Photo: The Greenlining Institute 2000-2001 Academy Fellows
"Fellowships provide an important and often missing training mechanism within the non-profit community. We have not always done a good job of providing support for people coming out of college to start their careers. Well run fellowship programs give you
a huge leg up to get the experience and training you need to be successful over the longer term."
Gary Cook
Director, Campaigner Fellowship
Greenpeace USA
There are an increasing number of fellowships available to the recent college graduate beyond those providing financial aid for graduate studies. Often funded by foundations or private donors, fellowships are designed to provide incentives and support to the new generation
of nonprofit leaders. These fellowships are formal programs lasting anywhere from three months to two years. They include stipends, challenging work experience, well-structured plans for training and professional development, and access to seasoned professionals as mentors.
In addition to well-established programs, often at universities or privately funded, nonprofits like Greenpeace are beginning to set up fellowships to attract emerging leaders, so opportunities are expanding.
Although this guide describes public policy-oriented fellowships, there are many other fellowships available in the arts, in education, and in other areas of the nonprofit community. Use the resources available in this guide and in other issue-oriented Idealist.org Nonprofit
Career Resources Guides to research opportunities in other fields.
