Individuals who have excelled in corporate desk jobs may find themselves wanting a change in their everyday routine and vocation. Maybe you want to lean into advocacy or find ways to improve a social issue. But how do you shift from a corporate career to social impact, especially as a mid-career professional?
In this article, we showcase professional fellowships from non-profits, universities, and government initiatives that offer programs for social change. They cover an impressive range of professional fields, social issues, and support and funding methods. Topics of interest include environmental, justice, leadership, social impact, public service, health issues, and more.
If any stand out to you, be sure to bookmark them to your free ProFellow account!
1 Hotels Fellowship at E2
The Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) Emerging Leaders Program invites early to mid-career professionals working in sustainability and clean energy fields to collaborate via the 1 Hotels Fellowship program. During this 1-year program, six selected fellows will complete projects that help identify pressing environmental issues and needs across the United States, devising smart policies that can bridge together business, economic, and environmental concerns. Fellows receive a $20,000 stipend to support their project work.
Want to know more about this opportunity? Take a look at our interview with 2021-22 1 Hotels Fellow Adewale Adesanya!
AAUW Community Action Grants
Individuals interested in producing projects that promote education and equity for women and girls are encouraged to apply for AAUW’s Community Action Grants. These grants provide funding (between $3,000-$10,000) for the completion of these projects, which must have a direct public and social impact in the United States. Project proposals focusing on K-12 and community college education and opportunities in STEM fields for women are given special consideration.
Acumen Regional Fellows India
Indians of all ages and education levels are welcome to apply for the Acumen Regional Fellows Program in India. This is a one-year leadership development program for individuals seeking to initiate positive societal change. Fellows partake in five week-long seminars revolving around cohort-based activities that encourage self-reflection on one’s self and how they can devise practical solutions to societal issues. Fellows will remain at their jobs during the fellowship but are compensated for any program-related costs.
Acumen Regional Fellows Pakistan
Pakistanis of any age and education level (though high English proficiency is required) are welcome to apply for Acumen’s Regional Fellows Program in Pakistan. Over the course of five week-long seminars, which bring together 20 motivated individuals, fellows will spend time collaborating and self-reflecting on practical solutions to societal issues that deeply concern them. Fellows remain in their jobs during the duration of the program and are also compensated for their participation.
Acumen UK Fellowship
This fully-funded, year-long program invites 20 individuals to participate in a series of residentials, virtual workshops, and group practice sessions to help end poverty in the UK. The ideal applicant is what Acumen dubs a “builder:” individuals looking for ingenious and practical solutions towards ending poverty. “Builders” can hail from any professional background and position but should have at least 5 years of professional experience before starting the program. Upon completion, Fellows gain access to a vast network of previous Acumen Fellows, all united by a common goal of building a better world.
Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellowship
The Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) is a Harvard University-led program that allows Fellows to tap into the university’s vast network of supportive resources to pursue a social impact project. Individuals who demonstrate an impressive track record of achievement are invited to spend one year working on said project while also partaking in the program’s course curriculum, primarily based on the “Person, Problem, Pathway” framework. The level of support for Fellows is proportional to a Fellow’s professional status and life situation.
AsiaGlobal Fellows Program
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosts this 13-week interdisciplinary program for mid-career professionals looking to make positive changes as future leaders in Asian affairs. Professionals from any profession are welcome to apply for the AsiaGlobal Fellows Program but must demonstrate some form of engagement in policymaking, business, politics, or civil society. The program is conducted in English, and applicants are expected to show high proficiency in English. The program provides a monthly stipend that can be used for living costs and travel expenses.
Check out our interview with 2018 AsiaGlobal Fellow Wallace Yu if you’d like to learn more about this program!
Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity
This is a collaborative, dialogue-based program held at Columbia University in New York City, United States, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Each year, a cohort of 20 American and South African individuals demonstrating high leadership abilities engage in both virtual and in-person workshop sessions to help build solidarity and work towards a fairer and more just future. Fellows receive a stipend, coaching, and other forms of support to help complete projects related to the program objectives.
