Now accepting Letters of Interest from organizations applying to host a 2027-2029 Emerging Leader Fellow. Learn more.
Emerging Leader Fellowship
The Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellowship cultivates the next generation of leaders working to help youth thrive.
This two-year, hands-on leadership opportunity for early-career professionals is designed to support the growth and development of the Fellow, advance the mission of the host organization, and improve outcomes for young people.
Emerging Leader Fellows come from diverse professional backgrounds, such as law, social work, public administration, education, and community organizing. 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, 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 Letter of Interest. A select number of applicant organizations will be advanced to the full proposal and candidate selection phases. Final candidates and proposals will be presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for approval.
- Applications for organizations: The application period for organizations interested in hosting a 2027-2029 Emerging Leader Fellow will open on October 5, 2026 and close on November 24, 2026.
- Have questions? More information about the process and application timeline can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions.
What does an Emerging Leader Fellow stand to gain?
Learn by doing. The Fellowship gives 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 Fellowship implementation as well as a Stoneleigh program officer to help you make connections and support your 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.
What does a host organization stand to gain?
Advance your work with top talent. The Fellowship makes it possible to invest in highly qualified individuals to execute mission-critical projects and strategies. The Fellowship’s structure provides Fellows with the protected time to pursue discrete projects and/or advance existing strategies 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 advance their career.
Support from Stoneleigh. We provide supervisors with training and professional development funding as well as a dedicated program officer who can offer guidance and support.