents into the city's next generation of civic leaders.

Twelve weeks. One city. A lifetime of impact.

Our Story

What You'll Experience

Twelve weekly sessions, each one built around a different piece of what makes Portsmouth run:

Small group discussion and reference material;

A trip to the Virginia General Assembly and Supreme Court;

Visits from elected city, state, and federal representatives;

Presentations from the heads of Portsmouth's community organizations and agencies.

The Lefcoe Alumni Association

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the program run, and how many hours are required?
Class begins on the first Wednesday of January till the last Wednesday of March each year. The class meets every Wednesday evening from 6-9 PM at Bloom Coworking, 739 High St. Portsmouth.

How many people are accepted each year?
Class size typically ranges from 20 to 30 participants, depending on applicant interest and instructional capacity.

How much does the course cost?
Tuition is $400. Limited scholarships are available upon request and approval.

Who can apply?
Anyone interested in better serving the Hampton Roads community, with a focus on Portsmouth.

When and how does someone apply?
Applications open September 1, 2026 and close November 1, 2026. Applicants are notified of acceptance by the end of November. Questions can be sent to lauren@portsmouthpartnership.org.

Ready to Lead?

The Lefcoe Trustees begin accepting applications for the Class of 2027 on September 1, 2026.

Your city needs you at the table.

Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund

Lead Like Lefcoe.

For nearly 30 years, the Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund has turned engaged Portsmouth residents into the city's next generation of civic leaders. Twelve weeks. One city. A lifetime of impact.

Our Story

What You'll Experience

Twelve weekly sessions, each one built around a different piece of what makes Portsmouth run: ​

Small group discussion and reference material;

A trip to the Virginia General Assembly and Supreme Court;

Visits from elected city, state, and federal representatives;

Presentations from the heads of Portsmouth's community organizations and agencies.

The Lefcoe Alumni Association

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the program run, and how many hours are required? Class begins on the first Wednesday of January till the last Wednesday of March each year. The class meets every Wednesday evening from 6-9 PM at Bloom Coworking, 739 High St. Portsmouth.

How many people are accepted each year? Class size typically ranges from 20 to 30 participants, depending on applicant interest and instructional capacity.

How much does the course cost? Tuition is $400. Limited scholarships are available upon request and approval.

Who can apply? Anyone interested in better serving the Hampton Roads community, with a focus on Portsmouth.

When and how does someone apply? Applications open September 1, 2026 and close November 1, 2026. Applicants are notified of acceptance by the end of November. Questions can be sent to lauren@portsmouthpartnership.org.

Ready to Lead?

The Lefcoe Trustees begin accepting applications for the Class of 2027 on September 1, 2026. Your city needs you at the table.

For nearly 30 years, the Lefcoe Leadership Development Fund has turned engaged Portsmouth residents into the city's next generation of civic leaders.

Twelve weeks. One city. A lifetime of impact.

Twelve weekly sessions, each one built around a different piece of what makes Portsmouth run:

When does the program run, and how many hours are required?
Class begins on the first Wednesday of January till the last Wednesday of March each year. The class meets every Wednesday evening from 6-9 PM at Bloom Coworking, 739 High St. Portsmouth.

How many people are accepted each year?
Class size typically ranges from 20 to 30 participants, depending on applicant interest and instructional capacity.

How much does the course cost?
Tuition is $400. Limited scholarships are available upon request and approval.

Who can apply?
Anyone interested in better serving the Hampton Roads community, with a focus on Portsmouth.

When and how does someone apply?
Applications open September 1, 2026 and close November 1, 2026. Applicants are notified of acceptance by the end of November. Questions can be sent to lauren@portsmouthpartnership.org.

The Lefcoe Trustees begin accepting applications for the Class of 2027 on September 1, 2026.

Your city needs you at the table.