Announcements

Image features the headshots of new Fellows Avery, Jocelyn, Hal, Sarika, Sarah, Ryan, and Sabrina.

FAO Schwarz Fellowship Announces Recipients of 2023-2025 Fellowships

BOSTON — MAY 1, 2023 The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has announced the names of the seven recipients of the 2023 FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact.

The Foundation supports a new cohort of outstanding recent college graduates with paid, two-year Fellowship positions each year. Fellows work at leading nonprofit organizations in three cities: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Alumni of the Fellowship program go on to hold leadership roles at nonprofit or public service organizations and programs, attend prestigious graduate programs, and start their own organizations. This selective, domestic Fellowship is one of a few programs of its kind focused on social impact leadership.

"The candidates for this year’s positions are dedicated to social equity and so thoughtful about change. I look forward to seeing the impact they will make and watching them grow as leaders."

In Boston, Hal Taylor (Wise, VA), a Sociology and Communications Studies major from The University of Virginia’s College at Wise will be a Fellow at Year Up Boston. Ryan Corrigan (Warwick, RI), a Political Science major from Loyola Maryland University, will be a Fellow at Jumpstart Boston. Jocelyn Poste (Chelsea, MA), an Anthropology/Biology Interdepartmental major from Union College, will be a Fellow at the Museum of Science.

In New York City, Sarika Doppalapudi (Chicago, IL), a Collective Memory in Public Spaces concentration from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, will work at The Whitney Museum of American Art. Avery Trinidad (New York, NY), a Sociology major from Williams College, will be a Fellow at Year Up New York City. Sabrina Abreu (Staten Island, NY), a Political Science major from Boston University, will be a Fellow at Jumpstart New York City.In Philadelphia, Sarah Diaz (Miami, Florida), an Art History major from the University of Pennsylvania will join The Barnes Foundation. 

The Fellowship program seeks recent college graduates interested in developing their potential as leaders in the world of equity and social impact. The program provides each Fellow with a two-year paid position at a leading nonprofit host organization where they gain skills, expertise, and knowledge. The Fellowship also includes professional development experiences such as retreats, mentoring, and networking.

Dr. Katerina P. King, Director of Fellowships at Williams College, says of the Fellowship program, “FAO Schwarz Fellowship is a great opportunity for students seeking professional experience that centers on service and social impact. Many of my students want careers that are meaningful and create positive change in the world, and I am always delighted to suggest the FAO Schwarz Fellowship to them. This unique program, with its attention to leadership development, and its focus on problem-solving, is the perfect way to launch a bright young person’s purposeful career.”

“It’s exciting to see so much interest in social impact careers,“ said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program. “The candidates for this year’s positions are dedicated to social equity and so thoughtful about change. When they join their hosts this summer, they’ll find that Fellowship positions have been carefully designed in partnership with the host organizations to ensure that they get to put their ideas to the test, gain new skills and deepen their knowledge of social change. I look forward to seeing the impact they will make and watching them grow as leaders.”

CONTACT:

contact@faoschwarzfellowship.org

2023 Host logos

About the 2023-2025 Host Organizations

The Barnes Foundation promotes the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture. 

Jumpstart advances equitable learning outcomes for young children in underserved communities by recruiting and supporting caring adults to deliver high-quality programming to children and drive systems change through teaching, advocacy, and leadership.

The Museum of Science aims to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone through delightful exhibits, programs, curricula, and professional development offerings for educators. 

The Whitney Museum of American Art seeks to be the defining museum of 20th- and 21st-century American art, fostering the work of living artists at critical moments in their careers, often before their work has achieved general acceptance, and educating a diverse public through direct interaction with artists. 

Year Up’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.

 

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FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Announces Fellowship Host Organizations for 2023

BOSTON — October 13, 2022. The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has selected five social impact organizations to host the 2023-2025 cohort of FAO Schwarz Fellows.

