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.
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.
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.
Learn More About the Program and how to Apply
Applications for the 2026-27 Cohort will open January 12, 2026. Fill out the interest form to know when applications open.
Program Details
Hybrid 2026-27 Program Schedule
2026
- Program Orientation – July 14-16 (virtual)
- Learning Session 1 – July 22-24 (in-person)
- Learning Session 2 – October 27-29 (in-person)
2027
- Learning Session 3 – January - April (virtual)
- Learning Session 4 – May 19-21 (in-person)
Cost
Members
The cost of the program is based on your organization’s Council membership dues.
- Dues less than $4,000 – $5,600
- Dues between $4,000 and $15,000 – $6,500
- Dues greater than $15,000 – $7,550
Nonmembers
Cost of program for all nonmembers is $9,300.