Blossom Hill Foundation Fellowship
Those who hold a deep passion for bettering war-torn communities in the Middle East are welcome to apply to the Blossom Hill Foundation’s Fellowship program. In particular, target applicants are social entrepreneurs who have already developed some form of project or program that targets its benefits toward Middle Eastern children either living in war zones or who have been displaced by war. The fellowship award can be up to $50,000 and can be renewed for additional years depending on the scope and extent of the Fellow’s project.
CEE-Change Fellowship
This twelve-month fellowship (with an option to extend six more months) provides ample professional development and networking opportunities for community leaders passionate about environmental issues and building stronger communities in the face of climate change. Through online and in-person activities, CEE-Change Fellows will learn to grow their leadership potential, engage in a vast network of like-minded individuals, and prepare for their long-term career plans. On top of all this is the opportunity for Fellows to attend the five-day Leadership Institute, for which they are financially supported to attend.
CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellowship
The CEO Action for Racial Equity (CEOARE) Fellowship is a highly flexible opportunity for professionals of any background and skill set. Using a business-led model, signatory organizations and businesses can sponsor an employee to work with CEOARE to contribute to the advancement of racial equity through public policy. Fellows collaborate with advocacy organizations, academics, community leaders, and decision-makers in a consulting capacity. Fellows can be sponsored to participate part-time or full-time for at least one year.
CHCF Health Equity Fellowship Program
If you’re a member of a BIPOC community who’s interested in advancing health equity in California, then the California Health Care Foundation’s (CHCF) Health Equity Fellowship Program is the perfect opportunity for you to make a real impact on this issue. As full-time, fully benefited employees of CHCF, fellows are trained over the course of 32 months to become program officers so they can advance health equity in four project areas that CHCF has identified: Impact Investing, Health Policy, Homelessness and Health Care, and Improving Access. Health Equity Fellows are paid an annual salary of $120,000.
Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund
American citizens who are alumni of a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program can apply for a State Department and Partners of the Americas-sponsored grant, which will be put towards public service projects that build community resilience and uphold democratic principles in a post-pandemic world. Grants between $500 and $10,000 are given to teams composed of U.S. Exchange Alumni who draw on their previous experiences to devise public service projects.
Community Fellows Program
The Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Community Fellows Program (CFP) is an excellent opportunity for emerging leaders who strive to achieve social justice and racial equity through nonprofit and public sector work. This fully funded program includes teambuilding and professional development activities, overnight retreats, management seminars, and problem-solving practice seminars. Individuals of any background are welcome to apply, but women and those belonging to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) communities are especially encouraged.
Dorothy Day Fellowship Program
Catholic organization Lydia’s House invites women of faith to apply for the Dorothy Day Fellowship Program. Through this two-year residential program based in Cincinnati, Ohio, fellows gain valuable insight into the inner workings of the homeless community, coming face-to-face with families experiencing homelessness. Fellows enjoy private living spaces, a stipend, additional education options, and growth and mentoring opportunities. Fellows are also welcome to take classes at nearby Xavier University with reduced tuition to work towards a master’s degree or professional certificate. Women of color are strongly encouraged to apply..
Encore Fellowships
The Encore Fellowships are paid, time-limited opportunities for U.S. and London-based professionals at the end of their midlife careers. Organized by CoGenerate (formerly Encore.com), these fellowships aim to bring together old and young people to work on solving critical social change issues. Encore Fellows are matched with social impact organizations and take on a mentoring role. These fellowships are flexible timewise, ranging from 6 to 12 months, and can be completed either part-time or full-time, ideally working for around 1,000 hours. Fellows also receive a $25,000 stipend.
Ford Foundation Global Fellowship
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ford Foundation Global Fellowship has been to identify emerging leaders worldwide dedicated to ending global inequality via innovative methods and solutions. This new program (launched in early 2020, just before the pandemic) equips participants with the necessary skills to develop leadership skills, develop their own Individual Learning Plans, attend multi-day convenings in various regions, and learn from site visits, guest speakers, and other experiences. Fellows are supported with a $25,000 stipend and fully funded travel costs. Fellowship candidates are nominated.
Fujitsu Scholarship
For 3 months, participants in the Fujitsu Scholarship program travel to four countries – Japan, the United States (Hawaii), Thailand, and Singapore – to develop a plan for social impact and innovation. During their travels, participants engage in discussions with local advisors and instructors, gain first-hand experiences of issues facing the local communities, and engage in dialogue with one another. Fellows present their plans at the end of their travels, implementing them upon returning to their home countries. This program is fully funded, covering tuition, travel, and housing.
