Jane’s Fellowship Grant

Jane's Fellowship Program, established by The Russell Family Foundation, empowers grassroots leaders in Pierce County through a year-long cohort experience. Participants enhance their capabilities in areas like conflict resolution and storytelling, ensuring they contribute effectively to local challenges. With a stipend of $8,500 and additional funding for training, this program continues to honor the legacy of Jane Russell by nurturing future community leaders.

When the Russell family sold Frank Russell Company to Northwestern Mutual Life, Jane and George Russell funded The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) in 1999 with part of the sale proceeds. This led the way for the couple’s extended family to make a quiet, sustained, positive impact in the larger community.
Today, we are focused on addressing the climate crisis through our investment strategy, operations and grantmaking.
Jane Russell was the matriarch of the Russell Family and inspiration for Jane’s Fellowship Program (JFP). Jane was a mother and businesswoman who mentored emerging leaders by supporting their drive and challenging them to grow. In 2004, The Russell Family Foundation created JFP to honor her memory and continue her investment in supporting the leadership development and capacity-building of grassroots leaders in Pierce County. Since it began, the program has graduated 144 individuals from twelve classes. Current Fellows and graduates are making real, on-the-ground impacts in their local communities.
Jane’s Fellowship Program
Jane’s Fellowship Program is a year-long program that brings together a group of leaders who are actively serving Pierce County and working to address a wide range of community challenges. The goal of JFP is to deepen leadership skills, expand perspectives, and encourage collaborations for grassroots and community leaders. In this 12-month, cohort-based program, Fellows meet twice monthly to share in skills training, experiential learning, and community building. Through Jane’s Fellowship Program, Fellows will:
Deepen leadership skills and perspectives with a variety of tools and resources.Foster nourishing relationships with other Fellows and broaden networks by accessing Pierce County trainers, community leaders, and graduates of the Fellowship.Encourage collaborations through informed action, integrative practice and deeper awareness.
Group facilitationNavigating conflict and differenceGiving and receiving feedbackLeveraging personality strengths and communication styleSelf-awareness, mindfulness, and restorative practicesStorytellingClarifying your personal mission and visionStrenghtening communities by addressing systemic challenges and expanding access to opportunities
Fellows receive a stipend of $8,500 to honor their investment of time, based on fully meeting participation requirements. Fellows are eligible for up to $2,500 for coaching, training and educational opportunities that support their leadership development and learning goals.

Eligibility

Be a resident of Pierce County24 years of age or above​Able to commit to consistent participation in regularly scheduled activities for the duration of the 12-month program.

Ineligibility

The foundation does not fund overhead or indirect costs for colleges and universities.