American Express Leadership Academy 2026 (Fully Funded)

The American Express Leadership Academy, delivered by Common Purpose, is a world-recognized leadership development programme designed to empower nonprofit and social-sector leaders. The programme focuses on building the next generation of “Resilient Changemakers” — leaders capable of navigating uncertainty, driving innovation, and creating meaningful social impact.

The Academy brings together talented leaders from across the world, offering a powerful blend of experiential learning, coaching, peer exchange, and practical tools to strengthen both personal and organisational leadership capacity.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is designed for individuals who:

• Work in nonprofits, NGOs, social enterprises, or mission-driven organisations
• Hold mid-level or senior-level leadership responsibilities
• Demonstrate strong leadership potential and commitment to social impact
• Are eager to grow, collaborate, innovate, and build resilience
• Want to strengthen their strategic thinking, communication, and influencing skills

The Academy is ideal for purpose-driven professionals who are ready to take their leadership to the next level.

Programme Structure — What to Expect

The Academy typically runs over six months and includes a mix of online and in-person learning.

The programme usually includes:

1. A 4-Day In-Person Immersive Session

A transformational learning experience where participants explore:

• Adaptive leadership
• Leading through complexity
• Decision-making under pressure
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Influence without formal authority
• Personal and organisational resilience

2. Online Learning & Workshops

Following the in-person session, several virtual workshops help participants:

• Deepen leadership insights
• Apply tools and frameworks to real challenges
• Develop personal leadership goals
• Receive coaching and feedback
• Build long-term networks with peers

3. Peer Networking and Community

Participants engage with a global network of nonprofit leaders, forming long-lasting professional connections and shared learning communities.

4. Fully Funded Participation

The Academy is funded by American Express, meaning selected participants do not pay tuition or programme fees.

Benefits of the American Express Leadership Academy

Participants often report powerful personal and professional growth. Key benefits include:

✔ Enhanced Leadership Confidence

Gain clarity about your values, strengths, and leadership style.

✔ Greater Resilience

Learn how to lead effectively during crisis, uncertainty, or resource limitations.

✔ Improved Communication & Storytelling

Strengthen your ability to inspire donors, partners, teams, and communities.

✔ Strategic Thinking & Innovation Tools

Learn practical frameworks for decision-making, problem-solving, and leading adaptive change.

✔ Global Network of Changemakers

Connect with fellow leaders from around the world, opening doors to collaboration, partnerships, and community support.

✔ Immediate Real-World Application

Tools and insights can be applied directly to your work environment, making impact fast and visible.

Why This Programme Matters — Especially for Nonprofit Leaders

The nonprofit sector operates in high-pressure environments where leaders face:

• Resource constraints
• Complex social challenges
• Burnout and emotional fatigue
• Cross-sector collaboration requirements
• Constant change and uncertainty

This Academy helps leaders become more resilient, innovative, empathetic, and effective — ensuring they can sustain their mission-driven impact in the long term.

Before You Apply — What You Should Prepare

To strengthen your application:

• Clarify your leadership journey and what motivates you
• Identify the impact you want to create in your organisation or community
• Show your willingness to engage deeply in personal development
• Highlight your contributions to the social sector
• Demonstrate openness to collaboration and learning

A compelling application will connect your personal purpose, professional experience, and the change you aim to create.

The American Express Leadership Academy is a unique, fully funded opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to grow their leadership capacity and create long-lasting social impact. It blends experience-based learning, global networking, resilience-building, and actionable leadership tools that participants can immediately put into practice.