Leading the Way: 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.
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 in the foundations course is by nomination only.
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.
Interested in participating?
If your nonprofit organization is located in or serves the Dunham Foundation’s service area and you believe this course would strengthen your leadership skills, talk with your executive director, supervisor, or board chair about submitting a nomination. Through the Dunham Foundation’s generous support, the program is offered at no cost to participating organizations.
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! 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
NEW! Leading the Way: Learning into Practice
The Learning into Practice course brings current participants and program alumni together to share how they have applied their learning within their organizations. This gathering offers an opportunity to 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.
Questions? Contact:
April Hix, Director of Partnerships
ahix@aurora.edu | 630-844-5441