Accelerate YOUR GROWTH & Impact

The RISE Fellowship brings together the next generation of highly-motivated, mission-driven, early career social sector and community leaders (with approximately five or fewer years of professional experience), who are passionate about social change and advancing equity. Launched in 2006 at New Sector Alliance, the RISE Fellowship formally transitioned to INP’s portfolio of programs in fall 2021 as part of a partnership agreement between the two organizations. Read more about the program transfer here.

WHAT IS THE RISE FELLOWSHIP?

The RISE Fellowship is designed for early career individuals looking for impactful leadership development opportunities to propel their careers. During the program, RISE Fellows gain an understanding of how mission-driven, social impact organizations function, develop essential leadership and professional skills, and engage in mentoring relationships and networking. The RISE Fellowship includes:

  • Monthly seminars, all of which deeply integrate the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, that explore career development, build knowledge about the social impact sector, cover essential leadership skills, and introduce the fundamentals of design-thinking.
  • Networking conversations with a diverse network of other nonprofit and social impact professionals to provide opportunities for connection, collaboration, and building social capital.
  • One-on-one mentorship with a social impact professional during the program.
  • Individualized coaching with INP Faculty to engage in action-oriented problem-solving for workplace based situations.
  • Peer learning with groups that meet regularly to work on skill development, offer mutual support, and expand upon workshop topics together.
  • Access to additional resources through INP’s active and diverse network. This includes learning from other equity-driven leaders including current students, alumni, faculty members, community partners, and funders.

Who IS AN IDEAL RISE FELLOW?

At INP, we know that the learning experience in the classroom is strengthened by the diversity of our participants, and through our programs we are working to create a social impact sector which is more effective, innovative, equitable and connected. Our cohorts represent individuals from a wide array of fields and roles, from education to the environment, human services and organizing and from finance to fundraising. We encourage candidates across all identities, backgrounds, and organizations to apply.

Ideal candidates for the RISE Fellowship program are:

  • Early career professionals (with approximately five or fewer years of professional experience) who are already employed and want to bolster their skills and networks in the social impact sector.
  • Growth-oriented individuals who are passionate about social justice, racial and gender equity work, and community change.
  • Individuals who are seeking to expand their careers, organizational impact, and enhance their leadership and impact through classroom learning, practical application and network building.

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Did you know?

We actively recruit diverse classes in order to strengthen students’ learning experience and build a leadership pipeline that reflects our communities. Over 60% of RISE Fellows identify as BIPOC.

Meet Our Current RISE Fellows

The most valuable part of my Fellowship experience was the holistic set of skills and knowledge for success I gained, both in life and professionally. RISE gave me a compass to guide me in thinking about how I can make the work that I do more impactful.

Sithara Kodali, RISE Fellowship Alum

I’m finally cultivating a career (and life) that I want because of all of the soul searching and tough questions that the RISE Fellowship challenged me with.

Mikala Bedor, RISE Fellowship Alum

sEMINARS

Generally, RISE Fellows meet every three weeks on Friday for an all-day session (10:30am – 4:30pm ET | 9:30am – 3:30pm CT | 7:30am – 1:30pm PT with breaks). Seminars are facilitated by a lead Faculty Member, complemented by guest instructors, and include engaging presentations, case discussions, and small group work with a cohort of 10 to 25 peers. 

Seminar topics include:

  • Designing Your Future: Employing Design Thinking to Shape Your Career
  • Building a Culture of Belonging: Maintaining Authenticity Inside Your Organization
  • Maximizing Your Communication Style and Approach
  • Making Self Care Habitual: From Resolutions to Lasting Behavior Change
  • Leadership Identity Assessment and Formation: Identifying and Leading Through Your Values
  • Results-Focused Work: Setting and Achieving Your Goals
  • Nonprofit Governance: Understanding How Decisions Are Made Inside Your Organization
  • Nonprofit Finance: Understanding How Resources Are Allocated Inside Your Organization

SCHEDULE

Applications are currently open for the 2023 Fall RISE Fellowship Program. The program is being held virtually for the duration of the program, from September 2023 to January 2024.

LOCATIONs

There are currently no geographic restrictions, though Fellows in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, New York, and Twin Cities may have the opportunity to gather in-person should it be deemed safe to do so. We encourage any and all early career social impact professionals in the U.S. and territories to apply.

Process

Our application process consists of an online application with three components:

  • Program preferences, education, and demographic information
  • Short responses to two prompts; Short answer questions are not evaluated as a writing sample — they are purely to understand more about you as a candidate. Candidates are not evaluated based on strength of writing. Please limit responses to 2-5 sentences. The two prompts are: 1) Briefly describe what compels you to work in the nonprofit, public, or social impact sector; and 2) What specific skills, knowledge, or experiences do you hope to gain from the RISE fellowship?
  • Virtual interview with an INP staff member

Applicants will receive a more detailed timeline during the interview process.

Application Deadlines

Applications are currently open for 2023 Fall RISE Fellowship Program. The priority deadline is June 9, 2023.

Apply Now

Tuition

While historically the tuition for INP’s RISE Fellowship has been $1,500, we are committed to making all of our programs as accessible as possible. Thanks to the generosity of our Board of Directors and funding partners, INP is now able to waive tuition for any individual who would like to attend the RISE Fellowship Program. Please do not let financial constraints prevent you from applying.

However, if you or your organization is in a position to contribute financially toward the cost of participating in the RISE Fellowship Program, it will allow INP to extend these types of opportunities to even more social sector leaders. If accepted into the program, you can let us know at the time of enrollment that you are open to a discussion with INP staff about this. The ability to contribute financially will in no way affect admissions decisions for this INP program.

Continuing Education, networking & alumni community

In addition to the significant learning and growth participants achieve during the RISE Fellowship, INP alumni gain access to lifelong alumni benefits including continuing education, networking opportunities, and more. Check out our Alumni page for more on these benefits.

Alumni Report

%

of RISE and Summer alums say that skills learned at the Fellowship were largely transferable to their current role

%

of RISE and Summer alums remain in social impact work

%

of RISE and Summer partner organizations agree that the support provided by RISE and Summer Fellows was a good or excellent value

%

of RISE and Summer alums continue to rely on their Fellowship network as an important support system outside of work

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