Wexner Field Fellowship Grant

The Wexner Field Fellowship is a three-year program aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of Jewish professionals in North America. Participants engage in leadership institutes, receive personalized coaching, and gain access to professional development funds. This fellowship fosters a robust network of leaders committed to serving the Jewish community, encouraging a deeper understanding of its diversity and strengthening essential leadership competencies. Eligible candidates must be full-time employees at Jewish organizations with at least five years of relevant experience.

Note: Field Fellow applicants must submit a pre-application and a full application to be considered for the fellowship. Please ensure you submit your pre-application with enough time to fill out a full application (if approved). We recommend that you submit your full application several days in advance of the 2:00 PM Eastern deadline on September 29th to allow for any technical complications that might arise.
The Wexner Field Fellowship provides opportunities for growth to promising Jewish professionals who plan to continue to pursue careers as leaders in the North American Jewish community.
Through the Wexner Field Fellowship, Jewish professional leaders are provided in-person leadership Institutes, along with coaching, Jewish learning, and professional development funds. This cohort-based program will deepen these professionals’ leadership skills alongside a rich network of colleagues for this three-year program and the rest of their career.
Program Overview
Through this three-year intensive professional development program Field Fellows will:
Participate in six in-person cohort-based institutes (2 per year) on leadership and Jewish issues with skilled leadership teachers and peer Jewish educators.Receive one-on-one professional coaching, Jewish learning, and access to funds toward customized professional development opportunities.Become part of The Wexner Foundation’s network of 3,000 professional and volunteer leaders in the North American Jewish Community and in Israel.Connect with their fellowship cohort remotely between institutes to network, share concerns and for peer-consultations.Develop a nuanced appreciation for the diversity of the North American Jewish community.
Focus on developing strengths in adaptive leadership, effective communication, difficult conversations, negotiation and other crucial leadership skills.Connect with members of The Wexner Foundation’s alumni community.
Benefits & Expectations
Field Fellows will:
Participate in two in-person Institutes totaling approximately eight days of travel (six business days) per year for three years and ensure that there will be no conflicts with these programs. Spring Institutes are usually in March and Fall Institutes are usually in September or October. The Wexner Foundation covers all expenses for program participation.Commit to work full-time at a North American Jewish communal organization for all three years of the Fellowship Program and three years beyond (six years total).Select a professional coach from a roster of approved professional coaches to work with one-on-one on an ongoing basis. The coach will partner with Field Fellows and will meet 15-20 times a year for three years to help them reach their potential.
Work with a Jewish educator 12-15 times a year for three years to help expand their Jewish understanding based on their unique needs or participate in an immersive experience for the equivalent amount of time.
Benefit from access to a pool of funds (approximately $5,000 per fellow per year) for additional learning and growth. These funds can be used on Foundation-approved professional development opportunities and associated travel and accommodations. Field Fellows will be reimbursed for these expenses.
Must submit a personal W-9 (signed and dated in the current year) to The Wexner Foundation after they have been accepted. The Wexner Foundation cannot give tax advice. Some opportunities which are reimbursed may incur taxes.

Eligibility

Are based in North America and employed full-time by one Jewish communal organization
Have been employed full-time at their current organization for at least one year by April 1, 2026
Were born between April 2, 1975 and April 1, 1989 (ages 37-50 on April 1, 2026)Have at least five years of post-baccalaureate full-time work or volunteer experience
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 Executive Director and Board President 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)All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, irrespective of denominational affiliation, gender, racial or ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Ineligibility

Cannot apply two years in a row unless it is their last year of eligibility