Weitz Fellows Grant

The Weitz Fellows program, initiated in 2011 by the Weitz Family Foundation, connects recent Carleton College graduates with nonprofit organizations in Omaha and Lincoln. With a focus on enhancing career discernment and nonprofit appreciation, the program has evolved to include an open application process for interested organizations. Each fellow engages in a full-time role, supported by a $56,500 grant for salary and benefits, ensuring a valuable experience in the nonprofit sector.

The Weitz Family
As we learn from our community leaders, research, and nonprofit partners, we continuously work to improve our processes and outcomes that uphold equity and integrity.
The Weitz Fellows program has been in existence since 2011. The overall goal is to introduce recent Carleton College graduates to the nonprofit sector in Omaha and Lincoln to help them discern their future career and instill knowledge and appreciation for nonprofits.
In 2023, we decided to take a pause to improve the program. We spent time listening to organizations who have had a fellow, alumni of the program, and current fellows. One change we have made is to implement an open application process for organizations interested in having a Weitz Fellow.
The fellowship is a full-time position that begins in July or August of each year and ends in June or July of the following year. Fellows are full-time employees of the organization they are working at. Organizations receive a flat grant amount of $56,500 to cover salary, benefits, and professional development for their fellow. Any additional costs anticipated by the organization need to be covered by the organization.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Weitz Fellow, an organization must:
Be a grantee of the Weitz Family Foundation at the time of application.Work in the following sectors: advocacy/policy, arts, higher education, public health/mental health (non-direct services).Have salary ranges consistent with an entry-level position that pays at least $40,000/year.Provide health benefits (at a minimum) plus other organizational benefits including paid time off, dental, vision insurance, etc.
Have multiple departments that a fellow could rotate/shadow (5+ employees).
Have a work plan for how the fellow will be able to experience departments across the organization.
Commit a supervisor to meet at least bi-weekly with the fellow and participate in quarterly sessions with other fellowship supervisors.