Lead the Change

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program

An intensive, transformative two-year experience in the world of social impact

The 2024 -2026
Fellowship Host Organizations

Applications for the 2024-2026 Fellowship are now closed. The 2025-2027 Fellowships will be announced in September. Sign up for our email to be notified.

2 Fellows advocating for education in a government building

Learn

Launch a social impact career.

Fellows are recent college graduates who work in paid positions at nonprofit organizations. The Fellowships include 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. Retreats and other events give you a chance to get to know other Fellows and explore a broad range of social issues.

Fellow Ryan at MA State House speaking for Early childhood education

Lead

Develop your leadership skills.

The Fellowship builds leadership skills, deepens your knowledge and includes opportunities for networking with social impact leaders. You’ll be challenged to explore difficult problems and reflect on their causes. 

Developing the skills of young leaders committed to creating social change.

Direct Service & 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 73 Fellows since its founding in 2006.

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

Launching Careers in Social Impact

73

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.

41%

Hired by their host organization

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

59%

Currently pursuing graduate degrees

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

95%

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
The Food Project
The Whitney Museum
NYC AUDUBON
Trust for Public Land
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.

From the Blog

2024 Annual Fellowship Newsletter

Each year, Fellowship alums share personal and professional updates, which make up our annual newsletter. Fellows from cohorts since 2008 share what they’re up to,

Read More »

The Power of Field Trips

Most of my direct service consists of teaching interactive, fun and meaningful field trips for K-12 students in the Museum of the City of New

Read More »

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 learn more about the Fellowship and how to apply. 

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.