Fully Funded Gratitude Network Fellowship - Leadership for Social Entrepreneurs

Gratitude Network

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Vacancy

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Description

The Gratitude Network Fellowship is a highly regarded, 12-month virtual leadership development program designed specifically for social entrepreneurs committed to improving the lives of children and youth. The Fellowship is intended to identify and support high-potential leaders from both non-profit and for-profit social enterprises that demonstrate strong mission alignment, ethical leadership, and the capacity to scale meaningful social impact. Through a carefully structured and globally delivered program, the Gratitude Network equips Fellows with strategic insights, leadership tools, and operational guidance to strengthen their organizations and broaden their reach. Rather than offering direct financial funding, the Fellowship functions as a fully funded service grant, providing substantial non-monetary support that is often inaccessible to early- and growth-stage social enterprises. Selected Fellows benefit from intensive one-on-one executive coaching, tailored mentorship from experienced global leaders, and participation in a supportive peer network of mission-driven entrepreneurs from around the world. This immersive experience focuses on strengthening leadership capacity, refining organizational strategy, and accelerating sustainable growth. By empowering social entrepreneurs to lead more effectively, the Gratitude Network Fellowship ultimately aims to create long-term, scalable change that positively impacts underserved children and youth across diverse global contexts. 

Responsibilities

Fellow Responsibilities

To ensure meaningful outcomes for both the individual Fellow and their organization, selected participants are expected to engage fully and consistently throughout the 12-month fellowship period. The program is highly interactive and impact-driven, and the following commitments are essential:

• Active Program Participation: Fellows are required to attend monthly one-to-one executive coaching sessions, which focus on leadership growth, strategic clarity, and organizational challenges. Participation in monthly Peer Mastermind group calls is also expected, fostering collaborative learning, accountability, and peer support among cohort members.
• Time and Engagement Commitment: Fellows should plan to dedicate approximately 3-5 hours per month to fellowship activities. This time includes coaching sessions, group calls, virtual workshops or webinars, and completion of practical assignments designed to support organizational development.
• Strategy Implementation and Application: Fellows are expected to actively apply the leadership tools, frameworks, and strategies gained through the program within their organizations. This includes implementing growth plans, strengthening internal systems, and refining approaches to scaling impact for children and youth.
• Networking and Peer Collaboration: Meaningful engagement with the Gratitude Network’s global expert community and fellow cohort members is a core expectation. Fellows should actively exchange insights, resources, and best practices, contributing to a supportive and knowledge-rich ecosystem.
• Progress Reporting and Feedback: Fellows are responsible for providing regular updates on organizational progress, including key milestones, challenges, and measurable impact indicators. Constructive feedback on the fellowship experience is also expected, supporting continuous improvement of the program during and after the fellowship year. 

Fellowship Value and Benefits

The Gratitude Network Fellowship provides a highly structured and comprehensive support package, delivering significant value through professional services that are often inaccessible to early- and growth-stage social enterprises. The Fellowship is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, accelerate organizational growth, and expand sustainable impact for children and youth.

• One-to-One Leadership Coaching: Fellows receive monthly 1:1 coaching sessions with a dedicated and experienced executive coach. These sessions focus on personal leadership development, strategic decision-making, organizational challenges, and long-term vision setting.
• Peer Mastermind Groups: Fellows participate in monthly Peer Mastermind sessions alongside other cohort members. These facilitated group discussions provide a trusted space to share challenges, exchange insights, and collaboratively develop solutions while building lasting professional relationships.
• Access to a Global Expert Network: Fellows gain direct access to a network of 140+ volunteer subject-matter experts with diverse expertise in areas such as marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, technology, and financial management. This on-demand expertise supports practical problem-solving and informed organizational growth.
• Structured Scaling-Up Curriculum: The Fellowship includes a purpose-built curriculum focused on preparing organizations for sustainable scale. Fellows learn how to strengthen internal systems, refine impact models, and operationalize growth strategies in alignment with their mission.
• Enhanced Visibility and Recognition: Participating organizations benefit from increased visibility through the Gratitude Network’s communication and branding channels. This exposure helps elevate organizational credibility, attract partners, and expand reach within the global social impact ecosystem. 

Check also: 

Fully Funded RAISE Lab PhD Fellowships 2026 at DePaul University 

Qualification

Eligibility Criteria

The Gratitude Network Fellowship is highly selective and is designed for experienced social entrepreneurs leading organizations with demonstrated impact and the potential to scale. Applicants must meet both organizational and individual eligibility requirements to be considered. 

Organizational Requirements 

1. Legal Status: The organization must be a legally registered non-profit, NGO, or community-based organization, or a for-profit social enterprise with a clear and measurable social mission.
2. Mission Focus on Children and Youth: The organization’s primary purpose must be to serve children and young people, with focus areas such as education, health, child protection, youth empowerment, or community development.
3. Operational Maturity: The organization must have been actively operating for a minimum of one year, with evidence of program delivery and organizational stability.
4. Staffing Capacity: A minimum of two full-time staff members, including the applicant, is required to ensure adequate capacity for implementation and growth.
5. Readiness to Scale: The organizational model must be proven and ready for expansion, with clear potential to increase reach, impact, or geographic coverage. 

Applicant (Fellow) Requirements 

• Leadership Role and Authority: Applicants must be the Founder, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, or Executive Director, holding full decision-making authority within the organization.
• Program Commitment: Applicants must demonstrate the ability and willingness to commit fully to the 12-month fellowship, including coaching sessions, peer engagements, and implementation activities.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required, as all coaching sessions, group meetings, and program materials are delivered in English. 

Application Procedure

The Gratitude Network Fellowship selection process is intentionally rigorous and conducted in multiple phases to identify high-potential social entrepreneurs and organizations with strong readiness for scale. Applicants are advised to prepare carefully and allocate sufficient time for each stage of the process.

1. Online Application - Part 1 (Initial Screening): Applicants must complete an online application form outlining their organization’s mission, target population, current programs, and measurable impact. This stage also assesses the applicant’s leadership experience, vision, and personal development goals.
2. Extended Application - Part 2 (In-Depth Review): Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a more detailed application, providing comprehensive information on organizational structure, financial sustainability, governance, and growth strategy. This stage evaluates operational readiness and scalability potential.
3. Finalist Interview: Top candidates will participate in a video interview with Gratitude Network staff members or Fellowship alumni. The interview focuses on leadership mindset, openness to coaching, organizational challenges, and long-term impact goals.
4. Final Selection: Fellows are selected based on a combination of leadership growth potential, organizational maturity, mission alignment, and the ability to scale impact for children and youth.
5. Program Delivery Note: The Fellowship is fully virtual, requiring no travel. All coaching sessions, peer meetings, and learning activities are conducted online, allowing participation from anywhere in the world. 

For more information about the program, please visit here.