GOLDEN GIFT FUND
The Golden Gift Fund offers professional life-changing leadership seminars

A Legacy of Leadership, A Future of Empowerment

DKG Ignite: Leaders Empowering Leaders is a transformative, one-week leadership development program designed to help DKG members unlock their full potential—both personally and professionally. Hosted by the top-ranked McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, DKG Ignite offers expert-led sessions in leadership, communication, and organizational development, paired with meaningful peer-to-peer collaboration. Participants consistently report life-enriching experiences, often crediting the program with inspiring career advancements and broader leadership engagement within and beyond DKG.


DKG Ignite 2024

From Golden Gift to DKG Ignite: A Rich History of Impact
The foundation of DKG Ignite lies in the Golden Gift Fund, launched in 1974 as part of Delta Kappa Gamma’s Golden Anniversary celebration. Sparked by a generous donation from Dr. Eula Lee Carter and bolstered by member contributions, the fund aimed to create lasting opportunities for women educators to grow as leaders. Originally known as the Leadership Management Seminar, the program began in 1980 and found its permanent home at the University of Texas in 1985. In 2020, the program evolved into DKG Ignite, featuring a modernized structure, a streamlined format, and a renewed focus on 21st-century leadership practices—all while preserving the seminar’s core mission of empowering women in education.

Your Opportunity to Ignite Leadership
Today, DKG Ignite is offered in even-numbered years, with the next seminar scheduled for July 12-18, 2026. With a reduced participant size for a more personalized experience, this modern leadership initiative is open to both emerging and established DKG leaders. The application window runs from July 1 to December 1 in odd-numbered years and can be accessed through the Apply/Submit section of the DKG website.

Don’t miss the chance to join a legacy of women leaders who have been empowered, motivated, and transformed by this exceptional opportunity. Apply now and ignite your leadership journey!


DKG Ignite 2024 Participants listen to a presentation

How to Apply

Complete the DKG Ignite Application (LMS) from the Apply/Submit section of the website (available July 1 - December 1 every other year) and submit it by December 1st (odd years).

“DKG Ignite was a turning point for me as a leader. I was finishing my doctorate and ready to return to a principal role. At DKG Ignite, I reconnected with who I was as a leader. That opportunity has allowed me to lead authentically with a clear vision of areas of strength and areas for improvement. With this self-realization as a leader, I have been able to lead strategically for the students, staff, and community I serve.”

- Dr. Angela Hill, NC DKG Region VI Regional Director & Phi Chapter President