Become a Fellow

Are you an experienced professional seeking a pathway
to your second act in the social sector?

Do you want to use your skills and talent
to make a difference for others?  

APPLY HERE for Fellowship opportunities near you.

How Encore Fellowships Work

Experienced professionals are matched with social sector organizations needing their expertise.

 

  • Make significant contributions using your skills, experience and knowledge.
  • Earn a stipend (typically $15,000 to $25,000) for 1,000 hours of work.
  • Enjoy a flexible work schedule (from half-time for a year to full-time for 6 months).
  • Learn firsthand about non-profits, foundations and other social sector enterprises.
  • Establish contacts and personal networks in a new sector.
  • Join a peer cohort of Encore Fellows for educational sessions and networking.

How Encore Fellowships Work

Experienced, skilled professionals are matched with social sector organizations.

  • Make significant contributions using your skills, experience and knowledge.
  • Earn a stipend (typically $15,000 to $25,000) for 1,000 hours of work.
  • Enjoy a flexible work schedule (from half-time for a year to full-time for 6 months).
  • Learn firsthand about non-profits, foundations and other social sector enterprises.
  • Establish contacts and personal networks in a new sector.
  • Join a peer cohort of Encore Fellows for educational sessions and networking.

“Encore is a great stepping stone to a new, positive way to continue to contribute to society. It has been critical to my transition from full-time work.”

 — Mary Washkoske, Sustainable Travel International

“The Encore Fellowship has opened my eyes and heart to finding ways to support organizations I never thought possible.”

 — Ken Kelley, Adelante Mujeres

“I feel like the fellowship was made expressly for me: It was my gateway into a new life. I feel like I found what I was meant to do in my life: using data to inform and improve medical practice.”

 — Dr. Elisa Ross, Neighborhood Family Practice

“I wanted an “Act Two” that was personally satisfying .... I wanted to feel I was doing something worthwhile. I am working with an organization whereI feel wanted and appreciated because of my background...and not sidelined because of my age.”

 — Bob Crum, First Five

“The fellowship really helped me recognize the value of the skills I had developed in my corporate life. The nonprofit gave me the chance to take the skill set that I have and recreate myself.”

 — Steve Rubin, Special Olympics

How Fellows Benefit

  • Exploration: Explore how you can transfer your professional experience into the social sector
  • Experience: Gain hands-on experience, and participate in educational sessions and networking opportunities
  • Social impact: Make a difference through a high-impact assignment
  • Peer support:  Meet a cohort of professionals, learn about the social sector, and share experiences
  • Transition: Initiate a new professional identity and career path from the private to public/nonprofit sector.

95% of Encore Fellows give overall positive satisfaction ratings (2009 -present evaluation surveys).

More than 65% of Encore Fellows continue to work or consult in the social sector while 9% report joining a board and nearly 25% volunteer in the social sector after their Fellowship ends (2018 Alumni Survey).

How Fellows Benefit

  • Exploration: Explore how you can transfer your professional experience into the social sector
  • Experience: Gain hands-on experience, and participate in educational sessions and networking opportunities
  • Social impact: Make a difference through a high-impact assignment
  • Peer support: Meet a cohort of professionals, learn about the social sector, and share experiences
  • Transition: Initiate a new professional identity and career path from the private to public/nonprofit sector.

95% of Encore Fellows give positive overall satisfaction ratings (2009-present evaluation surveys).

More than 65% of Encore Fellows continue to work or consult in the social sector, 9% report joining a board and nearly 25% volunteer after their Fellowship ends (2018 Alumni Survey).

Featured Encore Fellows

TRACEY GUSTAFSON

From Intel engineer to creator of STEM programming and partnership outreach for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts

JAMES OTIENO

From VP for Executive Compensation, HP, to Encore Fellow, Silicon Valley Education Foundation to co-founder of solar technology startup serving Kenya and other areas of southern Africa

Encore Fellows and their host, Friends of the Children, Portland, OR, discuss their experiences

READ OTHER EXPERIENCES

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

The programs of The Encore Fellowships Network® maintain a policy and practice of non-discrimination of program participants based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age. We apply this policy to all the activities of the core programs of the EFN and to the selection of organizations that sponsor or host Encore Fellows.

DATA PRIVACY NOTICE

When you submit data as part of the Encore Fellowships application and evaluation processes, you agree to the terms outlined in our data privacy statement. Please remember that while we are very committed to respecting applicant privacy, the nature of the application and matching process requires that we share information you provide us with other organizations. The data privacy statement explains what you can expect with regard to our treatment of your information.

The Encore Fellowships Network is a signature program of Encore.org.

Contact The Encore Fellowships Network®

Encore Fellows and Encore Fellowships are trademarks of Encore.org.

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