The Foundation will sponsor seven, two-year Fellowships in social impact at five nationally recognized nonprofits. The organizations selected this year are the Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia), Jumpstart (Boston & New York City), Museum of Science  (Boston),  Whitney Museum (New York City), and Year Up (Boston & New York City). Jumpstart and Year Up will each host two Fellows, while the other host organizations will each host one.

The Fellowships are two-year paid positions that develop the leadership skills of recent college graduates interested in pursuing careers related to social change. From education in culture to education in science, from early childhood education to workforce development, from smaller and newer organizations to the larger and well-established, the diversity of organizations selected as hosts will provide the next cohort with a comprehensive view of the social impact landscape.

We’re thrilled to provide talented future leaders with paid, professional experience with our country’s leading nonprofits. They’ll have a unique opportunity to affect social change at this crucial time.”

“Young leaders are more important than ever as our greatest social impact organizations look to expand their reach and impact,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. “Meanwhile, graduating college seniors are looking to make an impact in the world and lend their talents to organizations with missions they believe in. We’re thrilled to provide talented future leaders with paid, professional experience with our country’s leading nonprofits. They’ll have a unique opportunity to affect social change at this crucial time.” 

Hosts are enthusiastic about the ways their Fellows can contribute to and enhance their work in the communities they serve: “The Barnes is honored to host and work with an FAO Schwarz Fellow, as this rising leader will contribute to our overarching goals of expanding our regional audiences, which in turn enriches our entire region,” said Valerie Gay, Deputy Director for Audience Engagement & Chief Experience Officer at the Barnes Foundation. “By working in under-resourced communities, especially with youth and their families, the Fellow will establish and deepen relationships that will have immediate and long-reaching benefits for both the audiences we serve and the Barnes.”

Jumpstart, a returning host, is excited to host two additional Fellows and help them develop as a leader. Mark Reilly, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, shared, “Jumpstart believes wholeheartedly in providing our FAO Schwarz Fellows with an amazing experience to learn about nonprofit organizations, community work, and policy advocacy and to develop crucial social impact and leadership skills.”

Organizational capacity is another common theme across hosts, as they can expand their services in valuable ways. Christina Moscat, Manager of Youth and Bilingual Offerings, at the Museum of Science, says, “We have valued the opportunity to host a FAO Schwarz Fellow and pair an emerging professional in the field to use their passion and near-peer perspective to mentor youth at the Museum of Science. The Fellowship has helped us create more opportunities to impact teen excitement and engagement with STEM.”

Adam D. Weinberg, Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, a first-time Fellowship host, makes a similar point: “The FAO Schwarz Fellowship will help the Whitney to become increasingly inclusive, welcoming, and accessible to all interested in learning about American art and artists.”

Year Up has enjoyed a long legacy of mission-driven FAO Schwarz Fellows, and looks forward to the next: “Connecting to our mission at Year Up is critical to the work we do and we’ve found the FAO Schwarz Fellows to be fully committed and engaged in helping us close the opportunity divide for talented young adults by providing the training and internships they need to start a meaningful career,” said Lindsey Himstead, Director of Marketing.

Applications for all Fellowship positions open on November 1, 2022.

 

Creating Future Impact Leaders

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship program is looking forward to welcoming its 16th cohort.  Since its founding in 2006, there have been over 65 FAO Schwarz Fellows. Nearly 60  percent have gone on to graduate programs, 42 percent have been hired by their host organizations, and 97 percent continue to work in the social impact sector.

About the 2023-2025 Host Organizations

The Barnes Foundation promotes the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture. (Fellowship description.)

Jumpstart advances equitable learning outcomes for young children in underserved communities by recruiting and supporting caring adults to deliver high-quality programming to children and drive systems change through teaching, advocacy, and leadership. (Boston Fellowship description, NYC Fellowship description.)

The Museum of Science aims to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone through delightful exhibits, programs, curricula, and professional development offerings for educators. (Fellowship description.)

The Whitney Museum of American Art seeks to be the defining museum of 20th- and 21st-century American art, fostering the work of living artists at critical moments in their careers, often before their work has achieved general acceptance, and educating a diverse public through direct interaction with artists. (Fellowship description).

