Frequently Asked Questions

This leadership development program is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds who are currently employed at foundations and grantmaking institutions, as well as those outside of the field of philanthropy. Each cohort includes 20-24 individuals seeking to prepare themselves as candidates for philanthropic leadership positions. 

Applicants will first submit and complete the application form by Monday, March 3rd. The application includes your answers to essays questions, your resume, and a recommendation from your current organization.  

To be considered for the Waldman scholarship, applicants must also complete the scholarship application.

Program finalists will be invited for a brief interview. Applicants will be notified on the status of their candidacy to the program in May 2025.  

1. What do you hope to achieve by participating in the Career Pathways program?  Why are you applying at this point in your career? (No more than 200 words.)

2. Describe a mentor or leader you have worked with and admired. What did you learn from their leadership? What did you learn about yourself? (No more than 200 words.)

3. Describe a personal or professional experience that didn’t go as expected. What did you learn from this experience, and how has it changed you professionally? (No more than 200 words.)

4. Share one example of how your personal and professional experiences shaped your understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), broadly. This can be, for example, a deepening of your understanding about power or privilege or navigating a tension in the implementation of DEI work or advocacy.  (No more than 150 words.)

5. Describe a significant challenge facing philanthropy and/or philanthropic leadership today. How would you navigate it or work to address it as a leader? (No more than 150 words.)

6. The Leadership-in-Action Project is intended to help you apply what you are learning and leverage your resources toward developing your vision and leadership in philanthropy. It is an opportunity to dive into a project in your organization, a passion project, or project for self-reflection, personal growth or learning. At this moment, what are some budding ideas you might focus on? (No more than 150 words.)

7. The Career Pathways community draws individually and collectively on each other's knowledge and support. What are you most looking forward to in interacting with the Career Pathways community? What are elements of yourself you want to contribute to the community?  (No more than 150 words.)

A broad range of individuals are eligible for participation. For more information, see the eligibility requirements and selection criteria for the program.

Whereas a fellowship typically includes a career experience away from one’s current employer, as a Career Pathways participant, you will maintain your current full-time career. The approval and support of your home institution is a critical extension of your learning experience.

You will join a cohort of allies and a network for life. Every participant becomes part of a small group of grantmakers who share, learn, and grow together—through open conversation and focused learning sessions. Alumni often say the experience builds friends for life, the kind of people they can ping with critical questions and rely on as a safety net long after the program ends. Career Pathways develops a generation of diverse leaders who are committed to the principles of DEI within their own organizations and the broader philanthropic sector. This program will take the mystery out of the executive hiring process while providing you access to a network of peers and experts committed to your success.

First, participants will analyze and identify their individual leadership styles and traits through reflection, a series of assessments and readings. Second, the program will introduce participants to a range of topics encompassing the major issues foundation executives face in their day-to-day work. Third, participants will gain access to a robust network of CEOs, trustees, search firm executives, and other thought leaders—all interested and engaged in your leadership preparation. Upon completion of the program, you will become part of our accomplished alumni network and continue to have access to unique leadership development opportunities hosted by the Council. 

Career Pathways engages philanthropic executives and thought leaders inside and outside the field of philanthropy.

Travel is designed into the 2025-26 program. A Learning Session listed as “In-Person” will require you to travel to the destination city. In 2025=2026, there will be three in-person sessions. These are listed below:

• LS1 – July 23-25, 2025 (In-Person) 
• LS2 – October 21-23, 2025 (In-Person) 
• LS3 – January 2025 to May 2026: 2-hour virtual meeting every other week. (Virtual) 
• LS4 – May 12-14, 2026 (in-Person) 

Please note: Your travel expenses are not included in your tuition cost. 

Yes.

Yes. A reference is required from your home institution and is expected to be from the current CEO or the supervisor to whom you report. References should be submitted during the online application process. If a letter for your home institution is not possible, you may submit a reference from a previous employer, however, we strongly encourage a letter from your current organization as a way to acknowledge their commitment to supporting you in the Career Pathways Program. 

Selection will be 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, and quality of nomination.

Yes. All applicants will be eligible for our Waldman Scholars scholarship program. Visit our Waldman Scholarship page for more information. 

Career Pathways is designed to benefit both individual participants and their home institutions while maximizing the leadership capacity of staff in their current as well as future roles. Full-time employment, with all attendant responsibilities, has been assumed by the program designers for all participants. 

Nevertheless, the support of participants’ home institutions will be paramount, as group learning sessions and other activities will require brief absences from participants’ home institutions. Participants should be prepared to work with their current supervisors to ensure that work obligations are met.

As with any professional development activity, individual applicants will need to assess the timing of participation in this program in relation to other obligations. Confidential professional career coaching and mentoring services led by foundation executives are included in the program.

No. While Career Pathways cannot guarantee participants will be appointed to leadership positions, it will empower individuals to become the best leaders they can be by cultivating philanthropic acumen, confidence, and networks. Participation in Career Pathways will build participants’ capacity to become even more effective in their current roles and more intentional in their contributions to the field of philanthropy, more broadly. 

The 2025-26 cohort will include 20-24 cohort members.

A panel of grantmakers, philanthropic leaders, and Council staff will review all applications. They will provide recommendations to the Council's leadership development team for the 2025-2026 Career Pathways program.

Career Pathways is an investment in philanthropic leadership, today and tomorrow. Your home institution will benefit from your participation through your increased effectiveness, your expanded networks, and your (and your foundation’s) recognition as a leader in the field. Your home institution will be invited to take an active role as appropriate in identifying leadership opportunities for you during the program. Your home institution is a vital and integral component of the program—both in its support of you as an individual and as an example of a foundation investing in philanthropic leadership.

The purpose of the recommendation letter is to learn more about you, better understand your journey with your organization, and get a sense of your organization’s commitment to your leadership development journey. Here are a few guiding questions you can provide your recommender to address in the letter: 

1. What has their experience working with you been like? 
2. How has the institution seen your leadership journey developing? Where do they see you in the next five years? 
3. Why do they believe you would be a strong fit for Career Pathways? 
4. How will the institution support you to succeed in the participation of this program?

You can submit your recommendation letter by uploading a PDF or Word document into the application form, or you or your recommender can email the letter to educate@cof.org by the application deadline, Monday, March 3.

Yes.

No.

Only one person per organization can be accepted each year.

You can complete the interest form to be notified when we're accepting applications.