The Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative of the Mid-South (NLC) was formed in 2000 in response to a shortage of prepared, entry-level individuals interested in working in the local nonprofit sector. The mission of the Collaborative is “to recruit and prepare future nonprofit leaders,” and is a unique partnership, as it includes institutions of higher education, students, alumni and area nonprofits. Formerly the Mid-South American Humanics Collaborative, the group formally changed its name in August 2011 to reflect the rebranding of its national accrediting body, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

The Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative of the Mid-South supports the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance programs at LeMoyne-Owen College and the University of Memphis. The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, formerly American Humanics, is a sixty year old national certification program dedicated to preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.