x

PROGRAM

MAP Fellowship

The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship is a six-month program for early-to-mid-career changemakers who are passionate about social impact and looking to enhance their professional skills, widen their network, and collaborate with influential nonprofit executives, known as MAP Mentors. Each mentor presents a real-world challenge currently facing their nonprofit that a matched MAP Fellow commits to solving.

While driving impact for nonprofits, MAP Fellows gain elite mentorship, travel, speaking and networking opportunities, and access to a tight-knit group of supportive peers. Forbes has called the MAP Fellowship “a powerful opportunity for collaboration and innovative thinking.”

Applications for the 2024 MAP Fellowship are now closed!

Explore the Challenges
One of the standout features of this program is the project-based experience. This hands-on approach not only enriches the MAP Fellow's understanding of practical challenges in the nonprofit world but also equips them with actionable insights and solutions. It’s a chance to apply theory, collaborate with seasoned professionals, and see the tangible results of one's efforts. Fellows remain in their current, full-time jobs while dedicating approximately 15 hours a month, or 90 hours total, to the program.
American Rivers
Ecological Science
Washington, D.C.
Challenge

Develop a scoring methodology for rating river health that serves as a simple, communicable summary of the health of our rivers and waters by state.

Gimme More

American Rivers' MAP Challenge is a great fit for those with an ecological science background and passion for rivers. The fellow will review water and river data sets and related aggregation methodologies, proposing indicators of river health and a scoring method for rating river health. The outline will inform fundraising proposals. Preferably, the fellow will hold an undergraduate degree in ecological science.

Mentor
Tom Kiernan

Tom Kiernan is president and CEO of American Rivers, leading the 78 staff members who make American Rivers the nation’s most trusted and influential river conservation organization. Tom has dedicated his career to protecting the nation’s lands and waters and diversifying the conservation movement. Before joining American Rivers, Tom led the American Wind Energy Association, growing the organization and advancing a clean energy policy agenda to fight climate change. He also served as president of the National Parks Conservation Association, where he and his team established the Community Partners Program—one of the first diversity programs at any major conservation organization. He co-founded the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center on the Arkansas River in Colorado and worked at North Carolina’s Nantahala Outdoor Center guiding trips. Today, Tom is an avid rower who spends most mornings on the Potomac River.

Fellow
Sumana Goli

Sumana Goli is a public health professional building a career in creating sustainable solutions for global public health issues, particularly within One Health. Sumana currently works as a research manager for a nonprofit public health organization. She also works as a content creator for The One Health Guide, a social media platform dedicated to accessible information about health topics. Sumana has over five years of research experience in cardiology, microbiology, and one health as well as leadership experience through positions held throughout the university and volunteering experience in respite care and pediatric care. Sumana majored in Microbiology with a concentration in Microbial Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology at N.C. State University. She obtained a M.S. degree in Global Health at Duke University. Sumana is also a Duke-certified Integrative Health and Well-being coach.

Arizona State University
Workforce Development
Tempe, Arizona
Challenge

Design a pilot program that utilizes federal work-study to advance the social objectives of a local nonprofit, thereby creating a mutually beneficial student employment experience.

Gimme More

Arizona State University's MAP Challenge is an excellent fit for those experienced in project management and community development, and familiar with higher education. The fellow will design a pilot program using the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program to support a local nonprofit's social objectives. They will study the FWS program, explore similar models, conduct a needs assessment and develop a strategy that positively affects students and the community.

Mentor
Christina Ngo

Christina Ngo serves as Arizona State University’s executive director of social embeddedness within the Office of University Affairs. Christina’s work focuses on advancing the mission of the New American University by evaluating university-wide social embeddedness efforts and initiatives. She facilitates and amplifies collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships and innovations across the university and throughout their communities.

Fellow
Matt Parodi

Matt Parodi is the Associate Director of Strategy and Product at Scholarship America, where he designs and operationalizes pilots that shift more private scholarship aid to students with high financial need. Matt’s long-term career goal is to create more predictable and effective paths to the middle class for people experiencing poverty in the U.S. His aspirations are rooted in his lived experience as a first-generation college student, child of Peruvian immigrants, and beneficiary of public assistance programs growing up. Matt is also an alumnus of LEDA, a college access program for low-income high school students. Previously, Matt was an impact investor at Melinda French Gates’s Pivotal Ventures and Two Sigma Impact. He began his career at McKinsey & Company, where he also served as a think tank research fellow for McKinsey’s Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Matt studied politics, statistics, machine learning, and the Chinese language at Princeton University.

