Fellowship Professional Development

The professional development component of the Fellowship is central to the growth Fellows experience. Its purpose is to provide a theoretical and practical framework for Fellows to begin implementing the skills of effective leaders.

Fellows participate in extensive, continuous professional development throughout their two years both formally - through speakers, classes and projects - and informally through practicing their skills every day in a challenging work environment.

The professional development curriculum is divided by year. Professional development in the first year is dedicated to skill-building, nonprofit sector education and exploring the theoretical framework of leadership. In the second year, Fellows put their skills and self-understanding into practice, enhancing their experience through increased responsibility in training and development. The following represents a sample of the training and development that may be offered during the two-year Fellowship program.

First Year Themes 

Self-Awareness & Leadership Development

• Five Pratices of Exemplary Leadership of Jim Kouzes & Barry Posner
• Theories of leadership
• Followership
• Office culture
• Myers-Briggs Behavioral Preference
• TKI Conflict Management Assessment
• Teambuilding

Nonprofit Management

• Legal framework
• History of philanthropy and charitable giving
• Essential components of a development program including
• Annual and capital campaigns
• Endowments
• Case for support
• Data management
• Communications
• Strategic planning
• Board governance
• Community development in rural regions

Grantmaking

• El Pomar Foundation's history and philosophy
• Review grant requests
• Site visits with grantseekers and compliance visits with grant recipients
• Read and interpret financial statements
• Utilize GIFTS grants management software

Professional Skills

• Microsoft Office to include: Word, Outlook, Access, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint
• Time management and office organization
• Public speaking
• Business writing
• Professionalism
• Hiring and competency-based interviews
• Special events organization and management

Second Year Themes

Leadership & Teambuilding

• Direct management experience
• Mentorship of new Fellows
• Strategic planning
• Leadership and management discussions
• Conducting performance reviews
• New employee orientation

Nonprofit Management

• Development and management of a budget
• Community development
• Board work
• Grant reviews, site visits and compliance visits
• Fundraising
• Technical Assistance projects

Career-Development

• Personal development plan
• Career development sessions
• LPI 360 Feedback

Fellowship-Wide Professional Development

Investment Challenge
A year-long professional development series exploring the principle concepts of investing, endowment management, and personal finance. Through stock market simulations, outside speakers, and classroom sessions overseen by El Pomar's internal investment office, Fellows come to understand the principal concepts of sound investment decisions, financial management, and the role that the economy and stock market play in running a successful nonprofit. The class culminates with top performing individuals and investment teams getting to make real financial decisions.

Guest Lectures
Utilizing the extensive experience of El Pomar Foundation's senior staff in conjunction with guest speakers from across the country, Fellows are afforded a unique opportunity to discuss issues in-depth in focused, small sessions throughout the year.