Year Up’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education. (Boston Fellowship description, NYC Fellowship description.)

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FAO Schwarz Fellowship Announces Increase in Fellowship Salaries for 2023-2025 Cohort

BOSTON — July 19, 2022 The FAO Schwarz Fellowship has announced an increase in salaries for Fellows starting with the 2023-2025 cohort. 

When they start next summer, new Fellows will receive a salary of $40,000 in their first year,  which includes a $2,000 start-of-Fellowship bonus. In their second year, they will earn $45,000, which includes a $3,000 end-of-Fellowship bonus. In addition, 100 percent of the cost of health insurance premium coverage will be paid for both years (with an approximate value of $12,000/year), and Fellows will receive a monthly subway pass (with an approximate value of  $1,200/year)—for a total value of approximately $111,400 in compensation over the course of the two-year program.

The Fellowship will continue to monitor salaries in the cities where we offer Fellowships and ensure that Fellows receive a living wage along with the professional development, mentoring and experiences they need for a career in social impact.

Salaries are paid by the host organizations with funding support from the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation.

“The FAO Schwarz Fellowship program offers Fellow salaries that are very competitive with salaries and benefits offered by other selective Fellowships,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director, of the FAO Schwarz Fellowship program. “Add in the professional development that the Fellowship includes, and it’s clear that it is a valuable program for young people seeking careers leading social change.” Completing the two-year program can also “help young people advance more quickly to management positions leading social change.”

“We’re grateful that we can support this increase in partnership with our nonprofit host organizations,”  added Cohen. “The Fellowship will continue to monitor salaries and the cost of living in each of the cities where we offer Fellowships and ensure that Fellows receive a living wage along with the training needed to jump-start a career in social impact.”

Contact

A graphic of the new Fellows

FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program announces recipients of 2022–2024 Fellowship Awards

BOSTON — MAY 12, 2022 The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has announced the names of the seven recipients of the 2022 FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact.

The Foundation supports a new cohort of outstanding recent college graduates with paid, two-year Fellowship positions each year. Fellows work at leading nonprofit organizations in three cities. Alumni of the Fellowship program go on to hold leadership roles at nonprofit or public service organizations and programs, attend prestigious graduate programs, and start their own organizations. This selective, domestic Fellowship is one of a few programs of its kind focused on social impact leadership.

“We are so impressed with this cohort’s dedication to social equity, and the breadth and depth of their experiences."

In Boston, Vanessa Barragán (Pacific Grove, CA), a Biology & Society and English major from Cornell University will be a Fellow at The Food Project. Jahmali Matthews (Boston, MA), a Sociology and Creative Writing major from Hamilton College, and Juan Mojica (Dallas, TX) an Anthropology major and Race and Ethnicity studies minor from Southwestern University, will be Fellows at Breakthrough Greater Boston. 

In New York City, Jesse McLaughlin (Brooklyn, NY), who graduated in January from  New York University  with an Animal Studies, Philosophy of Science, and the Art Practice major, will work at New York City Audubon, and Natalia Wang (Chicago, IL) an Art History major and Chemistry, Art Theory & Practice minor from Northwestern University, will be at the Museum of the City of New York.

Kayla Johnson (Philadelphia, PA), a Human Development & Community Engagement major from Temple University will join The Clay Studio in Philadelphia for her Fellowship. Sophie Becker-Klein (Hockessin, DE), an Environmental Science major and Education Studies minor from American University will join Audubon Mid Atlantic, also in Philadelphia.

The Fellowship program seeks recent college graduates interested in developing their potential as leaders in the world of equity and social impact. The program provides each Fellow with a two-year paid position at a leading nonprofit host organization where they gain skills, expertise, and knowledge. The Fellowship also includes professional development experiences such as retreats, mentoring, and networking.

