Wexner Davidson Fellowship Grant

Wexner Davidson Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Wexner Family Charitable Fund
Last Updated: December 05, 2025

Summary

The Wexner Davidson Fellowship (WDF) is a transformative leadership development program designed for Jewish communal professionals in North America aged 26-36. Over three years, Fellows engage in cohort-based learning at biannual institutes, receive coaching, and deepen their Jewish knowledge while building a strong professional network. This initiative fosters personal and professional growth, equipping the next generation of leaders to serve their communities effectively and connect with a global alumni network.

Overview

Wexner Davidson Fellowship (WDF) The Wexner Davidson Fellowship (WDF) is a leadership development and Jewish learning initiative for North American Jewish communal professionals ages 26 - 36 years old. WDF provides opportunities for personal and professional growth to the next generation of Jewish professional leaders serving the North American Jewish community. Through the Wexner Davidson Fellowship, up-and-coming Jewish professional leaders will participate in biannual institutes focused on leadership learning and Jewish education. Outside of institutes, Fellows are provided coaching, personalized Jewish learning, professional development funds and access to other immersive learning opportunities still in development. This cohort-based program will deepen Fellows' leadership skills and Jewish knowledge and provide access to a worldwide network of diverse and innovative colleagues for the duration of the three-year program and the rest of their careers. Program Overview Through this three-year professional development program, Wexner Davidson Fellows will: Engage in cohort-based learning at biannual Institutes - Participate in six cohort-based Institutes (or virtual equivalent if necessary) on leadership and Jewish issues with skilled leadership teachers and Jewish educators. Institutes will feature learning in adaptive leadership, communication, diversity and equity, and innovation.Receive coaching - Receive professional small group coaching for the first year of the Fellowship and work one-on-one with a leadership coach for the subsequent two years.Deepen their personal Jewish learning - Institutes will feature group study around topics such as Mussar (character development for Jewish leaders) and Israel. Outside of Institutes, Fellows will work individually with a Jewish educator to achieve their personal learning goals.Invest in their professional growth - In addition to coaching and Jewish education, Fellows will have access to funding to support their own professional development.Build a strong professional network - There will be many opportunities for Fellows to connect with their fellowship cohort remotely between Institutes to network, share concerns and for peer-consultations.Join our worldwide alumni network - All Fellows will become part of The Wexner Foundation’s network of over 3,500 professional and volunteer leaders in the North American Jewish Community and in Israel.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants:Are based in North America and employed full-time by one Jewish communal organization.Will be between 26 - 36 years old by May 21, 2025Meet all of the work experience requirements below by May 21, 2025:At least three years of post-baccalaureate full-time work experience.At least two years of which must be at a North American Jewish communal organization.At least one full year of employment at current organization.Are a citizen of the United States, Canada or Mexico, or have documentation that allows them to work in that country.Receive the written support of the applicant's immediate supervisor and Executive Director of their current organization for full participation in the Fellowship Program (a letter of support will be provided for those invited to complete the full application).Will provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination (according to the CDC) before a finalist interview.All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, irrespective of denominational affiliation, gender, racial or ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation.Re-ApplicantsIf you have applied to any of The Wexner Foundation’s programs in the past, you are welcome to re-apply with an entirely new application. Because we are creating a cohort, each applicant pool results in different selections and re-applications are considered independently from past applications.

Ineligibility

If you applied to the Wexner Davidson Fellowship Class 1, you are not eligible to apply in back-to-back years unless it is your last year of eligibility.