ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program

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New Users / Returning Users CLICK HERE to setup an account or return to your application. Creating an account enables you to return to your application as often as you would like until the deadline. For a pdf of the application instructions and essay questions, please CLICK HERE.  Feel free to write your essays in a word document and then paste them into the online application form, when you are ready to submit.  Each essay box has room for 300 words.
Applications are DUE by 11:59 PM Monday June 1, 2015.
 
OVERVIEW
About ABFE

ABFE was established in 1971, by forward-thinking, Black foundation executives to promote effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities. As the first official affinity group of the Council on Foundations, ABFE is the champion of diverse leadership in philanthropy. Progress is defined by a substantial increase in the number of Blacks as leaders and emerging leaders within the philanthropic field, as well as, new and more effective dollars targeted to priority issues in Black communities. Today, ABFE counts among its members some of the most influential staff, trustees, and donors of grantmaking organizations who are intimately involved in shaping the focus, decision-making, and response of foundations toward Black communities. For more information please visit www.abfe.org or contact ABFE at 646.230.0306.

Connecting Leaders Fellowship

The ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship is a year-long experience designed to sharpen the skills and strengthen the leadership capacity of foundation staff, donors, and trustees who are committed to assisting Black communities through philanthropy.  Fellows have the opportunity to learn from seasoned grantmakers and peers on a regular basis, understand how to be more effective agents for change within their institutions, and participate in a network that focuses on innovative solutions to community challenges.  Fellows attend a week-long Leadership Summit and are assigned an executive coach.  In addition, each fellow is required to complete a community-based learning project during the fellowship year.  This can be volunteer work or a research project on a topic of interest.  Please note that fellows will be based at their home institutions and in their communities during the fellowship year

We will be hosting an information and q&a webinar for anyone interested in applying to the Fellowship on:

Thursday May 7th at 2 pm ET.

You may register for the webinar using this link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2304542651684054529

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

The Fellowship is open to anyone that fits the following profile:

  • 2+ years of demonstrated experience as a grantmaker, trustee, or donor in organized philanthropy
  • A deep-rooted commitment to assisting Black communities through philanthropy
  • Ability to attend the ABFE Leadership Summit that will be held October 26-30, 2015Participation in the Summit is MANDATORY, and at no additional cost to Fellows.
  • An active ABFE Membership is not a pre-requisite to apply to the Fellowship, however, all Connecting Leaders Fellows must be current members of ABFE at the time the Fellowship starts. For information about membership, visit us online at www.abfe.org.
Time Commitment
 
Participants in the Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program can expect the following time commitment:
  • The Leadership Summit is a week-long commitment with full days lasting through dinner.  Breaks are scheduled to allow for email check-ins, however, participants should anticipate being busy for the entire week.
  • There will be a one hour, monthly conference call/webinar for the cohort (see anticipated dates below)
  • Particpants in the Fellowship receive 10 hours of Executive Coaching, usually by phone/skype. These appointments are made directly between the Fellow and the Coach at their convenience.
  • Participants in the Fellowship should expect to spend an additional 3 or 4 hours a month preparing for coaching sessions or working on their Community Based Learning Project.
  • Fellows are encouraged to attend the ABFE Annual Conference. Please note, the Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program cannot provide for conference expenses, hotel nor airfare.
Tentative Conference Call Dates
 
In order to help you plan, we have set aside the following tenative dates for Fellowship calls.
All calls will be held at 4 pm ET.
  • Wednesday, September 9th  – Welcome to CLFP; Intro to 360 Process & Executive Coaching
  • Wednesday, October 14th - Introduction to the Summit Host City
  • Wednesday, November 18th
  • Wednesday, December 9th
  • Wednesday, January 13th
  • Wednesday, February 10th
  • Wednesday, March 9th
  • Wednesday, April 13th
  • Wednesday, May 11th
  • Wednesday, June 8th
  • Wednesday, July 13th
Value & Cost
 
The Connecting Leaders Fellowship is an outstanding professional development opportunity.  The one-on-one Executive Coaching and rigorous assessments, including a 360-degree evaluation are valued at over $3,000. The week-long Leadership Summit includes: airfare, hotel, meals and all learning experiences and can be valued at over $2,000.  Facilitated monthly discussions with your cohort members and ABFE leaders are priceless.
 
The cost of the Fellowship to Fellows is $750. Requests for limited financial aid will be considered.
 
Application Procedures

The application consists of four essay questions (300 words each), one letter of recommendation to be uploaded, and an uploaded copy of your resume.  You can download a sample application and find additional information about the letter of recommendation on the ABFE website, www.abfe.org.
 