Jason Kelly Roberts, Associate Director with the Office of Fellowships at Northwestern University, says of the Fellowship program, “I love to recommend the FAO Schwarz Fellowship to my students–the Fellowship truly values the role of mentorship and community as students make the transition from full-time student to full-time professional. FAO leads the way in providing a foundation for growth and offers recipients an experience no other domestic fellowship program can match.”

“We are so impressed with this cohort’s dedication to social equity, and the breadth and depth of their experiences,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. “In partnership with our host organizations, we work to design transformative experiences that allow our Fellows to develop into social impact leaders. We look forward to watching them grow over the next two years, and to see the impact they make at their host organizations.”

About the 2022-2024 Host Organizations

 

Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s mission—like that of its parent organization, the National Audubon Society—is to protect the places that people and birds need today and tomorrow, through science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.

Breakthrough Greater Boston (BTGB) empowers educational experiences for traditionally underrepresented students on their path to college and is also the largest pre-professional teacher training program in the country.

As artists, advocates, and educators, The Clay Studio is committed to ensuring the space, support, and inspiration necessary for expression and mastery in the ceramic arts. 

The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.

The Museum of the City of New York fosters an understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis through engaging visitors in celebration, documentation, and interpretation of the city’s past, present, and future.

New York City Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitats in the five boroughs, improving the lives of New Yorkers.

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Logos of the 7 new host organizations for the 2022-2024 cohort, from left to right. Top row: NYC Audubon, The Clay Studio, Breakthrough Greater Boston. Bottom row: the Museum of the City of New York, Audubon Mid Atlantic, The Food Project.

FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Announces Hosts for Seven New Fellowships

BOSTON, MA. November 1, 2021 — The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has selected six social impact organizations to host the 2022-2024 cohort of FAO Schwarz Fellows.

The Foundation will sponsor seven two-year Fellowships in social impact at six nationally recognized nonprofits. The organizations selected this year are Audubon Mid Atlantic (Philadelphia), The Clay Studio (Philadelphia), The Food Project (Boston),  Museum of the City of New York (New York City), and NYC Audubon (New York City). Each will host one new FAO Schwarz Fellowship position. The sixth host, Breakthrough Greater Boston, will host two positions in Boston. 

In the wake of the pandemic and social unrest, many nonprofits around the country are engaged in radically rethinking their work and how they deliver their services from an equity, diversity and inclusion framework,

The Fellowships are two-year paid positions that develop the leadership skills of recent college graduates interested in pursuing careers related to social change. From education in culture to education in conservation, from food insecurity to college access, from small and newer organizations to the larger and well-established, the diversity of organizations selected as hosts will provide the next cohort with a comprehensive view of the social impact landscape.

 “Developing young leaders is more important than ever.  In the wake of the pandemic and social unrest,  many nonprofits around the country are engaged in radically rethinking their work and how they deliver their services from an equity, diversity and inclusion  framework,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. “At the same time, we know graduating seniors have had their educational experiences disrupted and face a tumultuous job market. We’re grateful we can provide talented future leaders with a paid professional experience—and a front-row seat to what we think will be an incredibly dynamic period of intense social change.”

 

The Fellows’ dedication to social change serves as an inspiration to hosts.  “Hosting FAO Schwarz Fellows has energized our team and pushed us to regularly ask ourselves where and how we can continue to learn and grow.  Their thoughtful ideas, willingness to innovate, and passion for impacting the world around them has enriched our organization as a whole,” said Amee Naik, Managing Director of College Access & Success with Breakthrough Greater Boston, which has hosted two Fellows in the past and is hosting two Fellowships for this short.

A first-time host, The Clay Studio is equally enthusiastic about hosting a Fellow.  “A commitment to community, learning, and social change is built into The Clay Studio’s DNA, so hosting a Fellow feels like a perfect fit. We hope this opportunity can be a stepping-stone for a recent graduate who is considering a nonprofit career,” said Carin Sankus, Education Manager with TCS.

