Leading the Way: The Nonprofit Leadership Program
Aurora University and the Dunham Foundation have partnered to offer Leading the Way: Nonprofit Leadership Program to nonprofit professionals whose organizations are located in or serve the foundation’s service area. Funded by the foundation, the program helps professionals strengthen their leadership skills, address organizational challenges, and build connections with other nonprofit leaders. Through complementary courses, practical resources, and ongoing learning opportunities, participants gain tools to strengthen their organizations and better serve their communities.
How the program works
Everyone starts with Foundations, including experienced executive directors. After Foundations, you can take the other courses in any order.
Step 1 · Start here Course 1Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership Step 2 · Then, in either order Ongoing · Stay connected For participants and alumniLeading the Way: Learning into PracticeCourse 1: Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership
The Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership course provides practical instruction for the essential areas of nonprofit leadership and management. This ten-session class covers leadership, board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, human resources, financial management, and organizational sustainability. Participants learn from experienced facilitators and each other, building confidence and skills they can apply within their organizations.
Participation is by nomination only. See how to nominate below.
After Foundations
Once participants complete Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership, they are eligible for the following courses, in either order.
Course 2: Advanced Nonprofit Leadership
The Advanced Nonprofit Leadership course builds on foundational learning to help nonprofit professionals address more complex management and organizational challenges. Through eight sessions, participants strengthen their expertise in financial oversight, board engagement, employee management, organizational sustainability, and collaboration across sectors. Practical tools, case studies, and peer discussions help participants connect course concepts to their own organizations and identify strategies for strengthening day-to-day operations and long-term effectiveness.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership
New This Year
Course 3: Leading Through Change
The Leading Through Change course helps nonprofit leaders prepare for and manage changes within the industry with a focus on responsible use of artificial intelligence and succession planning. This six-session course explores how organizations can evaluate AI tools, develop policies, and address ethical and governance considerations. Participants also learn strategies to prepare for leadership transitions, preserve institutional knowledge, and sustain organizational culture and services, while considering how these approaches can support their organizations’ missions and long-term stability.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership
Leading the Way: Learning into Practice
Learning into Practice brings current participants and program alumni together to share how they have applied their learning within their organizations. This opportunity lets participants discuss results, work through implementation challenges, exchange resources, and identify future professional development needs. By continuing these conversations beyond the classroom, participants strengthen professional relationships and support one another as they put their new ideas into practice.
Open to: Current participants and alumni of the program
Interested in Participating?
If your nonprofit organization is located in or serves the Dunham Foundation’s service area and you believe the program would strengthen your leadership skills, talk with your executive director, supervisor, or board chair about nominating you for Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership. Through the Dunham Foundation’s generous support, the program is offered at no cost to participating organizations.
Nomination Process
Ideal candidates include current nonprofit leaders, emerging leaders who have demonstrated significant potential and growth within the nonprofit sector, and seasoned corporate managers transitioning into nonprofit roles.
Nominations should be submitted by supervisors, board chairs, or other organizational leaders who can speak to the nominee’s qualifications, leadership potential, and commitment to the nonprofit sector.
Questions? Contact:
April Hix, Director of Partnerships, Aurora University
ahix@aurora.edu | 630-844-5441
What Participants Are Saying
- I personally liked meeting peers and learning from their experiences. I also liked that the instructors brought real world experiences to the class.
- The relevance of this program was clear to me. It provided a vision of what lies ahead in my professional journey and highlighted the skills I can develop to prepare for the next stage of my growth.
- This opportunity not only provided valuable teachable moments, but also opened the door to a new set of connections.
- I feel I was given useful information and tools to improve my organization in a variety of ways.