Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the Career Pathways program, applicants MUST:
- Be an employee of a grantmaking organization, foundation, or a philanthropic institution
- Have at least 5 to 7 years of mid- to senior-level experience
- Have a serious interest in a senior and/or executive-level position in the field of philanthropy
- Receive a recommendation from their home institution (submitted during application process)
Selection Criteria
Selection will be highly competitive and based on the diversity and leadership potential of applicants, rooted in five criteria:
- Personal leadership goals
- Professional leadership experience
- Community and volunteer leadership experience
- Quality of applicant’s responses to essay questions
- Quality of nominations
Candidate Characteristics
- Commitment to equity
- Awareness of self, organization, community, sector
- Commitment to their own professional and personal leadership development
- Openness to learning about themselves and others
- Commitment to making a difference in the philanthropy sector by:
- Seeking executive level positions
- Pursuing leadership opportunities in their own organizations
- Creating impact in their communities and areas of work
What we expect from you
- Full participation in live Learning Sessions | Career Pathways features 3 to 4 multi-day live learning sessions. Virtual sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Each module will be 12-15 hours of programming in addition to 12-15 hours of homework, coaching, mentorship circles, and other activities.
- Timely homework submissions | Each learning module includes pre-reading, online activities, and online engagement through the Philanthropy Exchange. These homework activities complement the live sessions.
- Participation in individual executive coaching sessions | Each participant will be assigned a professional career coach for personalized guidance on career challenges, goals, and trajectories.
- Participation in monthly mentorship circles | Career Pathways alumni will host regular calls for a subgroup of your cohort. This monthly call is for reflection and advice as you move through your Career Pathways journey.
- Completion of a Home Institution Case Study Presentation | Each participant will select an issue or situation unique to their organization and engage leadership, mentors, and peers to explore the situation from multiple angles. Participants will present their case study in the final Learning Session.
- Support of your home institution | Your employer must support your participation in the program. Your organization must accommodate the time away from your regular responsibilities for you to participate in programming. Additionally, you will engage with your home organization throughout the process to ground your leadership development in the context of your current position.
Interested in Applying?
Applications for the 2023 cohort have closed. Complete the interest form to be contacted when applications open for 2024!