Another first-time host, Suzanne Biemiller, Executive Director of Audubon Mid Atlantic shares, “The FAO Schwarz Fellowship will help Audubon expand its reach in Philadelphia. We cannot wait to have another enthusiastic staff person on board, bringing with them new ideas and perspectives.”

Host organizations also appreciate the value of increased organizational capacity that comes with hosting a Fellow, and use it as an opportunity to expand their service. Anne Hayes, Executive Director of The Food Project,  said “This Fellow will play a critical role in sustaining and expanding The Food Project’s food access initiatives, empowering the next generation of leaders, and help us to achieve our mission of ensuring everyone has access to fresh, healthy, affordable food.” 

Executive Director at NYC Audubon, Kathryn Heintz, makes a similar point. “We are eager to participate in this program to develop future social impact leaders, as well as to boost our capacity to inspire a new generation of advocates for conservation.”

Returning host, the Museum of the City of New York, has a long legacy of Fellows. “We remain honored that the Museum of the City of New York has been selected as a  host organization of a FAO Schwarz Fellow for the 2022-2024 cohort,” said  Whitney W.  Donhauser, Ronay Menschel Director & President at the Museum of the City of New York.  “For the many years we have been fortunate enough to host a FAO Schwarz Fellow, the  Museum has witnessed first-hand the enormous impact the Fellows have had on our  programming for students, families, and teachers. We are grateful to the Foundation for  this opportunity to continue to serve New Yorkers through this work.” 

Creating Future Impact Leaders

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship program is looking forward to welcoming its 16th cohort.  Since its founding in 2006, there have been 65 FAO Schwarz Fellows. Nearly 60  percent have gone on to graduate programs, 38 percent have been hired by their host organizations, and 98 percent continue to work in the social impact sector.

How to Apply 

The Fellowship is highly selective. To apply for the Fellowship, applicants must be college seniors at the time of application and eligible to work for two-years in the United States. Successful candidates will have strong academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to social impact. The application deadline for the 2022-2024 cohort is February 10, 2022 (11:59 pm EST). The Fellowships are paid two-year full-time positions and include benefits.

Visit the FAO Schwarz Fellowship website for more information.

ABOUT THE 2021-2023 HOST ORGANIZATIONS

Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s mission is to protect the places that people and birds need today and tomorrow, through science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.

The Clay Studio is committed to ensuring the space, support, and inspiration necessary for expression and mastery in the ceramic arts.

Breakthrough Greater Boston inspires excitement for learning, creates paths to college, and promotes careers in education.

The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. 

The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city’s past, present, and future.

New York City Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the lives of New Yorkers. We envision a day when birds and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable habitat.

ABOUT THE FAO SCHWARZ FELLOWSHIP

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is an intensive, transformative two-year experience in the world of social change designed to develop the knowledge and leadership potential of recent college graduates interested in careers in social impact.

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A blue graphic with yellow text announcing: The 2021-2023 FAO Schwarz Fellows. Across the middle of the graphic are pictures of fellows with their names and host organizations. From left to right: Nia Atkins at Year Up, Kendyl Boyd at the Barnes Foundation, Jasmin Norford at Jumpstart NYC, Ryan Telingator at Jumpstart Boston, Ciera Martin at Mighty Writers, and Kira Azulay at the Museum of Science

Foundation Announces 2021 FAO Schwarz Fellowship Recipients 

BOSTON — MAY 7, 2021. The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has announced the names of the six recipients of the 2021 FAO Schwarz Fellowship in social impact.

Each year, the Foundation supports six new outstanding recent college graduates with paid, two-year Fellowship positions at leading nonprofit organizations in three cities. Alumni of the Fellowship program regularly go on to hold leadership roles at nonprofit or public service organizations and programs. The prestigious Fellowship is one of a few programs of its kind focused on social impact leadership.

In Boston, the new Fellows are Ryan Telingator (Cambridge, MA), a government and legal studies major and sociology minor from Bowdoin College and Kira Azulay (Austin, TX)  a Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies major and museum studies minor from the University of Texas, Austin. Ryan will be at Jumpstart Boston and Kira will be the Fellow at the Museum of Science Boston.

