Lead the Change

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 2025-2026 Host Organizations

Applications open November 1.

2 Fellows advocating for education in a government building

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.

Fellow Ryan at MA State House speaking for Early childhood education

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 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
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.

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.

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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