About the Career Pathways Program
Career Pathways is a leadership program that aims to awaken inherent and authentic leadership in individuals committed to strengthening their practice and building connections. This 10-month hybrid program is rigorous, highly personal, and built for mid-to senior-level philanthropic professionals. The program caters to individuals looking to advance their careers while contributing to a more equitable society. Participants will discuss philanthropic topics, as well as deep-rooted tensions within the sector, while exploring promising practices at a national level and building a community of support. The cohort will represent a wide range of foundations, grantmaking institutions, and philanthropic organizations from across the nation.
Applications for the next cohort will open on January 5, 2027. Fill out the interest form to be the first to know when applications open.
Career Pathways is the Council’s flagship leadership development program. It was launched in 2010 to increase the number of diverse candidates in senior and executive philanthropic leadership positions. Since then, the program has continued to evolve. We are moving beyond the traditional definitions of leadership and focusing on the lived experiences and practices that support and promote the recruitment and retention of people of color, individuals from marginalized communities, and their allies.
2027-28 Applications Open January 5, 2027
Learn more about the 2027-28 program
Applications for the next cohort will open on January 5, 2027. Fill out the interest form to be the first to know when applications open.
Important Application Dates
January 5 | Career Pathways and Waldman Scholarship Applications open
January 14, 2-3 p.m. ET | Virtual Information Session | Register here
January 19, 2-3 p.m. ET | Virtual Office Hours | Register here
February 16, 3-4 p.m. ET | Virtual Office Hours | Register here
March 1 | Career Pathways Application deadline
March 8 | Waldman Scholarship Application deadline
Why This Program
Career Pathways’ unique design is what makes it effective. Participants gain access to a community of peers. Together, this community will discuss timely and relevant topics in philanthropy, and explore leadership practices and organizational change strategies. The 10-month program concludes with a Leadership-In-Action Project, in which participants broadly apply what they have learned to their organization or the field of philanthropy. The program also provides structures of support for each participant to bolster their growth, including working with an executive coach to reflect and define their leadership styles and strengths.
The result: Participants graduate with a clear understanding of their authentic leadership strategy and have the enhanced skills and network to apply that strategy to their organizations and communities. Nearly 90 percent of Career Pathways graduates are now senior-level executives within foundations.
Applications for the next will open January 5, 2027. Fill out the interest form to be among the first to know when applications open.
Program Details
Hybrid 2027-28 Program Schedule
2027
- Program Orientation – July 13-15 (virtual)
- Learning Session 1 – July 29-31*
- Learning Session 2 – October 26-28*
2028
- Learning Session 3 – January - March (virtual series)
- Learning Session 4 – May 10-12*
*In-person events
Cost
Members
The cost of the program is based on your organization’s Council membership dues.
| Council Dues | Program Cost |
| Less than $4,000 | $5,800 |
| Between $4,000 and $15,000 | $6,800 |
| Greater than $15,000 | $8,600 |
Nonmembers
Cost of program for all nonmembers is $10,300.
Need financial support? The Waldman Scholarship covers Career Pathways tuition in full or in part as allocated by need.
