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Emerging Leader Fellowship

The Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellowship cultivates the next generation of leaders advancing systems change to improve the lives of youth.

The Emerging Leader Fellowship is a two-year, hands-on learning opportunity for early career professionals in Greater Philadelphia. Fellows work collaboratively with a host organization to execute discrete projects that simultaneously advance the mission of the organization and enhance Fellows’ skills. These projects focus on improving policies and practices in youth justice, child welfare, education, and health.

Emerging Leader Fellows come from diverse educational backgrounds, such as law, social work, public administration, and education. All possess a deep commitment to social justice; are proactive, organized problem-solvers; and are poised to become leaders in their fields. They advance change by advocating for policy and practice improvements, conducting applied research, advancing new approaches to service delivery, employing legal advocacy strategies, and building coalitions and partnerships.

How does the application process work?

Organizations interested in hosting an Emerging Leader Fellow must submit an application form and a two-page summary describing the project they are interested in pursuing. A select number of applicant organizations will be advanced to the full proposal and candidate recruitment phases. Stoneleigh will interview the top two finalists from candidate recruitment and engage in a collaborative process with each host organization to select final candidates for its Board of Directors’ approval.

  • Applications for organizations: The application period for organizations interested in hosting a 2025-2027 Emerging Leader Fellow is now closed.
  • Applications for individual candidates: The application period for candidates for the 2025-2027 Emerging Leader Fellowship will open in Spring 2025.
  • Have questions? More information about the process and application timeline can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Why should you apply to become a Fellow?

Learn by doing. These are substantive projects that give you an opportunity to shape strategy, build leadership skills, and add value to the field.

A strong support system. You will have a dedicated supervisor at your host organization to provide guidance on project implementation as well as a Stoneleigh program officer to help you make connections and support your project’s impact.

A focus on your career development. We work with you to develop a professional development plan for the life of your Fellowship and beyond. We also provide you with a substantial professional development stipend to attend conferences and take advantage of other skill-building activities.

A lifelong network. You will be supported by your cohort of Emerging Leaders, who will participate with you in Foundation-led learning opportunities and programming. You will also have opportunities to connect with our more seasoned Stoneleigh Fellows and become a member of our network of Fellows and alumni.

Why should you apply to become a host organization?

Advance your work with top talent. The Fellowship makes it possible to bring on highly qualified individuals to execute mission-critical projects. Past Fellows have enabled host organizations to deepen their body of work in an existing area; explore a timely, emerging issue in greater depth; or test a new programmatic approach. The Fellowship’s structure provides Fellows with the protected time to fully pursue discrete projects that have the potential to raise your organization’s profile and impact the field more broadly.

Help build the next generation of leaders. Supervisors play a key role in both project supervision and in mentoring. You’ll have a chance to help early-career professionals make the connections and access the opportunities that will launch their career.

Support from Stoneleigh. We provide supervisors with training and resources as well as a dedicated program officer who can offer guidance and support.

Determine your eligibility

Interested? Learn More.

1

View the Emerging Leaders.

2

Determine your eligibility.

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View Frequently Asked Questions.

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Who We Are

The Stoneleigh Foundation was founded in 2006 by John and Chara Haas to improve the life outcomes of our community's youth. We meet our mission by awarding Fellowships to exceptional leaders who advance change in the systems that serve these young people.

Our Priorities

We seek to improve the life outcomes of our community’s youth by advancing change in the systems that serve them. Because we believe that youth are best served when systems work together to holistically address their needs, Stoneleigh prioritizes work designed to strengthen coordination between or among these systems.

Our Projects

We award two types of projects that catalyze change within, alongside, and outside of youth-serving systems. Our Fellowship Projects enhance how systems work together, improve practice, shift narratives, and generate new knowledge through action-oriented research. Our Youth Partnership Projects support youth-centric organizations that build the leadership and advocacy skills of young people.

Advancing The Field

We are pragmatic and have a bias toward action. We advance the field by hosting public events, publishing policy-relevant research and reports, and elevating the work of our Fellows and grantees in the media.

Apply

We award two types of Fellowships to exceptional individuals who work within and alongside youth-serving systems to catalyze change. Our Fellows undertake projects that enhance how systems work together, improve practice, and generate new knowledge through action-oriented research.