BOSTON โ September 28, 2026. The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation has selected six leading nonprofit organizations to host six 2027-2029 FAO Schwarz Fellowships.
The Franklin Institute, of Philadelphia, and Mass Audubon, of Boston, were each selected to host FAO Schwarz Fellows for the first time. Children's Literacy Initiative, of Philadelphia, Boston Collegiate Charter School, of Boston, and Hudson River Park's River Project, Museum of the City of New York, both of New York City, are returning Fellowship hosts.
Children's Literacy Initiative, Boston Collegiate Charter School, and Hudson River Parkโs River Project will be hosting their second Fellows, while Museum of the City of New York will be hosting its eighth Fellow.
Darryl Williams, Senior Vice President of Science, Education, and Human Resources at The Franklin Institute, shares how their Fellow will contribute to the organization and Philadelphia community: โOur longstanding high school program fosters a sense of belonging, opens doors to the many facets of science and engineering, and creates community for young people with various lived experiences. Our FAO Schwarz Fellow will build on this supportive ecosystem by designing and implementing an alumni network that seamlessly bridges the transition from high school and beyond.โ
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is a selective national Fellowship program designed for college seniors interested in social impact careers. It is one of the few domestic fellowship programs focused on leading social change. Fellowship positions are paid, two-year experiences working at leading nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.
"Each year, we are so excited to develop engaging and meaningful Fellowships alongside our partners," said Priscilla Cohen, Executive Director of the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. "These leading nonprofits support Fellowships that encourage recent college graduates to pursue their passion and desire to create a better world."
Andrew Tharler, Assistant Director, K-12 Learning at the Museum of the City of New York shares, "As a longtime host for the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, the Museum of the City of New York is committed to developing future social impact leaders who bring new perspectives, strengthen communities, and help create a more inclusive future for New York City.โ
If youโre interested in learning more about the 2027-2029 FAO Schwarz Fellowships, please consider signing up for one of our three upcoming info sessions:
Boston Collegiate Charter School
Boston Collegiate Charter School prepares students for college. The school offers an academically rigorous college-preparatory curriculum for 700 students in fifth through twelfth grades and is committed to meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of each student and expanding its enrichment and extracurricular offerings to best serve its studentsโ interests.
Children's Literacy Initiative
For more than 37 years, Childrenโs Literacy Initiative has partnered with schools, districts, and communities across approximately 11 states to build coherent literacy ecosystems that enable children to become powerful readers, writers, and thinkers.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a leading science museum and center for science and technology education. As Pennsylvaniaโs most visited museum, it reaches millions of visitors through hands-on exhibits, public programs, and educational initiatives. The Institute is also a national leader in STEM education, developing and implementing programs that strengthen the capacity of educators and expand opportunities for students to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Hudson River Park's River Project
Hudson River Parkโs River Project is a leader in urban river education, offering hands-on STEM education and participatory scientific research to improve water literacy and communicate the ecological importance of the Parkโs 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary.
Mass Audubon
As a nationally recognized leader in environmental education, Mass Audubon reaches over 230,000 individuals annually through nature-based programs, Kโ12 programs, ACA-accredited camps, licensed preschools, school and community partnerships, and adult, youth, and family learning opportunities at sanctuaries and in the communities it serves.
Museum of the City of New York
A beloved cultural institution, Museum of the City of New York explores the people, places, and ideas that shape New Yorkโs iconic character. The Museum is one of the cityโs most popular field trip destinations, hosting 521 field trips for grades Kโ12 in the 2025โ2026 school year. Its professional learning programs draw from current and past exhibition content to provide grade-school educators and administrators with the classroom tools to teach historic and contemporary topics, primarily in the humanities.
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is an intensive, transformative two-year experience designed for recent college graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of social equity, pursue careers in social impact, and lead the change.
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The FAO Schwarz Fellowship Announces Six Host Organizations for 2027-2029 Fellowships
