The FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program

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

Lead the change.

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.

A Paid Two-Year Experience

Each year, the Fellowship reviews income benchmarking data across each of the three cities where Fellows are based. Using that information, we adjust our compensation as needed to ensure that Fellows receive a living wage, good benefits, and significant professional development training that will help launch their careers as social impact leaders.

We're proud to say that the compensation levels we support are competitive with similar fellowships.

2027–2029 Compensation

Beginning in 2027, FAO Schwarz Fellows will earn between $105,000-115,000 over the course of the two-year Fellowship. Fellows also receive the same benefits as entry-level employees at their host organization. These vary by host.

(Learn more about our new compensation levels at this link.) Details will be available when Fellowship roles are announced on November 1, 2026.

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.

The Fellowship is designed to develop the skills of young leaders committed to creating social change.

Direct Service and Strategic Projects

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

Fellowships in Three Cities

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

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.

Meet The Fellows

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

Meet the Fellows

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."

"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!"

"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."

"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!"

“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.”

"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."

Launching Careers in Social Impact

84

Total Number of Alumni Fellows since 2006

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

80%

Fellows offered roles with their host organizations over the last 3 years

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

65%

Currently pursuing graduate degrees

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

92%

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.

From The Blog

The Power of Pollinator Gardens: Building Community Through Conservation Action

Julie Kleaver July 8, 2026

When I applied for and accepted my role as an FAO Schwarz Fellow with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, I did so with one major goal in mind:

FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Announces Increase in Fellowship Compensation for 2027-2029 Cohort

FAO Schwarz Fellowship July 1, 2026

BOSTON – July 1, 2026 The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has announced a compensation increase for the 2027-2029 cohort of FAO Schwarz Fellows. Fellows will

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.

Host organizations for the 2027-2029 cycle will be announced in September. Applying is easy. You do not need to be nominated by your college. Applicants are required to confirm eligibility.

We host online information sessions throughout the year. See the schedule at this link.