In New York City, Jasmin Norford (Suwanee, GA), a graduate of Vanderbilt University and an English and philosophy major with a minor in Brazilian studies, will work at Jumpstart New York, and Nia Atkins (North Attleboro, MA), a political science major from Columbia University, will be at Year Up.

Kendyl Boyd (Teaneck, NJ), an art education major from Moore College of Art and Design will join the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia for her Fellowship. The second Philadelphia Fellow is Ciera Martin (Philadelphia, PA), an English major and writing minor from Penn State, who will be the FAO Schwarz Fellow at Mighty Writers.

The Fellowship program seeks recent college graduates interested in developing their potential as leaders in the world of equity and social impact. The program provides each Fellow with a two-year paid position at a leading nonprofit host organization where they gain skills, expertise, and knowledge. The Fellowship also includes professional development experiences such as retreats, mentoring and networking.

“The Foundation works closely with select host organizations to design high-quality, transformative experiences that develop our Fellows’ leadership skills,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. “We’re incredibly impressed with this next cohort and their dedication to social equity. We look forward to watching them grow into social impact leaders.”

CONTACT:

contact@faoschwarzfellowship.org
Faoschwarzfellowship.org

ABOUT THE 2021-2023 HOST ORGANIZATIONS

The Barnes Foundation is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution in Philadelphia, and its mission is to promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.
 
Jumpstart provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promotes quality early learning for all.
 
Mighty Writers’ mission is to teach Philadelphia students to think and write with clarity so they can achieve success at school, at work and in life 
 
One of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most highly attended cultural institution, the Museum of Science engages its audiences in STEM education through exhibits, in-person and digital education programs, and curricula.
 
Year Up seeks to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experiences and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.
Fellowships and Internships white paper cover design

Fellowships & Internships—How to Choose What’s Right for You

We often get questions about the difference between fellowships and internships. Many undergraduates are unfamiliar with the concept of a fellowship or imagine that they are exclusive experiences designed for a designated few. Internships feel more familiar.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, more than 60 percent of college students will complete at least one internship before they graduate. Many more will use at least part of their first year out of college to intern in a possible career field.

Fellowships, however, are less understood, far more scarce, and include more prerequisites and requirements. Many, for example, are only available to graduate students. It can be confusing to weigh the benefit of undertaking a fellowship experience.

"Many undergraduates are unfamiliar with the concept of a fellowship or imagine that they are exclusive experiences designed for a designated few."

a person wearing sneakers standing on pavement ling front of three arrows going indifferent directionsTo help college juniors and seniors assess the pros and cons of fellowship and internship opportunities, we’ve gathered thoughts and data in a white paper for your convenience. Fellowships & Internships—Eleven Key Differences And How To Choose What’s Right For You is now available for download.

Feel free to share. And if you have questions or comments, please let us know.

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Logos of the 5 new Fellowship host organizations: Mighty Writers, The Barnes Foundation, the Boston Museum of Science, Yearup, and Jumpstart.

FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Announces Hosts for New Fellowships

BOSTON, MA. November 1, 2020 — The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has selected five social impact organizations to host the 2021-2023 cohort of FAO Schwarz Fellows.

The Foundation will sponsor six two-year Fellowships in social impact at five nationally recognized nonprofits. The organizations selected this year are The Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia), Mighty Writers (Philadelphia), The Museum of Science (Boston) and Year Up (New York City). Each will host one new FAO Schwarz Fellowship position. The fifth host, Jumpstart, will host two positions—one in Boston and one in New York City. 

The Fellowships are two-year paid positions that develop the leadership skills of recent college graduates interested in pursuing careers related to social change. From education in the arts to education in science, from a focus on young adults to a focus on young children, from small and newer organizations to the larger and well-established, the diversity of organizations selected as hosts will provide the next cohort with a wide view of the social impact landscape.