Applications are due by 11:59 PM Monday June 1, 2015.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by July 17, 2015.
OVERVIEW
About ABFE

ABFE was established in 1971, by forward-thinking, Black foundation executives to promote effective and responsive philanthropy in Black communities. As the first official affinity group of the Council on Foundations, ABFE is the champion of diverse leadership in philanthropy. Progress is defined by a substantial increase in the number of Blacks as leaders and emerging leaders within the philanthropic field, as well as, new and more effective dollars targeted to priority issues in Black communities. Today, ABFE counts among its members some of the most influential staff, trustees, and donors of grantmaking organizations who are intimately involved in shaping the focus, decision-making, and response of foundations toward Black communities. For more information please visit www.abfe.org or contact ABFE at 646.230.0306.

Connecting Leaders Fellowship

The ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship is a year-long experience designed to sharpen the skills and strengthen the leadership capacity of foundation staff, donors, and trustees who are committed to assisting Black communities through philanthropy.  Fellows have the opportunity to learn from seasoned grantmakers and peers on a regular basis, understand how to be more effective agents for change within their institutions, and participate in a network that focuses on innovative solutions to community challenges.  Fellows attend a week-long Leadership Summit and are assigned an executive coach.  In addition, each fellow is required to complete a community-based learning project during the fellowship year.  This can be volunteer work or a research project on a topic of interest.  Please note that fellows will be based at their home institutions and in their communities during the fellowship year

We will be hosting an information and q&a webinar for anyone interested in applying to the Fellowship on:

Thursday May 7th at 2 pm ET.

You may register for the webinar using this link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2304542651684054529

Who is Eligible to Apply? 

The Fellowship is open to anyone that fits the following profile:

  • 2+ years of demonstrated experience as a grantmaker, trustee, or donor in organized philanthropy
  • A deep-rooted commitment to assisting Black communities through philanthropy
  • Ability to attend the ABFE Leadership Summit that will be held October 26-30, 2015Participation in the Summit is MANDATORY, and at no additional cost to Fellows.
  • An active ABFE Membership is not a pre-requisite to apply to the Fellowship, however, all Connecting Leaders Fellows must be current members of ABFE at the time the Fellowship starts. For information about membership, visit us online at www.abfe.org.
Time Commitment
 
Participants in the Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program can expect the following time commitment:
  • The Leadership Summit is a week-long commitment with full days lasting through dinner.  Breaks are scheduled to allow for email check-ins, however, participants should anticipate being busy for the entire week.
  • There will be a one hour, monthly conference call/webinar for the cohort (see anticipated dates below)
  • Particpants in the Fellowship receive 10 hours of Executive Coaching, usually by phone/skype. These appointments are made directly between the Fellow and the Coach at their convenience.
  • Participants in the Fellowship should expect to spend an additional 3 or 4 hours a month preparing for coaching sessions or working on their Community Based Learning Project.
  • Fellows are encouraged to attend the ABFE Annual Conference. Please note, the Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program cannot provide for conference expenses, hotel nor airfare.
Tentative Conference Call Dates
 
In order to help you plan, we have set aside the following tenative dates for Fellowship calls.
All calls will be held at 4 pm ET.
  • Wednesday, September 9th  – Welcome to CLFP; Intro to 360 Process & Executive Coaching
  • Wednesday, October 14th - Introduction to the Summit Host City
  • Wednesday, November 18th
  • Wednesday, December 9th
  • Wednesday, January 13th
  • Wednesday, February 10th
  • Wednesday, March 9th
  • Wednesday, April 13th
  • Wednesday, May 11th
  • Wednesday, June 8th
  • Wednesday, July 13th
Value & Cost
 
The Connecting Leaders Fellowship is an outstanding professional development opportunity.  The one-on-one Executive Coaching and rigorous assessments, including a 360-degree evaluation are valued at over $3,000. The week-long Leadership Summit includes: airfare, hotel, meals and all learning experiences and can be valued at over $2,000.  Facilitated monthly discussions with your cohort members and ABFE leaders are priceless.
 
The cost of the Fellowship to Fellows is $750. Requests for limited financial aid will be considered.
 
Application Procedures

The application consists of four essay questions (300 words each), one letter of recommendation to be uploaded, and an uploaded copy of your resume.  You can download a sample application and find additional information about the letter of recommendation on the ABFE website, www.abfe.org.
 
Applications are due by 11:59 PM Monday June 1, 2015.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by July 17, 2015.
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