Press Release: 2017 Fellowship Launch
The Foundation is Seeking Applications from Innovative Problem-Solvers to Tackle Big Challenges Related to Climate Change and Inequality New York, November 3, 2016 – The Nathan Cummings Foundation is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the fourth cycle of the Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellowship, which provides three individuals with up to $150,000 each to pursue a visionary social justice, economic justice and/ or climate change objective for up to 18 months.
The Foundation is interested in applications that demonstrate exceptional vision and a willingness to disrupt entrenched systems and take risks. All proposed projects must relate to at least one of the major challenges the Foundation is dedicated to addressing: Inequality and Climate Change. Fellowship applications should align with at least one of the Foundation’s four focus areas within these two major issues:
- Inclusive Clean Economy
- Racial and Economic Justice
- Corporate and Political Accountability
- Voice, Creativity and Culture
“Real breakthroughs occur when creative, strategic problem-solvers have the support and space to take risks that can pay off big for advancing social change,” says Nathan Cummings Foundation President Sharon Alpert. “The Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellowship Program is designed to demonstrate our confidence in innovative individuals and offer them the resources and networks they need to turn an inspired social justice idea into a world-changing reality. It has proven to us that philanthropy has a critical role to play as an incubator for ideas and we’re thrilled to continue that role with this next cohort.”
Exceptional Fellowship applicants will explain how they will work to push NCF beyond its boundaries and open productive new lines of inquiry, ask provocative questions, challenge conventional wisdom and develop new ideas, approaches and strategies. Fellows will be thought partners informing the Foundation’s work. They will have the use of a dedicated office at NCF’s New York City headquarters, access to NCF staff and a network of NCF grantees, advisors and thought leaders to provide strategic counsel on their project goals.
The NCF Fellowship welcomes a diverse pool of applicants representing practitioners in a variety of fields. Applicants should hold a deep understanding of their subject area, possess a clear analysis of their field and be able to demonstrate a proven history of professional accomplishment and risk-taking.
Applications must be received by midnight December 12, 2016. Finalists will be notified February 2017. From the finalists, three Fellows will be awarded $100,000 for a yearlong grant term, beginning June 2017, with the possibility of a six-month extension and an additional $50,000 in funding.
# # #
About The Nathan Cummings Foundation
Rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice, the Nathan Cummings Foundation focuses on finding solutions to the two biggest problems of our time – the climate crisis and growing inequality. The Foundation invests in four focus areas that help us build a more just, vibrant, sustainable and democratic society: Inclusive Clean Economy; Racial and Economic Justice; Corporate and Political Accountability; and Voice, Creativity and Culture. For more information, visit http://www.nathancummings.org/.
If you would like more information about the Fellowship Program, please contact Taina McField at Taina@nathancummings.org.
For potential media partners who are interested in presenting application information, please contact us at: monisha@spitfirestrategies.com.