If this sounds like an exciting opportunity to you, check out our interview with Fujitsu Scholar Gaurav Misa to learn more!
FUSE Executive Fellows
The FUSE Executive Fellowship program is the perfect opportunity for mid-career professionals who wish to enhance their professional network and opportunities and push for some change in the fight for racial equity. Applicants should have over 15 years of experience in the private sector and be interested in social impact. Prospective fellows apply as FUSE employees and are placed full-time in a government agency for one year, where they proceed to develop projects that cater to racial equity issues. Executive Fellows receive a salary of $80,000 and have access to a range of benefit options, including health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
GLG Social Impact Fellowship
Social entrepreneurs in leadership positions (founder, executive director, and/or CEO) are welcome to apply for the GLG Social Impact Fellowship. For 2 years, GLG Fellows will pursue solutions for key strategic and operational questions, interacting with GLG experts and with each other along the way. GLG Fellows ideally demonstrate a strong professional and entrepreneurial track record and clear organizational vision. Check out the website to see what past GLG Fellows have accomplished.
Global Good Fund Fellowship Program
The Global Good Fund Fellowship is an excellent leadership development opportunity for social entrepreneurs across the globe. Fellows are senior leaders, such as C-suite, founder/co-founder, or executive director, at social enterprises and are paired with a professional executive coach and C-suite business executive, the latter of whom serves as a mentor. For 1 year, Fellows enjoy an extensive toolkit of leadership development tools, coaching and mentorship sessions, and a $10,000 stipend.
Global Health Corps Africa Fellowship
Open to young professionals up to age 30 from 13 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Global Health Corps (GHC) Africa Fellowship is dedicated to promoting health equity across Africa. For 13 months, GHC Africa Fellows are placed in high-impact health organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa, where they collaborate, innovate, and create sustainable and social impact. Applicants have the option to choose from up to 3 positions that match their interests. With funding support from GHC, Fellows can also implement a health project in their communities.
Jeanne Sauvé Public Leadership Program
This two-year, two-part program is a stimulating experience for young thinkers and leaders who desire to change the world. The program’s first year is done full-time in the form of an intensive residential program in Montreal, Canada. Each program cohort faces a particular global issue during this part of the program. The second year transitions to a part-time structure where Fellows begin conducting fieldwork in their local communities and countries. Fellows are provided housing, monthly allowances for meals and other expenses, and round-trip transport fare to Montreal. Applicants must be between 25 and 30 years of age.
Landecker Democracy Fellowship
Landecker Fellows join a passionate group of young leaders from the EU, UK, US, and Ukraine united by a shared vision of strengthening our democracies and increasing civic engagement. For 1 year, Fellows design and implement their own projects that reinvent democratic spaces. Program organizer Humanity in Action provides guidance, programming, and supervision through a virtual and on-site training and community-building program. Landecker Fellows are further supported with a 10,000 euro stipend, up to 5,000 euros in seed funding, training expenses, travel, and accommodation costs. Interested applicants should have at least 5 years of professional experience.
Leadership in Government Fellowship
This is an opportunity for late-career professionals who’ve obtained and recently left senior-level U.S. government positions, with much of their work having revolved around advancing social change. Whether they want to shift their work towards private advocacy organizations or instigate change within the government again in the future, the ideal applicant should demonstrate that they can utilize their experience as public servants to make a social impact. Fellows work on a project for 12 to 18 months and are supported with a stipend ranging between $110,000 and $150,000.
Read the interview with Leadership in Government Fellow Roxanne Franklin Lorio to learn about her expereince and tips for your application!
Miller Center Accelerator Program
Based in Silicon Valley, this part-time accelerator program is for senior corporate leaders who are passionate about women’s economic empowerment and climate resilience. This program aims to provide additional mentorship and instruction for senior social entrepreneurs who desire to develop robust business plans for investment and growth. The program lasts for 6 months.
