Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship

The Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship is a 10-month peer cohort program for senior executives who are responsible for developing and guiding key change efforts in their organizations.

Applications for the 2022-2023 cohort are now closed.

Program participants will explore what it takes to lead transformational change through an individual, organizational and ecosystem lens. Participants will convene in-person and virtually with one another to learn, share resources and apply insights to their work in real-time.

Meet the 2022-2023 Cohort

Meet the 2020-2021 Cohort

Meet the 2019-2020 Cohort

Meet the 2017-2018 Cohort

Meet the 2016-2017 Cohort

Informational Webinars

These informational webinars provide an overview of the program’s structure and goals, as well as an opportunity for you to hear and learn directly from program facilitators and current cohort participants.
Click here to access the recording of the informational webinar hosted on March 22.

Why is GEO leading this cohort?

This fellowship program began as a part of Grantmakers for Effective Organization’s larger Leading Change in Philanthropy initiative and is a response to requests from executives to have more support, resources and guidance on how they can lead organizational change efforts. In addition to creating a supportive community where executives have the assistance and guidance they need, the program also helps participants identify best practices and recommendations for creating organizational conditions that support nonprofit success.

With this fellowship, our goals are to:

1. Create a supportive community where executives have candid conversations and learn with one another about leading change within organizations to support nonprofit success.
2. Increase participants’ knowledge, skills and efficacy for implementing and guiding organizational change.
3. Identify best practices and recommendations for creating organizational conditions that lead to smarter grantmaking. These practices, informed by fellows’ experiences and related research, will be shared broadly with the field to support other leaders and build greater knowledge of leading change in philanthropy.

Who is eligible to participate?

Eligible participants in the Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship are senior executives who:

• Work at grantmaking organizations that are GEO members,
• Report directly to the CEO, and
• Are responsible for leading and/or supporting change in their organizations.

Preference is for only one participant from each organization, but we are open to having two or more participants from one organization if all fit the criteria above and are working together on a change project at their organization.

What if I don’t report to my CEO?

We recognize that organizations have different reporting structures. Participants should have enough organizational authority and influence to own and lead an organizational change effort.

What are the time commitments and participant expectations for the 2022-2023 cohort?

Learning communities rely on the active engagement of all members. The minimum expected time commitment for this cohort includes:

1. Full participation in CLIPF retreats. Each retreat takes the form of either a three-day in-person convening or four weekly virtual sessions over the course of a month.

• The First Retreat sessions will be held on Thursdays in October 2022
• The Second Retreat sessions will be held in March 2023 (with the option to meet in-person for three days if conditions allow) The Third Retreat sessions are to be scheduled for mid-2023 (with the option to meet in-person for three days if conditions allow)

2. Community activities between retreats

• Approximately 3-4 hours a month of peer exchange and coaching, including 90-minute monthly “home team” meetings with a small group.
• At least three 1-on-1 check-in/coaching calls with our facilitators throughout the program.
• Occasional webinars on topics of the cohort’s choosing.

3. Individual practice and reflection

• Approximately one hour each week for individual reflection, reading, and conversations inside your organization.

What is the fee for the program?

For members with an annual grantmaking budget greater than $25 million in grants, the price of participation for the 2022 - 2023 cohort is $5,800. For members with an annual grantmaking budget of less than $25 million in grants, the price of participation is $3,300. Please use your foundation’s grantmaking giving range (e.g., grants, discretionary, FOI, etc.) to determine your fee. Please note that fellowship participants will not have to pay for travel and lodging since we will not be hosting any in-person retreats this year due to COVID-19. There is the possibility of an in-person closing retreat in 2023.

In order to remove prohibitive barriers to participation and assemble a more inclusive cohort, GEO will offer a modest scholarship (up to a maximum of $2,000) to a maximum of two participants. Requesting financial assistance will not affect acceptance into the fellowship.

Have questions? Contact Akilah Massey.