Aspen Digital
Content Strategy
Washington, D.C.
Challenge

Create and pilot a strategy for extending the impact and reach of Aspen Digital's projects to expand their long tail life.

Gimme More

Aspen Digital's MAP Challenge is a great opportunity for those with strong communication skills and expertise in content promotion and marketing. By reviewing the organization’s portfolio, conducting interviews and testing strategies through small-scale experiments, the fellow will document successes and challenges. The deliverable will be a playbook with recommendations for leveraging existing content. Familiarity with the tech policy landscape is helpful.

Mentor
Carner Derron

Carner Derron is the associate director of marketing & communications at Aspen Digital, a program of the Aspen Institute. Carner elevates Aspen Digital’s reputational and programmatic impact where technology and information challenges meet democracy and diverse communities. Both a strategist and implementer, she brings to life the story of her team’s mission to connect and spark policy action among those crucial to making our interconnected world accessible, safe, and inclusive—both online and off. Bringing expertise in brand development, thought leadership, and media relations, Carner joined this Aspen Institute policy program in 2020 and has a background in social impact marketing and communications. Most recently, she supported major nonprofits and corporations at the global firm Weber Shandwick. Prior to that, she worked at the DC-based agency Little Unicorns.

Fellow
Sidney Bynum

Sidney Bynum’s purpose is empowering underserved communities through building resilience and economic self-sufficiency. She has dedicated herself to having a net positive impact on the world and creating a future where all communities can thrive. Sidney leads several initiatives in her Bronx, NY, neighborhood centering on food access, health, education, and economic empowerment. These include operating a community fridge that provides 24-hour access to free fresh produce and pantry items for over 40,000 community members, urban farming through a worker cooperative, and leading educational workshops. Professionally, Sidney has diverse experience in marketing roles across tech startups, nonprofits, and social impact companies. Ultimately, she aims to create meaningful, sustainable change, transforming systems so the social impact problems she fights against no longer exist. Until then, she is committed to building the future she wishes to see.

Brooklyn Community Foundation
Philanthropic Grantmaking
Brooklyn, New York
Challenge

Identify barriers and solutions for local grassroots organizations to apply for Brooklyn Community Foundation’s grant funding as well as other institutional funders.

Gimme More

The MAP Challenge at Brooklyn Community Foundation involves developing a real-time assessment and evaluation process to measure the Foundation's success in increasing the number of grassroots nonprofits submitting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for funding during the next Request for Proposals (RFP) period, set to launch in January 2024. The fellow will engage in conversations with grassroots organizations to understand the obstacles they face in applying for funding, as well as with the Foundation's staff to comprehend their outreach efforts and work to mitigate these barriers. They will consult with others in the field to discover new practices that increase access to institutional funding sources. The deliverable for this challenge will be an evaluation of the 2024 RFP process and a set of recommendations for enhancing the process for the following year.

Mentor
Liane Stegmaier

Liane Stegmaier joined Brooklyn Community Foundation in 2011 and has spent over a decade building awareness, engagement and partnership for its work throughout the borough. As chief of staff, she leads the Foundation’s communications team, while serving as a key strategic advisor to the Foundation’s president and CEO and overseeing the execution of the strategic plan. Prior to joining Brooklyn Community Foundation, she led communications for the Lupus Research Institute and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and worked on the NYC2012 Olympic Bid. Liane graduated with honors from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Fellow
Jaquanda 'Jai' Jones

Jaquanda ‘Jai’ Jones is the project specialist for the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. She oversees the strategy and dissemination of the $3M Chicago Fund. Jai manages a portfolio of 200 grassroots organizations across 24 of Chicago’s most disinvested communities, helping strategize and uplift hyperlocal solutions as a deterrence to violence. She has almost a decade of experience working in the social impact sector. Before The Trust, Jai was at Austin Coming Together, a collective impact agency on Chicago’s westside. There, she helped grow the grassroots advocacy footprint, mobilizing community-led responses to COVID-19, public safety, and economic development. Jai is motivated by an unyielding belief that equity is a human rights issue and belongs to everyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic background, or geography. Her faith drives her work, helping to bring equitable solutions to those who need it most.

