The Pathways Program
LEADER APPLICATION
The Barton Institute for Community Action is excited to launch the 2027 Pathways Program! We invite experienced nonprofit, philanthropic, government, and education leaders to join us as Mentors in this transformative program designed to build capacity, strengthen networks, and foster impactful leadership across the nonprofit sector.
Program Background
In 2024, the Barton Institute engaged in community listening with 50 organizational leaders who identified as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and/or with a disability to learn about challenges and barriers they face. We learned that leaders felt exhausted, burnt out, and isolated. Additionally, leaders shared that they are navigating an extremely challenging fundraising landscape, coupled with a withdrawal of support for diversity, equity, and inclusion-centered efforts and commitments to growth and stability for leaders with marginalized identities. Further, leaders expressed a need for community and connection, identity-based mentorship, and ongoing capacity-building and sustainability support for themselves and their organizations.
Based on this, we launched the Pathways Program in January 2025. Through the program, we seek to support Leaders as they set goals and make progress toward achieving them; increase the presence, engagement, and skills of professional Mentors with historically marginalized identities in the Denver social change sector; and expand social and professional networks for Leaders and Mentors.
Leader Voice
“I'm so very appreciative of this program. It's helping me toward goals I had set for myself a year ago. Finding a formal Mentor and an ED support group of sorts, and the caliber of people and organizations, is a dream come true. The mid-career focus and focus on those with marginalized identities and the provision of funding for Leaders to support our investment of time and in ourselves during this challenging time is all so very appreciated!”
— Pathways Leader
Building Leaders, Building Community
The Barton Institute is excited to facilitate the third year of the Pathways Program. Designed to meet the needs of social change leaders with historically marginalized identities, the Pathways Program intentionally pairs Leaders with proven and experienced Mentors for a one-year leadership development program.
Throughout the program, Leaders will have an opportunity to engage with their Mentor one-on-one at least 10 times. Leaders and Mentors will use these hyper-individualized meetings to discuss what is most important to them— challenges, successes, questions, concerns—in a supportive and judgment-free environment. In addition to the one-on-one sessions, all participants—both Leaders and Mentors—will be required to attend in-person quarterly Cohort Sessions. These facilitated sessions are designed to enhance learning and create opportunities for fostering community among the cohort. While each Cohort Session will contain content tailored to the needs of the cohort, the primary goal of these quarterly gatherings is to provide space for self and community care and for growth and learning.
Both Leaders and Mentors will receive a $10,000 stipend for their participation in the program.
Time Commitment
Leaders and Mentors will schedule one-on-one sessions based on their schedules and are encouraged to meet both in person and virtually. Leaders and Mentors will also engage in several in-person events in the metro Denver area. These events include:
Leader Orientation on January 22, 2027, from 9–12 p.m.
Four Mentor and Leader Cohort Sessions on February 4, April 22, August 5, and November 4, 2027, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (with an optional catered lunch afterward).
Three informal social gatherings throughout the year.
Please ensure your availability for the Leader Orientation and all four Cohort Sessions before submitting your application.
Leader Voice
“My mentor is a dynamo. A wealth of information, resources, and knowledge. I just love how she answers every question with honesty that I don’t get from my board or anyone else. I feel I can reach my goal of expanding our program while getting the most out of it, and it being cost-effective. Learning to delegate, learning I’m not alone, and I’m in the right place. I’m learning how to have a personal life while keeping my nonprofit running. My mentor shows herself. I’m always in awe.
— Pathways Leader
Watch the Pathways Program Overview Video at: www.bartoninstitute.org/pathways
Eligibility
The Barton Institute is actively seeking Leaders to participate in the Pathways Program. Candidate criteria include the following:
Personal and Organizational Commitment to Advancing Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion:
The Barton Institute maintains a strong commitment to fostering and encouraging equity, belonging, and inclusion, and was founded on the philosophy that those closest to a problem are best equipped to solve the problem. Participants in the Pathways Program should demonstrate both personal and professional alignment with these philosophies.
Mid-Career Executive Director:
The Pathways Program is designed to accelerate learning and development and increase access to decision-making and power for mid-career executive directors. Program participants should have at least three years of organizational leadership experience.
Entrepreneurial Mindset:
The Pathways Program aims to engage leaders with big, bold visions for social change—leaders who—through their approach and their missions—are poised to make significant contributions to the sector.
Actively Seeking Growth Opportunities:
The Pathways Program will require a commitment of 2–5 hours per month and is designed to support the needs of leaders who are actively seeking engagement in personal and professional learning and development. Ideal participants are those who are aware of their areas needing personal and professional growth and are committed to exploring those areas.
Community-Minded:
The Pathways Program seeks to create a learning community. Ideal participants seek a professional community of social change leaders and are committed to authentic engagement with the community throughout the program.
Identity Matters:
Leaders with marginalized identities will be given special consideration in the selection process.
If you have questions, please reach out to Carolyne Ash, Director of Programs and Communications, at carolyne.ash@bartoninstitute.org or 720.288.8841.