Applications for the Nexus Fellowship are now being accepted!

The priority application deadline has passed, but you can still apply to join the waitlist. In the event that space becomes available for the upcoming cohort, waitlisted candidates will be invited to participate in the virtual interview process in the order that applications are submitted.

ABOUT THE NEXUS FELLOWSHIP

The Nexus Fellowship is designed for senior social change leaders committed to building and sustaining equitable, anti-racist workplaces to advance principles and practices that celebrate, uplift, and ensure that all youth thrive. Fellows from organizations dedicated to education and adjacent fields, serving youth from birth through 12th grade (e.g., schools, education nonprofits, pediatric health, early childhood, food justice, housing, child welfare, juvenile justice, and more), are selected from across the country, totaling up to four fellows per organization. The cohort experience equips these leaders with the highest leverage tools to transform communities, organizations, and systems to advance equity, justice, and liberation.

THROUGH THE NEXUS FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE…

    • Connect REDI (Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) principles to everyday life, both in and out of the workplace.

    • Apply an equity lens to influence structural transformation.

    • Strengthen adaptive and technical skills to support transformation in their leadership.

    • Join a national coalition and build community with an elite cadre of equity-driven leaders and organizations.

    • Cultivate the leadership skills necessary to catalyze and sustain lasting organizational change through monthly individual coaching sessions.

    • Join a network of organizations that are committed to the ongoing work of building and sustaining equity in practice.

    • Retain expertly trained in-house leaders equipped with the mindsets, skills, and best practices to support REDI efforts.

    • Align external equity efforts with internal workplace policies and practices that promote inclusivity and belonging.

Selection Calendar

February 15, 2024: Application goes live
April 1, 2024: Applications due
April 12, 2024: Notification of advancement to interview
April 15–16, 2024: Zoom interviews with the Nexus team
May 15, 2024: Decision notifications
June 15, 2024: Deadline to confirm participation

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Apply Now

Applications are being accepted for the waitlist. Start yours now.

The Program

The combination of two in-person retreat weeks and six virtual two-day sessions offers a flexible and balanced format featuring:

  • Examination of the significance of place and delving into the historical and transformative crossroads of racial equity within intentionally selected U.S. cities.

  • Opportunities to connect and network with city-specific equity leaders to build and strengthen impact in the collective work of equity and liberation.

  • Opportunity for strong in-person connection and the spirit of community essential to collective liberation through a cohort experience.

  • Ability to retreat from daily life to recharge, recommit, and focus deeply on the work of racial equity.

The Commitment

To successfully equip organizational leaders to direct meaningful change for equity, participants must have the enthusiasm and support of an organization’s senior leadership. We consider interest from all prospective fellows, but we require organizational sponsorship, both financially and professionally, for acceptance into the program.

Fellows must attend all required training sessions and be available for monthly coaching sessions with The Equity Lab team. Fellows should also have occasional access to the host organization’s CEO/Executive Director to engage them in progress. With the support of the host organization, fellows must arrange travel and accommodations for each residency.

2024-2025 Planning Calendar

    • October 21–25, 2024

    • Denver, Colorado

    • November 14–15, 2024

    • December 12–13, 2024

    • January 16–17, 2024

    • February 13–14, 2025

    • March 13–14, 2025

    • April 24–25, 2025

    • May 19–23, 2025

    • Indianapolis, Indiana

Program Costs

Our new tiered pricing structure aims to make the Fellowship accessible to as many leaders as possible and aligns with best practices among equity-focused organizations. We ask that organizations commit to the per-person cost tier that aligns best with their organizational budget and sector. (Budget categories are based on Rockwood Leadership Institute’s tiered pricing model.) We ask that organizations commit to the per-person cost tier that aligns best with their organizational budget and sector. Costs do not include travel and accommodations for in-person events.

  • For organizations with annual budgets over $10 million OR for foundations with assets over $10 million

    Cost: $20,000

  • For organizations with annual budgets between $4–9.9 million OR for foundations with assets under $9.9 million

    Cost: $17,500

  • For organizations with annual budgets between $1–3.9 million OR for individuals sponsoring themselves or who are unaffiliated with an organization

    Cost: $15,000

  • For organizations with annual budgets under $999,000

    Cost: $10,000