The Climate Initiative
Program Management
Kennebunkport, Maine
Challenge

Invent a career-related sustainability module, informing community college students about the emerging green trades industry and, most importantly, the evolution of sustainable methods, solutions and career pathways.

Gimme More

The Climate Initiative's MAP Challenge is an ideal fit for team players with strong communication skills and a research background. The fellow will engage community college and trade school students in building climate resources and promoting green careers. They will research the green career sector, develop a sustainability module, conduct a landscape analysis and offer a market-entry strategy for program implementation. Proficiency in Google Suite and robust research abilities are essential.

Mentor
Nyla McFadden

​​Nyla McFadden is the assistant director of programs at The Climate Initiative. Previously, Nyla served as an educator for thirteen years. She firmly believes in the importance of education grounded in critical literacy to produce informed and responsible citizens. Critical literacy comprises four essential skills: thinking critically, reading, writing with a purpose, and speaking up. All these objectives strengthen students’ abilities to actively improve themselves and the society in which they live. This is the philosophy that Nyla uses to support TCI’s education programs and instruction. Nyla received a bachelor of arts in English from Johnson C. Smith University, a master of arts in liberal studies from Wake Forest University, and a graduate teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Fellow
Molly Cashion

Molly Cashion is a sustainability educator working to transform communities and educational settings through collaborative and research-based practices. In her work as the Senior Program Manager for the Sustainability Teachers’ Academies at the College of Global Futures at Arizona State University, she has expanded the portfolio of programs and projects over the past seven years to reach over 3,000 educators across all 50 states that indirectly serve over one million students. Molly has worked across sectors and has established more than 50 partnerships with school districts, nonprofit organizations, and local governments to support projects that seek to improve local sustainability. As an emerging social scientist, Molly works to advance action research at the intersection of justice and sustainability. Positioned as a critical theorist, she implements research designs that align with a critical epistemology, centers participants’ voices, and ultimately seeks to change and transform practice.

COMMIT Foundation
Storytelling
Bozeman, Montana
Challenge

Creatively capture the unique stories of COMMIT Foundation participants to better share both the impacts of the organization and the challenges faced by transitioning service members in a manner that inspires others to be active members of the COMMunITy.

Gimme More

COMMIT Foundation's MAP Challenge is perfect for professionals with a creative flair and nonprofit storytelling experience. The fellow will collaborate on messaging, develop a storytelling approach and implement their approach at a COMMIT workshop. The deliverable will be a completed participant story using a “creative solution” or videography that communicates the impact and need for COMMIT services. Extensive knowledge in visual and digital storytelling is key.

Mentor
Bana Miller

A mission-driven servant leader with over two decades of experience in communications and brand strategy, Bana is a passionate storyteller dedicated to shedding light on the strengths and challenges of military family life. Bana is a recipient of the Iron Mike Award and the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award, in recognition of her volunteer service as a military spouse. She is a member of the 2021 scholar cohort of the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. Bana graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Martin J. Whitman School of Management with degrees in public relations and marketing management. When she’s not on a soapbox defending the Oxford comma, you can find her exploring the nearest national park. An Army spouse of over 15 years—and a dozen PCS moves—Bana lives with her husband and four children outside San Antonio, Texas.

Fellow
Samantha Millar

Samantha Millar is a senior communications coordinator at Burness, where she helps people communicate strategically to serve communities better and make the world a better place. She supports nonprofit clients through media outreach, media research, writing and creating social media content, developing messaging, media training, and more. Samantha graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political communication, which inspired her to pursue a career in developing creative strategies for important causes. She also discovered her passion for reproductive justice advocacy, which taught her about the power of community organizing. Samantha grew up in California, where she spent time exploring redwood forests, oceans, and mountains with her friends and family. For fun, Samantha enjoys moonlighting as an amateur restaurant reviewer, lifting weights, writing creatively, cultivating a unique closet, and thinking of new ways to decorate her apartment.

Craig Hospital Foundation
Alumni Engagement
Denver, Colorado
Challenge

Explore strategies, garner insights and create an actionable roadmap for a grateful patient program at the Craig Hospital Foundation that deepens a culture of giving and meaningfully connects former patients and their communities with philanthropy and engagement opportunities.

Gimme More

Craig Hospital Foundation's MAP Challenge is perfect for those with a passion for research, project management and making a difference. The challenge involves conducting a listening tour, gaining insights into the patient and donor experience, and researching similar grateful patient programs. The fellow will audit current efforts, synthesize research into a SWOT analysis and develop a comprehensive multi-year plan. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and robust project management skills are necessary.

