The FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program

An intensive, transformative two-year experience designed for new college graduates interested in social impact leadership careers. The Fellowship is selective.​

The 2025-2027 Fellowship Hosts

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 CYCLE ARE NOW CLOSED.
Applications for the 2026 cohort open on November 1, 2025.

BCCS 2025
HRPRP
2 Fellows advocating for education in a government building
Fellow Ryan at MA State House speaking for Early childhood education

Learn

Launch a social impact career.

Fellows are recent college graduates working in paid positions at leading nonprofit organizations. The Fellowship experience includes direct service, strategic projects and professional development designed to jumpstart your career in social change.

Connect

Be part of a passionate cohort.

As an FAO Schwarz Fellow, you’ll join a cohort of talented leaders that includes a growing alumni network in a broad range of social sectors. Retreats and other events give you a chance to get to know other Fellows and explore a broad range of social issues and social change.

Lead

Develop your leadership skills.

The Fellowship builds leadership skills, deepens your knowledge of social challenges, expands your skills  and includes mentoring and connecting with social impact leaders. You’ll be challenged to explore difficult problems, reflect on their causes and test your ideas.

Developing the skills of young leaders committed to creating social change

Direct Service and Special Projects

By combining direct service and strategic projects, the Fellowship experience  deepens the Fellow’s knowledge of social challenges and builds skills and expertise.

Paid Positions in Three Cities

The Fellowships are paid, two-year positions with benefits at leading nonprofit host organizations in Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.

Mentoring & Professional Development

The program includes professional development and leadership training through regular retreats, mentoring and special community experiences.

A Valuable Network for Life

The Fellowship cohort connects future leaders to an extensive network of alumni Fellows and other social innovation leaders.

Boston Public Garden and Back Bay
NYC
Philly skyline

Meet The Fellows

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship program has hosted over 80 Fellows since its founding in 2006.

Meet the Fellows
Serena Salgado
Nia Atkins smiles for photo
Charlotte Blackman
Abi Mlo
Kira Azulay
Khari Graves, arms folded
Sophie Becker-Klein
Ryan Telingator
Kayla Johnson Headshot
Clara Monk

What Fellows Are Saying

"The time I spent as a Fellow taught me so much about the amazing organizations that are out there and the different ways that organizations are run. It changed the way I think about the nonprofit sector and has led me to pursue a career in nonprofit capacity building."
An FAO fellow with long brown hair bends down for a child to speak into their ear next to a group of young children playing a jumping game.
Dawn Lavallee, 2016 CohortRegional Partnerships Manager, Playworks New England, Boston, MA
"When I started my Fellowship, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and now I spend nearly every waking moment of my life thinking about education, education reform, and student advovacy. I would not be the person I am today without the Fellowship, and I will forever be grateful!"
Joe Rosales, 2016 Cohort
Joe Rosales, 2016 CohortDirector of College Counseling, Student Leadership Network, NYC
"The Fellowship has had a huge impact on my personal and professional development. I've gained skills, mentors and an incredible group of friends. I hope to give back a fraction of what it has and continues to give to me."
A Fellow standing in front of the Hudson River
Jen Benson, 2017 CohortWatershed Program Specialist at Hudson River Watershed Alliance
"I'm grateful for the professional development I received. So many aspects of the program set me up for success. The Fellowship was the jumpstart to my career. It helped me find my way to social work—which I'm pretty sure is where I am supposed to be!"
Maley Mullin
Maley Mullin Parilla, 2012 CohortSocial Worker, The Carroll School, Boston, MA
“My Fellowship was a launch pad for a long-term role as a Program Manager with my host organization—and what I hope will be a creative, innovative and brave career in nonprofit leadership.”
Sarah Kacevich, 2016 Cohort
Sarah Kacevich, 2016 CohortProgram Director, Farrington Nature Linc (Greater Boston area)
"The Fellowship gave me the opportunity to work in a situation that was driven by my investment in youth development. I have been able to take that investment with me into a more formal international school setting to strengthen my overall teaching and curriculum development."
Michael McNeill-Martinez, 2014 Cohort
Michael McNeill-Martinez, 2014 CohortSecondary English Teacher, Rome International School, Italy

Launching Careers in Social Impact

80

Total Number of FAO Schwarz Fellows since 2006

Students from every part of the country and and over 40 colleges have been selected as Fellows since our founding.

43%

Accept new roles with host organizations after Fellowship

Many Fellows choose to stay on in leadership roles at their host organizations.

63%

Currently pursuing graduate degrees

Fellows also use the Fellowship as a launch pad for graduate or professional degree programs

91%

Building Careers in Social Impact

Almost all our Fellows choose careers where they can continue to lead the change!

Fellowship Host Organizations

FAO Schwarz Fellows work at high-impact nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Audubon Mid Atlantic
Jumpstart
HRPRP
The Whitney Museum
BCCS 2025
Reading Partners
Riverkeeper
Playworks
Generation Citizen
The Clay Studio
Year Up
Mural Arts Philadelphia
U-Aspire
Breakthrough
Museum of Science

Sign up for Fellowship news, updates, and special announcements.

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From the Blog

Leaders matter more than ever.

At the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, we have always believed in the imagination, energy, and ability of each new generation to envision and create a better future and a better world.

Join us for our next online info session to hear directly from current Fellows. Learn more about the Fellowship and how to apply.

Learn More
A group of Fellows posing together in Philadelphia.

Are you the next FAO Schwarz Fellow?

Applicants must be college seniors at accredited four-year institutions at the time of application and be eligible to work in the United States for the duration of the Fellowship.

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