Sent at the Right Time: How One Email Led Me to Lifelong Community
Alex Gabriel
July 6, 2026
As I approach the end of my time as the FAO Schwarz Fellow at the Museum of the City of New York, I have been
FAO Schwarz Fellows work at high-impact nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. These organizations are all deeply valued in their communities and have a strong record of delivering consistent results and high-quality services. Host organizations vary from year to yearโand all have a proven commitment to addressing critical issues of social inequity.
Fellows deepen their knowledge and understanding of relevant social issues, work directly with host communities, and lead strategic projects that strengthen the host organizationโs capacity and impact.
Fellows who start their Fellowship during the summer of 2026 will receive total compensation of approximately $110,000 (Boston & New York) or $96-100,000 (Philadelphia, depending on host organization) plus benefits over the two-year Fellowship.
Due to the differences in the cost of living, the salaries for Boston and New York City-based Fellows are slightly higher than those of Philadelphia Fellows.
"Since 2006, the FAO Schwarz Fellowship program has been working with nonprofits to develop the next generation of leaders who are actively driving change and positively impacting our society."
"I still talk about the Fellowship to this day, and about how it exposed me to a whole different side of nonprofits and outreach that I would never have seen in my first five years of work after college, much less my first year."
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is committed to investing in the professional development of our Fellows through a structured program of retreats, professional trainings, and mentoring.
Fellows attend two four-day leadership retreats each year to learn about the social impact sector, develop critical skills, and build relationships withโand learn fromโcurrent and alumni FAO Schwarz Fellows. For many Fellows, these retreats are one of the highlights of their experience. In addition to one-on-one weekly meetings with a supervisor, every Fellow has two mentors who offer support and guidance over the course of their Fellowship. Fellows also join a valuable network of current and alumni Fellows, as well as leaders from host organizations.
After two years, Fellows are well prepared for successful careers in the social impact sector.
As I approach the end of my time as the FAO Schwarz Fellow at the Museum of the City of New York, I have been
I am extremely grateful for these past 2 years. There has been so much change, transformation, reflection, and growth in my life during this time,
โHi everyone, Iโm Ms. Raeva, and I have one question for you: do you know whatโs behind me?โย I motion to the rain garden in
Yesterday, I met my supervisor in front of the James R. Ludlow school, an elementary and middle school that participates in The Clay Studioโs (TCS)