The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society's Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through seminars with Third-sector practitioners, research based on best practices, and the application of a comparative framework. Fellowship awards are available for emerging leaders at community foundations, at place-based grantmaking organizations and/or institutions that support community philanthropy.
Young professionals interested in strengthening community philanthropy and building capacity in local Third-sector institutions are encouraged to apply. This year's Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grantmaking sector.
Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project. In addition, they attend weekly seminars, explore work of key agencies and foundations, meet with nonprofit leaders and study U.S. and international community foundation models.
Eligibility
and Selection
- The program is open to practitioners and researchers in the US and overseas.
- College or university degree and strong spoken and written English language skills are required.
- TOEFL scores or the equivalent are requested from those whose education was in a language other than English. Alternately, please provide a statement describing your facility with the English language within your professional sphere.
- Applicants should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the nonprofit/NGO/grantmaking field.
- Award recipients must have a strong institutional base and be well-placed to implement research recommendations.
- Preference is given to candidates who are 1) affiliated with a community foundation or initiatives to support community philanthropy development, and 2) who illustrate in their proposals a clear interest in furthering the work of community foundations and strengthening the local culture of philanthropy.
- Candidates affiliated with other institutions in the philanthropy sector who submit proposals on current trends and practices in philanthropy (other than community foundations) may apply for consideration on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors.
- A select number of full fellowship awards are available, which cover tuition, accommodations and other program-related costs. These are earmarked for citizens of countries other than the United States or for Americans from communities under-represented in the grantmaking sector.
- Participation on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors is open to all, regardless of country of origin or residence. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements detailed above to be considered for participation on a tuition or sponsorship basis. For further details, please send an e-mail request to cpcs@gc.cuny.edu.
- The selection of program participants will be made by a committee of leaders from the Third Sector.
Full fellowship awards cover the costs of tuition, single-room dormitory accommodations with shared facilities at International House (adjacent to Columbia University) in Manhattan, medical insurance, program materials, local meetings, local travel and other selected program-related costs.
