Community Fellows Program

Community Fellows Program

Overview: A fully funded, academic-year fellowship for high-potential, emerging nonprofit and community leaders with emphasis on social justice, community organizing, and building social capital and influence.

Status: Currently undergoing strategic reimagining. Applications are currently closed. Program will undergo intentional pause in applications for 2024-25 cycle to reshape and strengthen the program.

Target Audience: High-potential, emerging leaders committed to social justice seeking to expand management acumen. Candidates should be:

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 personal and community leadership skills

Early-career professionals with approximately five or fewer years of professional experience

Demographic Focus: While encouraging all early-career leaders to apply, CFP emphasizes advancing BIPOC leaders. Typically 80-90% of Community Fellows identify as BIPOC.

Geographic Scope: Boston (MA), New York City (NY), and Western New York

Tuition: Fully funded fellowship—fellows do not pay any tuition

Program Components:

Overnight Retreat: Opening retreat focused on "Power and Grace – Building a Community for Social Change"

Management Seminars: Twice per month (3:00-7:00 PM) covering:

- 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: Once per month (5:00-7:00 PM) facilitated by faculty using case presentation format for organizational and leadership challenges

Access to Resources: Learning from sector leaders, current students, alumni, faculty members, community partners, and funders

Program Year: Academic year beginning in October with twice-monthly Management Seminars and monthly Practice Seminars

Continuing Education: In Massachusetts, students can earn over 70 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure (258 CMR)

Certification: Community Fellows Program graduates receive a certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change

Alumni Benefits: Lifelong learning, alumni community, networking

CFP Alumni Outcomes:

Strengthened skills in organizational leadership

Increased confidence

Built networks

Enhanced self-awareness

Note on RISE Program: Early-career leaders can continue to be served through the RISE Program during the CFP strategic reimagining period.

Contact: recruitment@nonprofitpractice.org