In a year marked by a tragic pandemic and social unrest, developing young leaders is more important than ever.

“The Foundation works closely with select host organizations to design high-quality, transformative experiences that develop our Fellows’ leadership skills,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. “In a year marked by a tragic pandemic and social unrest, developing young leaders is more important than ever, Nonprofits around the country are engaged in radically rethinking their work and how they deliver their services. At the same time, we know graduating seniors have had their educational experiences disrupted and are now facing a tumultuous job market. We’re grateful we can provide these talented future leaders with a paid two-year professional experience—and a front-row seat to what we think will be an incredibly dynamic period of intense social change.”

The Fellows’ dedication to social change serves as an inspiration to hosts who take their responsibility for the Fellows’ professional development seriously. “It is critical for museums and cultural institutions to provide growth and learning opportunities for the next generation of change agents in the field,” said Barbara Wong, Director of Community Engagement at the Barnes Foundation, which is hosting a FAO Schwarz Fellow for the first time. Jumpstart President and COO Jennifer Templeman agrees. “We must all play a role in developing the young leaders who will create innovative and tangible ways to address inequities for the next generation.“

Host organizations also appreciate the value of increased organizational capacity that comes with hosting a Fellow.  Tim Whitaker, Executive Director of  Mighty Writers,  said “In light of the pandemic, it’s all hands on deck at Mighty Writers. To be effective, you need to be able to pivot quickly to meet the needs of the moment. Having a young fellow onboard that brings enthusiasm and energy to MW will be invaluable in this moment.”

Director of Education and Outreach Programs Sharon Horrigan at the Museum of Science in Boston makes a similar point. “Supporting the agency of young social impact leaders at the Museum of Science will help the organization be a relevant and purposeful community partner that inspires, innovates, and contributes to positive local and global social change.”

Two of the host organizations selected this year have previously hosted a FAO Schwarz Fellow. “We have consistently found FAO Schwarz Fellows bring unique perspective and insight to our work with young adults, and enrich the site in which they work,” noted Elaine Chow, Chief Human Resources Officer at Year Up, which is currently hosting two FAO Schwarz Fellows, which will be hosting two new Fellows, has also hosted previously.  CEO, Naila Bolus said, “FAO Schwarz Fellows consistently bring insightful, invaluable support to Jumpstart’s policy work and community programs, helping us make meaningful progress on our goals.” 

 

Creating Future Impact Leaders

The FAO Schwarz Fellowship program is looking forward to welcoming its 15th cohort.  Since its founding in 2006, there have been 60 FAO Schwarz Fellows. Sixty percent have gone on to graduate programs, 35 percent have been hired by their host organizations, and 98 percent continue to work in the social impact sector.

How to Apply

The Fellowship is highly selective. To apply for the Fellowship, applicants must be college seniors at the time of application and eligible to work for two-years in the United States. Successful candidates will have strong academic records, leadership potential, and a commitment to social impact. The application deadline for the 2021-2023 cohort is February 10, 2021 (11:59 pm EST). The Fellowships are paid two-year full-time positions and include benefits. Visit the FAO Schwarz Fellowship website for more information.

ABOUT THE 2021-2023 HOST ORGANIZATIONS

The Barnes Foundation is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution in Philadelphia, and its mission is to promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.

Jumpstart provides language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promotes quality early learning for all.

Mighty Writers’ mission is to teach Philadelphia students to think and write with clarity so they can achieve success at school, at work and in life 

One of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most highly attended cultural institution, the Museum of Science engages its audiences in STEM education through exhibits, in-person and digital education programs, and curricula.

Year Up seeks to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experiences and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

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A graphic showing The 2020-2022 FAO Schwarz Fellows.

Welcome to the FAO Schwarz Fellowship Class of 2022

Welcome to our new class of FAO Fellows, who have all begun their Fellowships at their Host Organizations. Though this year looks different with remote work and retreats, we look forward to seeing all that our fellows will learn and accomplish in their first year. Meet the 2020-2022 recipients!READ MORE