Emerging Leader Fellowship

_NOTE: Organizations submit an application form and a two-page summary describing the project they are interested in pursuing with an Emerging Leader Fellow. See Letter of Inquiry deadline above. Invited organizations submit full proposals to Stoneleigh. See Full Proposal deadline above. Stoneleigh notifies organizations about whether they are approved to enter the next phase of the application process, which involves recruiting potential Fellows._

Stoneleigh Foundation

We meet our mission by awarding Fellowships to exceptional leaders who advance change in the systems that serve these young people.

Emerging Leader Fellowship

The Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellowship cultivates the next generation of leaders advancing systems change to improve the lives of youth.

The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a two-year, hands-on learning opportunity for early career professionals in Greater Philadelphia. These projects focus on improving policies and practices in youth justice, child welfare, education, and health.

Emerging Leader Fellows come from diverse educational backgrounds, such as law, social work, public administration, and education. All possess a deep commitment to social justice; are proactive, organized problem-solvers; and are poised to become leaders in their fields. They advance change by advocating for policy and practice improvements, conducting applied research, advancing new approaches to service delivery, employing legal advocacy strategies, and building coalitions and partnerships.

Funding

The Fellowship award goes directly to the host organization and includes funds for the Fellow’s salary, benefits, and taxes. Salary is $60,000 in Year 1, with a 3% increase in Year 2. Stoneleigh also provides up to $2,500 for professional development expenses annually. All final budgets are approved by Stoneleigh.

The Emerging Leader Fellowship lasts for two years.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• What types of organizations are eligible to host a Fellow?
  • The following types of organizations working in Greater Philadelphia are eligible to apply:
  • Academic institutions (e.g., research centers, academic research hospitals, universities)
  • Nonprofit organizations (e.g., legal services providers, advocacy organizations, other service providers)
  • Public sector agencies (e.g., local/state government agencies, school district, district attorney’s office, judiciary)
  • Organizations must propose an idea for a discrete project to be carried out by an Emerging Leader Fellow.
  • Fellows typically create change by:
  • Advocating for policy and practice improvements
  • Conducting applied research
  • Advancing new approaches to service delivery
  • Employing legal advocacy strategies
  • Shaping and advancing narrative change
  • Building coalitions and partnerships
• What types of candidates are eligible to become a Fellow?
  • We are interested in providing an opportunity for early-career professionals who would benefit from the experience of leading a policy, research, advocacy, or communications project.
• Geographic Scope
  • Projects must have an impact on policy and practice that affects young people in Greater Philadelphia.
  • Typically, our Fellows work directly within or alongside systems in Philadelphia that serve these youth.
  • However, we also consider projects that focus on systems change in Greater Philadelphia; seek to effect change at the state level in Pennsylvania; or work on a national policy that affects young people in Philadelphia.
• Organizations may submit more than one abstract per Fellowship cycle.

Ineligibility

• Organizations that are currently hosting a Fellow are ineligible to apply.
• Staff currently employed full-time by the host organization, including Fellows, are ineligible to apply for the Fellowship.
  • Interns currently working for the partner organization are, however, eligible to apply.
• We do not support Fellowship projects focused on lobbying or advocacy aimed at influencing specific legislation or political campaigns.
• We do not support Fellowship projects that focus exclusively on providing direct services to individuals.
• We do not support Fellowship projects that do not impact youth or young adults.