Mentor
Becky Plunkett

Becky Plunkett leads a team at the Craig Hospital Foundation that is passionate about providing exceptional donor experiences—all to support patients, programs and research at Craig Hospital. While she currently serves as the senior director of donor engagement & operations, she has also worked in corporate giving, engagement, annual giving and events at the Craig Foundation. Before joining the Craig Foundation, Becky worked in donor relations at Mental Health America of Colorado (now Mental Health Colorado). She also served as a case manager for people experiencing mental health issues and homelessness at the Mental Health Center of Denver. Becky holds a master of nonprofit management from Regis University and a bachelor of arts in sociology and religious studies from the University of Denver. She enjoys engaging in her community, traveling and sharing meals.

Fellow
Janice Tjan

Janice Tjan is a design engineer at Norbert Health, an ambient health startup in Brooklyn. She is a recent MIT graduate with a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Art & Design. Janice utilizes this multidisciplinary perspective to tackle challenges in health systems and technology, which she believes are full of opportunities to improve patient agency and personalization. Based in New York City, she is a foodie at heart and a peripatetic who loves exploring new places with friends and family.

Detroit Justice Center
Marketing and Communications
Detroit, Michigan
Challenge

Build a communications strategy and implementation plan for the Detroit Justice Center to strengthen its community engagement and capacity for mobilization, and to increase the visibility of its new executive director.

Gimme More

The MAP Challenge at Detroit Justice Center seeks an individual skilled in social media, digital marketing and content writing. The fellow will dive into digital data analysis, examination of existing marketing materials, audience mapping and competitive landscape scans. The outcome will be targeted messages that drive action. Additionally, the fellow will recommend advertising tools and create a six-month plan, backed by solid research skills, persuasive writing and digital platform expertise.

Mentor
Nancy A. Parker

Nancy A. Parker is the executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, an abolitionist organization fighting to end mass incarceration and create just cities. Nancy earned her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. At the Detroit Justice Center, Nancy directly represented returning citizens in traffic and family court matters and provided legal support to grassroots organizations fighting for racial justice. She served as co-counsel in the federal civil rights lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department that resulted in a million dollar judgment against the city. She is part of the Stop ShotSpotter Detroit Coalition that has been successful in securing $7 million for Detroiters. Nancy’s work and life is focused on liberating Black people. Her passion is fueled every time she looks into the eyes of her two young daughters.

Fellow
Victoria Gillison

Victoria Gillison is the current Senior Coordinator for the U.S. State Policy and Advocacy team at the Center for Reproductive Rights. Before joining the Center, she previously held positions at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and the City of Philadelphia Department of Health and Human Services. Her career focus has been working at the intersection of digital communications and policy advocacy work for gender justice issues. Victoria has her M.S. in Social Policy and B.A. in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She loves all things food and can often be found trying out new recipes in her free time.

Hamot Health Foundation
Research and Evaluation
Erie, Pennsylvania
Challenge

Develop a student screening model for adult career-training programs—equipping leaders to identify student needs within the social determinants of health (SDOH) and align appropriate support services to increase completion rates.

Gimme More

The MAP Challenge for Hamot Health Foundation is ideal for individuals with strong research and evaluation skills. The fellow will conduct research to identify social determinants of health risk factors that impede academic success and job training completion. The fellow will design a screening tool and collaborate with program leaders to establish an implementation strategy. After piloting the screening with a student sample group, they will analyze the data, identify areas for improvement and train program leaders to use the screening results effectively. Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics and the ability to create research-based evaluation tools would be helpful.

Mentor
Daria Devlin

Daria Devlin is a passionate advocate for health and wealth equity in the City of Erie, where she was born and raised and now lives and works. In her current role as director of social impact for the Hamot Health Foundation, Daria works to address the social determinants of health that impact Erie residents and neighborhoods. Previously, Daria served as executive director of the Erie Center for Arts and Technology, where she oversaw a $12 million neighborhood transformation project to create a community hub for healthcare, education and job training. She has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit program development and leadership. Daria is a proud graduate of Erie’s Public Schools and holds a bachelor of arts from Colgate University and a master of education from Edinboro University. She is an active volunteer in her community, serving on the local school board, port authority and at area food banks.

