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Change Leaders In Philanthropy Fellowship

The Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship (CLIPF) is a 10-month intensive peer cohort program for senior leaders who are responsible for developing and guiding change efforts in their organizations. Senior leaders working at GEO member organizations apply to this fellowship comprised of peer learning, coaching and other activities.

About the Community

This fellowship began as a part of GEO’s larger Leading Change in Philanthropy initiative and is a response to requests from senior leaders in the sector seeking support, resources and guidance on how to lead equitable organizational change. The goal of the program is to develop a community of practice where senior leaders find coaching, resources and peer support to implement transformative change within their grantmaking institutions in ways that advance equity and support thriving nonprofits and communities.

GEO’s Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship is for senior leaders in the sector who are seeking support, resources and guidance on how to lead equitable organizational change. Fellows typically report to an Executive Director, President or CEO at a grantmaking organization, are leading significant organizational change and have direct authority over strategy, culture and/or philanthropic practice changes. 

For members with an annual grantmaking budget greater than $50 million in grants, the program fee is $12,000. For members with an annual grantmaking budget between $25-$50 million in grant, the program fee is $9,000. For members with an annual grantmaking budget below $25 million in grants, the program fee is $6,000. We appreciate organizations who donate beyond the fee to support our scholarship fund to make the program more accessible. 

Please use your foundation’s grantmaking giving range (e.g., grants, discretionary, FOI, etc.) to determine your fee. In addition to the fee, fellowship participants will be responsible for travel and lodging fees associated with each retreat. 

Applications for the 2026 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship cohort are open through February 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT.

2026 Cohort activities, both virtual and in-person, will run from February – November 2026. For further details on the required time commitment and more, please see the application and a recording of the Informational Webinar.

You can find a link here to preview the entire application and time commitment in advance. Please note that applications must be submitted through the official application link.

Apply for CLIPF

Applications for our next cohort of the Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship (CLIPF) are now open. Apply by Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT.

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