Develop Your Career.
The Management Fellows program is an advanced professional experience that prepares new generations of non-profit managers to lead their organizations with confidence and knowledge.
Management Fellows Program
Overview
Management Fellows is an advanced professional fellowship program that prepares the next generation of non-profit managers to lead their organizations with confidence.
Ten Management Fellows will be admitted to each year’s class. The program meets for ten sessions, September through June.
Sessions
Sample DLC sessions include, but are not limited to:
Finding the right job
Supporting/engaging institutional leaders in development
building, leading and managing a team
Institutional strategic planning and its relationship to fundraising
Designing and implementing a special campaign
Developing a principal gift program.
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 must be both experienced and promising, and have served in their current roles long enough to have a command of their responsibilities. Fellows include non-profit professionals in development and related fields (alumni affairs, public relations) who are managers. Priority is given to qualified alumni of the DLC Annual Fellows Program.
CFRE Certification
The Development Leadership Consortium's Management Fellows Program is an approved Continuing Education provider through CFRE International.
Important Dates & Details
Applications
Applications for the 2021-2022 Management Fellows class are now closed. Applications will open again in April 2022 for the 2022-2023 class. Please direct any questions to DLC Management Fellows liaisons:
Rich Coplan, rcoplan@youth-guidance.org
Jennifer Willbanks, jensan@gmail.com
Program Meetings
The program meets for ten sessions, September through June, from 6:00–9:00 p.m., one Thursday per month.
Cost
The Management Fellows program fee is $1,200, 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
Tom Wick
Vice President of Principal & Major Gifts, Rush University Medical Center
Tom has spent over 30 years in fundraising higher education, human services, and medicine. Before arriving at Rush University in 2018, Wick worked at the YMCA of Metro Chicago, the University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest College, Macalester College, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in positions that ranged from Director of Annual Fund, Director of Development, Associate Vice President of Development, Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, and Senior Vice President. In each role, Wick worked closely with trustees, the president, volunteers, and colleagues to raise the funds, including gifts of $1 million or more, the institution needed to fulfill its mission more effectively. Tom Wick is the founding facilitator of the Management Fellows Program for the Development Leadership Consortium.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2021-2022 Management Fellows class are now closed. Applications will open again in April 2022 for the 2022-2023 class. Please direct any questions to DLC Management Fellows liaisons:
Rich Coplan, rcoplan@youth-guidance.org
Ed Briscoe, etbriscoe@gmail.com
From Participants
“Tom Wick introduced us to leaders and ran through problem solving scenarios that all top fundraisers must know how to handle - everything from campaign planning, to board development, to managing your staff. I was impressed with the insightful feedback Tom provided and the material I worked on in that course make up my management toolkit today. I highly recommend the program to anyone interested in learning more about the industry from a true professional at the top of his craft.”
—
ERIC HORNER
Director Online Engagement
Northwestern University
“To know that I am not alone with the challenges I face and that I have a group of 9 other people who really get my work and appreciate me lifts my spirits. I know that even after this program ends I will have a “posse” of fellows to share best practices, have a beer with, or reach out to for guidance and support during difficult times.”
—
RUDY ASH
Senior Development Officer
Posse Chicago
“Thank you so much for the generous gift that made my scholarship award possible. Participation in the Management Fellows Program met and exceeded my expectations; the total experience was exceptional. From the stellar guidance by Tom Wick, the real-world advice of the prestigious guest speakers, to the friendships developed with my classmates, the program is a unique convergence of tangible lessons that seem rarely available elsewhere. I now feel more confident in my career development and believe that I can take on greater leadership positions. ”
—
SARAH KLEIN
Director, Donor Relations & Communications
American College of Surgeons Foundation
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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