Fellow
Ozioma Anyanwu

Ozioma Anyanwu, an early-career professional, graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2022 with a B.A. in Medicine, Science, and the Humanities. Embracing diverse experiences focusing on global perspectives and public health, she currently serves as a Public Health Analyst at RTI International, where she actively contributes to various public health initiatives. Ozioma’s journey spans government, nonprofit, and education sectors, each driven by a singular goal: impacting social change. Her dynamic background and blending skills in research, communication, and project management reflect a commitment to comprehensive and effective solutions. Ozioma doesn’t merely work in public health; she lives her commitment to positively impacting the community, bringing a unique blend of skills, experiences, and a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully to our ever-evolving world.

Merit America
AI Strategy
Washington, D.C.
Challenge

Create an AI-integrated strategy to enhance the admissions team's scalability and efficiency without increasing staff numbers.

Gimme More

Merit America's MAP Challenge invites those with expertise in project management, research and critical analysis to join. The challenge encompasses conducting a needs assessment, evaluating the current admissions process and pinpointing areas where artificial intelligence could add value. The fellow will be required to research suitable AI technologies, considering factors like cost, integration and data security. Throughout the project, they will oversee a timeline, track performance with established OKRs and develop a reporting mechanism to gauge the AI strategy's success. Experience with Salesforce and familiarity with AI tools and education trends would be advantageous.

Mentor
Ebony Furr

Ebony Furr is the director of admissions at Merit America, where she manages the admissions process from application to program kick-off. She assesses candidates, answers questions and supports prospective learners. Ebony comes to Merit America following a 14-year career in the U.S. Army, where she served as an enlisted medic and human resources sergeant for 10 years before commissioning as an engineer officer. She served as a drill sergeant during her enlisted time and has been deployed to Iraq and Cuba. Ebony has an MBA with a leadership concentration from the University of Houston Downtown. She is passionate about fitness, serving the community and helping others. She runs a personal training business called Ebony Furr Fitness and is an Instagram and YouTube sensation, with over 16,000 followers.

Fellow
Gabrielle Jadotte

Gabrielle Jadotte is a skilled Business Strategist in the renewable energy sector. In her role at Lumina Solar, she spearheads initiatives that streamline customer communication, enhance pricing accuracy, and optimize project management processes. Armed with a degree in International Political Economy from Colorado College, she is a certified Salesforce Administrator and NABCEP PV Associate. As a mentor with Dent Education in Baltimore, Gabrielle empowers local high schoolers through the A.I. Academy, guiding them in launching their businesses. Recognized for strategic thinking and leadership, she served as a Student Trustee on the Colorado College Board and a Summer Fellow with the Piedmont Environmental Council. Gabrielle actively seeks opportunities to contribute to impactful projects and organizations focused on environmental justice and economic equity. In her spare time, Gabrielle enjoys walking, spending time with family and friends, and listening to podcasts.

Public Knowledge
Donor Engagement
Washington, D.C.
Challenge

Develop an engagement strategy for Public Knowledge that expands our donor base and enables us to prioritize and cultivate long-term philanthropic partnerships that fuel our mission and amplify our impact.

Gimme More

Public Knowledge's MAP Challenge suits innovative thinkers skilled in research and development. The fellow will focus on expanding the donor base. The challenge entails conducting a comprehensive landscape analysis, evaluating giving trends, researching identified foundations, and crafting an action plan for engaging potential donors. Deliverables include a landscape analysis, philanthropic trends evaluation, benchmarking overview, research report and action plan.

Mentor
Meredith Whipple

Meredith Whipple is the chief of staff at Public Knowledge. She previously worked on Public Knowledge’s communications team and has an extensive background in internet policy. She previously held positions at the Center for Democracy and Technology, Hewlett-Packard, Consumers Union, the Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Federal Communications Commission. Meredith earned her master’s degree in public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin and her bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science from the Ohio State University in Columbus. In her free time, Meredith is active in the performing arts scene in DC.

Fellow
Dani Faulkner

Dani Faulkner, originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a versatile development professional with over 15 years experience. A self-proclaimed introvert, her transition from playwright to grant writer was an easy journey. Dani’s commitment to positive change extends to her volunteer work, currently serving on several local boards in Baltimore, Maryland including MomCares and HOBY Maryland. She is actively involved in the Community Centric Fundraising Movement as one of their Global Council members. With a multifaceted background, Dani is dedicated to crafting impactful narratives and strategies that empower communities and bring about meaningful social transformation. In addition to her professional commitments, Dani is a homeowner in Baltimore City, where she lives with her two-year-old twins and a cat named Homer.

