Management Fellows program

Management Fellows program is sponsored by Development Leadership Consortium (DLC). The Management Fellows program is an advanced professional development program designed to prepare rising non-profit managers in the Chicago philanthropic community for leadership roles.

Management Fellows — Development Leadership Consortium The Management Fellows program is an advanced professional program that prepares the rising generation of non-profit managers in the Chicago philanthropic community to lead their organizations with confidence and knowledge.

Management Fellows Program Management Fellows is an advanced professional fellowship program that prepares the next generation of non-profit managers in the Chicago philanthropic community to lead their organizations with confidence.

Each class of approximately 10 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 management professionals. The program meets for ten sessions, September through June.

Sample DLC sessions include, but are not limited to: Finding the right job and/or career path Supporting/engaging institutional leaders in development Building, leading and managing a team Designing and implementing a campaign Developing a principal gift program. Each session is facilitated by the program facilitator and features a guest speaker.

While the programming and topics change from session to session, fellows are expected to engage in pre-reading and come prepared to engage in discussion with the speaker. Once the speaker departs, the fellows engage in a facilitated conversation around specifics of that session's topic. Fellows are expected to be active participants in both parts of each session.

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. Candidates must be both experienced and demonstrate leadership skills, 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 relations, external affairs, donor relations) who are managers. Priority is given to qualified alumni of the DLC Annual Fellows Program. Important Dates & Details Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are open.

The deadline for the 2026-2027 applications is 5 pm on June 1, 2026. Please direct any questions to the DLC Admissions liaisons: Alicia Petrone, alicia. petrone37@gmail.

com The program meets for ten sessions, September through June, from 6:00–9:00 p. m. , one Thursday per month.

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. Senior Counsel, TWB Fundraising 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. Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are open.

The deadline for the 2026-2027 applications is 5 pm on June 1, 2026. Please direct any questions to the DLC Admissions liaisons: Alicia Petrone, alicia. petrone37@gmail.

com You can view a pdf of the application here . “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. ” Director Online Engagement “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. ” Senior Development Officer “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.

” 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.