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IMPACT

Creating positive change and professional opportunities

The social problems faced today are more complex and intersectional than ever before. Solving these issues requires changemakers who are prepared and equipped to lead the charge.

The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) seeks out individuals who are passionate about social innovation and invests in their potential to make significant impacts. Through funding, mentorship, network connections, and a structured curriculum, MAP empowers participants to make meaningful contributions to a better world.

Since its inception in 2018, over 50 individuals have become part of MAP’s vibrant community. Although the commitment of time and resources has varied across different initiatives, each program has shared the goal of enhancing leadership abilities, creating sustainable solutions for nonprofit organizations, and boosting social capital among participants.

Currently, the MAP Fellowship is the active program, continuing to advance these objectives. Previously, MAP hosted other successful programs such as MAP Project48 and MAP Summit Grants, which have since concluded. These initiatives have laid a strong foundation for the ongoing impact of the MAP Fellowship. The efficacy of these programs, including the current fellowship, has been validated through research by the Morgridge Family Foundation, as noted in Wilson, ES. (2020). “Evaluation of the MAP Fellowship Program.”

Stats & Figures

83%

Nonprofit organizations that participated in the MAP Fellowship stated they would be unable to complete their challenge in 6 months without the MAP Fellowship.

100%

Fellows ranked themselves significantly higher across leadership skills at the end of the MAP Fellowship compared to the start of the MAP Fellowship.

33%

MAP Project48 increased the number of data science graduate students considering nonprofit careers.

100%

MAP Project48 participants agreed the mentors were helpful throughout the challenge and had high levels of expertise in their field.
Meet The Community
2023 MAP Fellow
Naily Nevarez
2023 MAP Fellow
Sabrina Bainbridge
2023 MAP Fellow
Ashley Bredeson
2023 MAP Mentor
LC Johnson
2023 MAP Mentor
Chad Bernstein
2023 MAP Mentor
Catherine Stihler
In The News
A New Fellowship Launches Social Sector Trailblazers

Alison Griffin   |   01/29/2021

There has been much talk about finding “silver linings” in the events and unrest of 2020. A few weeks ago, as we started 2021, I was reminded that 2020 presented some pretty powerful opportunities for collaboration and innovative thinking. I took part in the Morgridge Family Foundation (MFF) culmination event for its ...
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The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship matches emerging social impact leaders with nonprofit executives to drive positive impact while leveling up their skill sets and deepening their professional networks. Each MAP Fellow is paired with a MAP Mentor who they collaborate with directly over six months to build a sustainable ...
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Everyday we’re bombarded with what feels like an endless, exhausting list of existential threats: global warming, racial injustice, the COVID-19 pandemic. The list goes on and on, and the thought of these problems can make clicking on a news link or turning on the TV trigger a nervous cringe ...
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If you’re looking to complete a fellowship program from the comfort of your home, look no further – these fellowships take place primarily virtually! While some programs listed require occasional attendance at a conference or event during the program, the large majority of the fellowship experience takes place remotely ...
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Whether you’re an early-career or mid-career professional, it can be difficult to quit your job or pause your academic work to pursue a full-time fellowship. However, many don’t realize that there are amazing part-time fellowship opportunities that provide many of the benefits of a full-time professional fellowship ...
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It’s still possible to make a positive social impact in the midst of the pandemic! This list highlights fellowship programs that are currently being held remotely and give fellows the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and around the world ...
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As the culmination of the 2021 MAP Fellowship approaches, we’re sharing perspectives from the cohort about their experiences and progress. In this piece, we hear from MAP Fellow Jaylen Hackett about his site visit with MAP Mentor, Dr. Angela Jackson ...
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This year, the Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) partnered with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) and three graduate data science programs from Columbia University, Parsons School of Design and the University of Missouri – Columbia to hold the first ever MAP Project48 competition, a 48-hour impact-athon ...
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Why Mentorship Matters, The Reach

Ellie Milano   |   03/02/2022

On a recent research project for a client, I found myself having conversations with emerging leaders working in the field of conservation. The research aimed to understand those leaders’ experiences and identify the critical factors that have been most helpful for them in getting and keeping jobs. My findings were pretty straightforward: people ...
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How To Take Advantage of the Incubator Model, The Reach

Allison Quintanilla Plattsmeir   |   01/26/2022

As the culmination of the 2021 MAP Fellowship approaches, we’re sharing perspectives from the cohort about their experiences and progress. In this piece, we hear from MAP Fellow Allison Quintanilla Plattsmeir about how to take advantage of the incubator model ...
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The 411 on MAP Project48, The Reach

Tony Cohn   |   11/08/2021

In 2021, the number of MAP Fellowship applicants doubled from the year before. While it meant struggling with a difficult selection process (read: stress eating popcorn), a silver lining was acknowledging the overwhelming interest from emerging leaders to put their skill sets to work and solve the big problems nonprofits are facing ...
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So, You Want To Be A MAP Fellow?, The Reach

Tony Cohn   |   06/07/2021

Hi there. My name is Tony. Along with being Director of Strategy for the Morgridge Family Foundation, I’m the Founder of the Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship. Your interest in the program—and advancing the impact of nonprofit organizations—is exciting to me and the entire team ...
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For 13 years, I was a teacher in the Bronx and DC. Teaching always surprises you, multiple times a day and often multiple times per hour ...
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