The Community Fellows Program (CFP) aims to ground emerging nonprofit and community leaders in the systemic context of social change work to develop key management and leadership skills.

BECAUSE REPRESENTATION MATTERS

Built from community organizing values and frameworks, CFP invests in the next generation of high potential, emerging social sector and community leaders. CFP students advance their leadership skills, increase their social capital, and are embedded in a robust professional network to propel their careers forward.

There is no tuition. CFP is a fully-funded, academic-year fellowship engaging leaders poised to meaningfully advance social justice and their leadership and become part of a growing network of change leaders.

It’s more than a class. It’s a community. CFP includes:

  • Twice-per-month Management Seminars covering a range of topics in organizational leadership, including social justice and systems change, community organizing, personal brand building, fundraising, networking, developing your leadership narrative, healing and self-care, and much more.
  • Monthly Practice Seminar facilitated by Senior Fellows and conducted in small groups that engage in action-oriented problem-solving regarding specific leadership and management challenges confronted by students and their organizations.
  • Overnight retreat that allows for group connection and cohesion and the beginning of Fellows’ exploration of the connection between leadership and achieving community and social justice.
  • Intensive exploration of values and discussion of the impact of power and privilege on individuals, the nonprofit and public sectors, and society.
  • Access to additional resources through the Institute’s network. This includes learning from other leaders in the sector, current students, alumni, faculty members, community partners, and funders.

Who are the Community Fellows?

We actively seek to inform and advance a leadership pipeline that reflects our communities and strengthens inclusion and belonging in the learning experience. 

CFP is a good fit for high potential, emerging leaders committed to social justice and seeking to expand their management acumen. This fellowship is an opportunity to learn about organizing and justice for earlier career professionals who are:

  • Committed to and actively working within nonprofit, organizing or public sector careers
  • Passionate about social justice, racial and gender equity work, and community change
  • Looking to build their personal and community leadership skills

The primary goal of CFP is to advance the careers and influence of community and proximate leaders who can drive missions forward with values at the center. We are committed to advancing diverse leaders, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) and women, into leadership roles and encourage prospective students of all backgrounds who are focused on justice to apply. Social change requires all of us.

Applications for our Community Fellows Program are currently closed. Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when we open applications.

OVERNIGHT retreat

The CFP program year opens with an overnight retreat focused on the topic of “Power and Grace – Building a Community for Social Change.”

Management Seminars

Generally, Management Seminars meet twice per month, from 3:00 pm – 7:00 p.m. Management Seminars are led by a faculty member, with guest instructors. Topics include:

  • Equity-centered organizational leadership
  • Strategic financial management
  • Demystifying the leader’s journey
  • Storytelling for social change
  • Adaptive and facilitative leadership
  • Community organizing and leading for social change
  • Securing and managing organizational resources
  • Managing yourself and others across difference
  • Self-care, mindfulness, and healing

Practice Seminars

Practice Seminars meet once a month (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.), are facilitated by faculty, and use a highly engaging case presentation format for students to address organizational and leadership challenges in supportive cohorts. Students are supported toward identifying actionable steps toward their personal development goals.

Please visit our FAQ page for more details.

CFP Alumni Report

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strengthened their skills in organizational leadership

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increased their confidence

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built their networks

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enhanced their self-awareness

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