Develop Your Career.

Annual Fellows is a professional development program that prepares professionals in the early stages of their career for success in ongoing service to the non-profit community.

Annual Fellows Program

Overview

The Annual Fellows Program  introduces early-career development professionals to the landscape of the philanthropic community through a ten-month program focused on conversations with senior professionals who represent the variety of specialities included in philanthropy and its professions such as:

  • Private and public foundations

  • Executive search

  • Consulting
    Board-level volunteers
    Senior fundraising professionals who work both independently and with institutions

  • Nonprofit marketing firms

  • Corporate philanthropy

Each class of approximately 18 fellows is led by an established facilitator, with significant experience in fundraising and non-profit management, who cultivates an atmosphere of mentorship and support for emerging professionals. The program meets for ten sessions, September through June.

Sessions

Each two-part session is hosted by one of these professionals, sometimes at their home institution. The first part of each session features an informal presentation by a host who introduces their institution, their approach and goals in philanthropy (whether as a funder, volunteer or institutional advancement professional), as well as how their path to their current role. After the formal presentation, fellows have the opportunity to ask the host questions.

Once the host departs, the fellows engage in a facilitated discussion of topics relating to their own careers, and trends in the non-profit community. Fellows are expected to be active participants in both parts of each session.

Diversity Commitment

The Development Leadership Consortium advocates for and nurtures a community of philanthropy that is representative of the world in which we live and serve, and is committed to diversity as it relates to race, gender identity, class, age, ethnicity, religion, LGBTQ+ status, and/or disability.

In alignment with this value, we seek to secure an inclusive programming pool and are interested in receiving a broad spectrum of candidates with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, experiences, and philanthropic passions from a wide representation of organizations.

Eligibility

Candidates are non-profit professionals in development and related advancement fields (alumni relations, donor research, donor stewardship, corporate relations, philanthropy operations, and events) in the early phase of their careers.

Important Dates & Details

Applications are now open for 2024-2025. Applications are due May 15, 2024.

Please direct any questions to the DLC Admissions liaisons:
Joe Volin, volin.joe@gmail.com
Rich Coplon, rcoplon@youth-guidance.org

Program Meetings

The program includes ten sessions, September through June, from 6:00–9:00 p.m., one evening per month.

Cost

The Annual Fellows program fee is $400, which covers all expenses except transportation. The DLC has also increased the amount of scholarship funding available this year, which will be awarded based on demonstrated need.

Program Facilitator

Andrea Porter

Major Gifts Officer, Illinois Institute of Technology

Andrea maintains expertise in raising funds and supporting new fundraisers to advance the missions of impactful organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. She is a trained fundraiser with 11+ years of experience. Currently, she serves as a Major Gifts Officer with the Illinois Institute of Technology. Prior to this role, Andrea has held leadership positions at both national and community-based agencies. She maintains a certificate in Fundraising Management and serves on the Continuous Learning Committee for AFP Chicago.

How to Apply

Applications are now open for 2024-2025. Applications are due May 15, 2024.

Please direct any questions to the DLC Admissions liaisons:
Joe Volin, volin.joe@gmail.com
Rich Coplon, rcoplon@youth-guidance.org

Hear from Fellows.

We asked DLC alumni what makes the Annual Fellows Program special. Here's what they had to say.

 

From Participants

“The DLC provided me with a group of colleagues who were at the same level in their careers, all with the same curiosity and drive to learn.  Because everyone is from a different specialty within the nonprofit sector, any sense of competition is neutralized, and we have truly became a professional support system for one another.  We can bounce new ideas off of one another, talk about upcoming events, end of year campaigns, Annual Fund appeal strategies, Board management, and, yes, even cranky bosses and frustrating co-workers.

It’s pretty wonderful to be able to talk shop with someone who completely understands where you’re coming from—rather than friends or family.  It is also comforting to learn from other fellows that my organization’s challenges and pitfalls are not entirely unique, and that I am not the only person who feels the way I do about one issue or another within Development.”

—
MARY HAYES
Development Coordinator
Facets Multimedia

“This Development Leadership Consortium is an amazing organization and there is nothing else like it.  I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the DLC and I hope to be able to give back tothe organization in the future.   Thank you!!”

—

COURTNEY KAHOUT
Associate Director, Gift Planning
University of Chicago

Development Leadership Consortium

Our mission is to mentor fundraising professionals who are new to the field and to engage them throughout their careers, encouraging their growth into committed, connected leaders of the philanthropic community in Chicago and beyond. 

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