Zora's House
Operations
Columbus, Ohio
Challenge

Determine how to operationalize the growth and staffing infrastructure for Zora’s House that reflects the women of color serving the mission as this non-profit expands into its next chapter of physical and philosophical change.

Gimme More

The Zora’s House MAP Challenge requires someone who is deeply passionate about operations and team management. As the organization expands into a larger space, the challenge calls for a fellow to work with senior leadership, research operational best practices and conduct interviews to create a unique multimedia operations manual that reflects the culture of Zora’s House. Experience in operations management, document creation and review, and familiarity with the organization's software and programs would be beneficial.

Mentor
Liz Gordon-Canlas

Liz Gordon-Canlas is the managing director of Zora’s House, a space for women and gender-expansive people of color to dream, connect and create. Prior to Zora’s House, Liz spent more than 10 years in higher education, at Columbus College of Art & Design, The Ohio State University, Miami University and Ohio University. Her experience advocating for more than 25,000 university staff members as the chair of the University Staff Advisory Committee at Ohio State made her passionate about shared governance and how organizations engage with policies. As a transracial adoptee, she is also deeply passionate about research related to the lived experiences of adult adoptees. Liz earned her bachelor of arts from Wright State University and masters of education from Ohio University. When not at Zora’s House envisioning a utopic future for women of color everywhere, she loves weightlifting, traveling, live music and spending time with her husband and two children.

Fellow
Katherine MacHolmes

Katherine MacHolmes (she, they) is a native North Omahan, a lifelong community organizer and human rights activist who aims to advance the multi-generational freedom struggle of collective liberation rooted in the rich tapestry of the Black radical tradition and Black feminism. In their role as the founder of the Collective Futures Design Lab, Katherine facilitates liberatory political education and skills labs and workshops and consults with organizations seeking to co-develop transformative organizational culture strategies deeply rooted in antioppression principles. Katherine comes to this work in full acknowledgment of her social identities as a biracial Black cisgender queer woman with the understanding that these identities embody the complexity of both systemically privileged and systemically oppressed power dynamics. While she takes great pride in her work, her friendships and partnerships sustain and nourish her and form the bedrock of joy in her world.

Program Highlights
MAP Fellows commit to opportunities that foster community, personal and professional growth, and leadership development. They’ll bring the lessons they learn and relationships they build back to their full-time positions, sharing the knowledge and networks they gain with their primary employer and colleagues.
Challenge
Mentors identify a challenge facing their organization that fellows commit to solving over six months. Each fellow pledges approximately 10 hours a month to solve the problem. Along the way, mentors provide hands-on guidance and knowledge.
Challenge Fund
Up to $5,000 is available for each organization to test, explore, and further innovate their challenge solution with their fellow. Proposals for the funds must be received by February 5, 2024, and will be approved pending challenge relevance.
Kick-Off Event
The kick-off event, hosted by MindSpark Learning and generously underwritten by The Rieschel Foundation, is designed to be immersive, hands-on, and fun, challenging fellows to grow leadership skills and collaborate with mentors to develop the strategies needed for their solutions to thrive. The kick-off event will take place in Miami, Florida, from January 18-21, 2024, including travel.
Coaching
Fellows receive extensive support from working with a public-speaking coach to prepare for their culmination event presentations.
Mind Melds
Fellows and mentors meet twice for virtual brainstorming sessions that mine the collective thoughts of their peers. Each fellow will host a portion of the Mind Meld to pose questions they are navigating while solving their challenge. The diverse perspectives and experiences of the cohort drive dialogue that inspires an innovative course of action.
Nonprofit Site Visit
Fellows visit their mentors for two days to allow fellows and mentors to work together on-site and to provide the fellow an opportunity to shadow and observe their mentor in action. Fellows and mentors must schedule their site visit by February 15, 2024, and complete it by May 1, 2024.
Culmination Event
The program culminates with an event where each fellow presents to an audience of public, private, and social sector leaders, providing them a platform to share their MAP experience. The culmination event will occur in Denver, Colorado, from July 16, 2024, through July 18, 2024, including travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?

We’re so glad you’re considering becoming a MAP Fellow! Preview the application questions here and submit your application through the portal here.

Why did MFF create the MAP Fellowship?

