BOSTON — APRIL 23, 2024  The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has announced the names of the seven recipients of the 2024 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.

In Boston, Anya Henry (Tampa, FL), a History and Literature and African American Studies double major from Harvard College will be a Fellow at 826 Boston. 

In New York City, Alex Gabriel (Bayville, NJ), an Art History major from Susquehanna University will be a Fellow at the Museum of the City of New York. Jacob Jeong (Los Angeles, CA), an Economics major from Washington University in St. Louis, will be a Fellow at Reading Partners. Shraddha Patel (Louisville, KY), a Sociology (Diversity and Inequality track) and Social Biology double major from the University of Louisville, will also be a Fellow at Reading Partners.

In Philadelphia, Julie Kleaver (Dowingtown, PA), a Sociology major from Temple University will join Audubon Mid-Atlantic. Emily Lu (Jersey City, NJ) an Education Studies major from Wellesley College will be a Fellow at The Clay Studio. Michael Varlotta (Pittsburgh, PA) a Comparative American Studies major from Oberlin College will be a Fellow at The Food Trust.

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 FAO Schwarz Fellowship is an excellent fit for changemakers interested in non-profit work and social impact, said Danielle Abdon, Director of Fellowships and Awards at Oberlin College. “At Oberlin, I advertise this opportunity as a way for our students to continue the work they are often already doing in our community, but in the context of a larger U.S. city through a program that offers funding, professional development, and a cohort of fellows with similar values and goals. The diverse missions of the partner organizations also ensure that there are opportunities relevant to students with a wide range of interests and skills.”

“We are delighted to see the passion for social impact from our impressive group of applicants,” said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Fellowship. “This year’s candidates are so thoughtful about their pursuits for social change, which came through in every application. As incoming Fellows join their host organizations this summer, they’ll begin their careers in roles designed to put their ideas to work, improve current and gain new skills, and deepen their knowledge of the social impact sector. I look forward to seeing them grow as leaders throughout the two-year Fellowship.”

CONTACT:

contact@faoschwarzfellowship.org

faoschwarzfellowship.org

About the 2024-2026 Host Organizations

826 Boston is a nonprofit writing, tutoring, and publishing organization where students in grades K-12 and beyond can share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders in school and in life.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity in Pennsylvania.

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. We work in partnership with artists and the community to advance the ceramic arts as a force for good to build connections where all can flourish.

The Food Trust’s mission is to ensure delicious, nutritious food for all. 

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.

Reading Partners’ mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering communities to provide individualized instruction with measurable results.