National Hispanic Institute

The National Hispanic Institute, based in Maxwell, TX, operates a comprehensive network of intensive leadership development programs designed to cultivate the next generation of community leaders across the United States and Latin America. Since the late 1970s, NHI has developed nationally recognized leadership experiences tailored to different age groups and developmental stages, including The Great Debate for high school freshmen, the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session for high school sophomores and juniors, and the Collegiate World Series for high school rising seniors. The organization also offers specialized programming through its Collegiate Leadership Network for college students and the JFL Fellows program for high school and college volunteers. Operating from Maxwell, Texas, NHI annually serves over 3,000 young people through 14 leadership conferences held across multiple states including Texas, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Illinois, and Panama City, Panama. The organization has established itself as a self-sustaining nonprofit through student registration fees, volunteer contributions, and partnerships with colleges and universities that provide nearly $1,000,000 annually in in-kind support. NHI's multi-location infrastructure and national reach enable the organization to provide consistent, high-quality leadership training experiences that build critical competencies and knowledge needed to advance community causes.