MFF has long believed in the power of fresh perspectives to innovate stagnant systems. In 2020, the Foundation recognized an opportunity to usher in the next generation of social sector trailblazers by connecting them with vetted, impactful executives—and each other. What would it look like for the nonprofit leaders of tomorrow to collaborate directly with the nonprofit leaders of today? The MAP Fellowship was born.

What was the impact of previous MAP Fellows?

Past fellows have reimagined fundraising efforts, cracked the code for rebranding age-old institutions, and drove strategic plans that transformed entire organizations. Learn more about their impact by exploring our website’s ‘Impact’ page.

What is the timeline for the MAP Fellowship?

Fellow applications launched on August 28, 2023, and closed on October 20, 2023. Fellows will be notified by December 1, 2022. The six-month program will officially start on January 18, 2024,  and run through July 18, 2024. All in-person activities will take place according to CDC recommendations.

How many MAP Mentors and MAP Fellows are selected?

MFF will select twelve mentors and twelve fellows. We will shape each cohort to encourage an intimate, diverse learning community that brings new perspectives and thoughts to each challenge.

Is the MAP Fellowship a full-time job?

Being a fellow is not a full-time job. It is a rigorous professional development opportunity to be completed with concurrent employment or education. Each fellow pledges to dedicate approximately 15 hours a month, or 90 hours throughout the program, to the program. A full breakdown of Fellow commitments can be reviewed here.

What are the Fellow commitment expectations?

We’re glad you asked! Click this link to view the full fellow expectation document.

Is there a fee to participate in the MAP Fellowship?

No, there is no fee associated with the program. MFF funds all travel, meals, and accommodation expenses related to the program for fellows and mentors. Each nonprofit will have access to up to $5,000 to allow their selected fellow to test, explore, and further innovate their work.

How are MAP Fellows selected?

Successful candidates will advance through two rounds of screening, with the final selection made by each mentor. Due to the high number of applicants to the program, we cannot interview everyone who applies.

How are MAP Mentors selected?

MFF invites esteemed, diverse nonprofit executives to apply for a limited number of openings. In order to be selected, candidates must submit a compelling challenge their organization is facing and make the case for how a fellow can solve that problem during the six-month program.

Do MAP Fellows need to live in the same city as their mentor?

Fellows do not need to live in the same city as their mentor. Fellows will work remotely for the majority of their time with the program, traveling to three events throughout the program, pending CDC recommendations.

Do MAP Fellows need to live in the United States in order to apply?

All MAP Fellows must live in the United States and be able to travel domestically as outlined by the program.

Is there an age requirement to be a MAP Fellow?

No. The admissions team is looking for the strongest candidates possible, no matter their age.

I’m a student in graduate school, am I eligible to apply?

Absolutely! Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the MAP Fellowship.

How does the MAP Fellowship accommodate individuals with disabilities?

MFF will provide reasonable accommodations deemed necessary to participate both in the selection process and in the program. For accommodations or feedback, please contact MFF’s Program Manager, Ash Gallegos at ash.gallegos@thinkmff.org.

What role does MFF play throughout the program?

The Morgridge Family Foundation will:

  • Cover the cost of all travel, meals, and accommodation expenses for mentors and fellows throughout the program.
  • Provide each nonprofit up to $5,000 for their Fellow to test, explore, and further innovate their work.
  • Oversee all programming and logistics of the fellowship except the fellow site visits. While MFF funds the site visits, scheduling and logistics are the responsibility of the fellow and mentor.
  • MFF’s Program Team will work closely with program participants throughout their collaboration, acting as thought partners, coaches, and facilitators. 
  • MFF’s Communications Team will amplify the cohort’s work and is available to publish content as interested by each fellow and mentor. 
  • MFF’s Research Team will lead the measurement and evaluation of the program and the impact of each Fellow.
What happens to the MAP Mentors and MAP Fellows after the conclusion of the program?

Fellows and mentors are life-long members of the growing MAP community. Annual convenings, virtual get-togethers, and meaningful friendships will keep the network alive. The solutions generated by each fellow are designed to be sustainable and self-sufficient, impacting their mentor’s organization long after the program concludes.

I’m another Foundation or a nonprofit organization who is interested in learning more about the MAP Fellowship. What should I do?

We’re glad you’re excited about the program! After you’ve read through the materials on our website, if you have additional questions or would like to have a deeper conversation please contact Ash Gallegos: ash.gallegos@thinkmff.org