Mira Fellowship
The Mira Fellowship allows mid-career professionals to join and work with a small global cohort dedicated to changing the world for the better through visionary plans. Fellows engage in dialogue for six months through summits, coaching sessions, cohort collaboration, and additional networking opportunities to create actionable strategies for future social impact. Fellows receive up to $5,000 of research funding. Check out the program website to learn more about previous cohorts’ accomplishments.
National Equity Atlas Fellowship
Individuals from diverse backgrounds working in community-based organizations focusing on racial and economic equity are encouraged to apply for this intensive 1-year fellowship program. Fellows gain skills to advocate for policy changes supporting communities of color and receive hands-on data training. They’ll create data-driven visualizations and products to further their racial equity objectives. Fellows’ employing organizations receive $7,500 stipends to support their participation.
National Urban Fellows
This intensive 14-month program is designed for mid-career BIPOC professionals dedicated to advancing racial equity and social justice. It offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum to empower fellows as change-makers. Fellows engage in summer sessions for a Master’s in Policy Management degree from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. A 9-month intermission with partner organizations for personal and professional growth. Benefits include a $25,000 stipend, healthcare, books, relocation expenses, and all expenses paid for the NUF annual conference.
Learn how Robin was awarded a Master’s in Public Administration as a National Urban Fellow.
Open Society Foundations Soros Equality Fellowship
The Soros Equality Fellowship is an opportunity for mid-career (10+ years of work experience) leaders involved in racial justice. Fellows are encouraged to think outside the box and develop innovative methods to combat racial injustice. They ultimately develop a project that can meaningfully transform the systems of inequity and discrimination in the United States. Fellows are expected to devote at least 35 hours per week to their project. Fellows may be based outside the U.S., but their work must concern a U.S. racial justice issue and demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English.
Open Society Foundations Soros Justice Fellowships
The Open Society Foundations Soros Justice Fellowships calls for individuals of diverse backgrounds, whether in law, film, journalism, or arts, to develop projects that discuss and catalyze change around the U.S. criminal legal system at the local, state, and national levels. This 12 or 18-month program consists of two tracks: Track I is for those in the early stages of their career, while Track II is for established and experienced leaders. Those who choose Track I receive a $100,000 grant, while Track II Fellows receive $140,000.
Ronald “Elder” Freeman Memorial Policy Fellowship
This unique fellowship opportunity invites formerly incarcerated people to work at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) for 1 year to learn grassroots organizing, legislative and administrative advocacy, and other strategies to run local and state campaigns, all with the goal of putting formerly incarcerated individuals at the forefront of criminal justice reform. This is a full-time program with an hourly pay of $18 and additional benefits, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, 2 weeks of paid vacation, and 5 paid sick days.
Stanton Fellowship
This is a Los Angeles-based program that focuses on Los Angeles issues. Stanton Fellows are senior leaders working full-time at a public benefit organization (nonprofit, government, or social enterprise, but not educational) in Los Angeles County. As per the program, Stanton Fellows work for 2 years on a self-designed proposal project deriving from their own professional experience and network. Projects can tackle a variety of issues, from homelessness to job growth to air pollution, etc. Fellows are supported with $100,000 to help them carry out their project.
The Civic Changemakers Program
Based in Nigeria, the Civic Changemakers Program targets talented leaders who are fighting to solve civic and governance challenges in their communities. Open to Nigerian citizens and residents between 18 and 35, this 3-month program is all about channeling community leaders’ passion and drive to improve civic participation and governance across Nigeria. TransparencIT, the program organizer, supports Fellows through professional development, mentoring, networking, and peer group learning.
The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA) Fellows
TOLA is an intensive educational experience in the San Francisco Bay Area that trains Fellows to become better community organizers and leaders. Fellows undergo a combination of classroom instruction and project-based learning. Interested applicants must be between 22 and 35 years old and hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience. This program requires a full-time commitment for 4 months, and Fellows receive a $2,500 monthly stipend.
Western Union Foundation Fully Funded Accelerator and Fellowship
The Western Union Foundation and the Watson Institute have partnered together to offer this fully-funded fellowship program for young leaders and entrepreneurs who wish to support marginalized, refugee, or displaced communities around the globe. For one year, Fellows partake in a series of virtual workshops, talks, and other activities to grow their leadership and social impact abilities. Fellows also have the opportunity to develop a social impact venture, for which they can receive a stipend of up to $6,000.
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