The Funders Network (TFN) is pleased to accept applications for the 2022 class of its leadership development program designed for professionals in philanthropy (or individuals working within an institution with grantmaking) who are dedicated to creating more equitable, diverse and inclusive neighborhoods and communities.
The PLACES (Professionals Learning About Community Equity and Sustainability) Fellowship is a transformational leadership development experience for professionals in philanthropy looking to build knowledge, skills, and partnership opportunities to create more equitable neighborhoods and communities.
Fellows have a broad range of philanthropic experience, diverse backgrounds and hail from across the United States and Canada. No matter the funder, one commonality is a passion for solving community problems related to community, equity, and sustainability. This year-long fellowship will offer coaching, tools, knowledge, best practices and opportunities to build peer relationships with other grantmakers that can enhance grantmaking decisions and community engagement practices in ways that are responsive to the needs and assets of historically marginalized communities, most specifically low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
DETAILS & DATES
PLACES applications and additional items must be submitted no later than 8pm EST on February 1, 2022.
Once selected, the PLACES cohort will meet quarterly during the year-long fellowship. All participants will receive FREE registration to the Network’s March 2022 conference in San Diego, California. Conference participation is optional but highly recommended as a way to learn more about TFN and meet PLACES alumni.
The kick-off meeting will take place virtually on April 20, 2022. Participants will meet in-person three more times during the fellowship. Furthermore, there will be periodic learning calls and individual coaching along with access to leading experts from the field who will serve as resource professionals to facilitate learning and provide enhanced networking opportunities and leadership development. It is expected that participants will participate in all meeting and site visits. A minimum of three are required to graduate the program.
Final meeting dates are TBD.
PLACES OBJECTIVES
As a result of participating in PLACES activities, fellows will gain:
An in depth understanding of how race/ethnicity/class impact decisions about growth and development in local communities;
Exposure to how a fellow’s own race/ethnicity/class can affect their role in philanthropy and grantmaking;
Tools, resources and coaching sessions to help them intentionally infuse equity, diversity and inclusion into their grantmaking and philanthropic practices;
Exposure to best practices of grantmakers working to impact low income communities and communities of color;
Leadership development and skill-building opportunities;
Opportunities to develop relationships with peers who share a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and an opportunity to connect with TFN members, working groups and the PLACES alumni network; and
Opportunities to increase capacity and advance local, regional, or national issues you are currently working to address.
EXPECTATIONS OF PARTICIPATING FELLOWS
Expectations of Fellows and Foundations Include:
TFN expects that fellows will be open to expanding their understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion, and using this expanded knowledge to influence how they approach philanthropy and grantmaking;
TFN expects that, at the time of the first site visit, the fellow will have at least 12 months of philanthropic grantmaking experience;
TFN expects that the fellow will attend all PLACES site visits and highly consider the TFN Conference that occurs following the fellowship;
TFN expects that the direct supervisor is committed to supporting the fellow’s professional development in equity, diversity and inclusion. This support should include periodic discussions with the fellow regarding how PLACES is impacting their philanthropic practice and how this could affect the organization. Upon acceptance into the program, each selected fellow will be asked to submit a letter of support;
TFN expects the fellow’s foundation to continue its membership with TFN for at least one additional year following the end of the fellowship;
TFN expects that once the fellowship ends, the fellow continues to stay engaged with PLACES or the larger TFN community through engagement opportunities such as working groups, learning calls, or PLACES alumni activities.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
If selected to participate in the Fellowship, the participant must pay a fee of $750 for TFN members or $1,250 for Non-Members. The Network expects that the fellow’s employer will cover time for participation in the program, and any travel/lodging expenses incurred during the fellowship. Most meals are covered during the site visits, but meal purchases by participants can be expected at least once per visit. The average travel costs for fellows to participate is approximately $5,000, which should cover all travel and lodging for the year.
In an effort to ease some of the burden of costs incurred by the participants' foundation, TFN (budget permitting) will make available up to two travel scholarships per site visit. This is done on a first come, first serve basis. Participating Fellows should notify Dion Cartwright (dion@fundersnetwork.org) as soon as possible to request support.