Environmental Leadership Initiative Fellowship

We welcome and look forward to reading applications from leaders, in any stage of their career, advancing environmental justice in the state of California and who are motivated in building networks and deepening their commitment to Environmental Justice.

This immersive fellowship is designed to empower leaders from diverse backgrounds whose passion and diligence drive positive change in their communities and advance Environmental Justice. Through an intentional balance of learning sessions, collaborative projects, tailored and personalized Liberatory coaching, and networking opportunities, ELI Fellows will deepen their understanding and orientation to Environmental Justice principles, engage in collective movement-building work, and more deeply cultivate the skills necessary to create lasting impact.

Informational Webinars

Liberty Hill Foundation is hosting 2 informational webinars for individual applicants and organizations to learn more about the application process and fellowship. Participants may ask questions through a Q&A. Webinars will be recorded and made available on the website.

• September 17, 2024 at 4 p.m. (View Recording)
• September 25, 2024 at 12 p.m. (Register here)
  

Drop-In Office Hours

The ELI Fellowship Engagement team is hosting drop-in hours to support applicant’s specific inquiries about the application and fellowship. Join one the drop in hours for support on specific questions and one-on-one with a member of the ELI Fellowship Engagement Team.

• September 19, 2024 at 11 a.m.(Register here)
• September 26 2024 at 1 p.m. (Register here)
  

Important Application Dates

• Application Opens – September 10, 2024
• Application Deadline – October 8, 2024
• Application Informational Webinars
  • September 17, 2024 at 4 p.m. (Register here)
  • September 25, 2024 at 12 p.m. (Register here)
• Application Drop-In Hours
  • September 19, 2024 at 11 a.m. (Register here)
  • September 26, 2024 at 1 p.m. (Register here)
• Fellows Announced – November 2024
  

Important Fellowship Dates

• Virtual Welcome Hour – February 18, 2025
• In-Person Fellowship Orientation – March 2025
  • Cohort 1 year 2 orientation
  • Cohort 2 year 1 orientation
• Cohort 2 Year 1 of Fellowship begins – March 2025
  • Twice a month on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• In-Person midpoint convening – August 2025
• In-Person Fellowship Orientation – March 2026
  • Cohort 1 gathering and networking
  • Cohort 2 year 2 orientation
  • Cohort 3 year 1 orientation
    

Fellowship Benefits

Through the ELI Fellowship, Fellows will have access to:

• Co-developed organizational grants up to $60,000 for community-based organizations with whom fellows are in relationship with.
• Twelve months of curriculum designed and facilitated by Environmental Justice and Leadership experts.
• Professional development funds up to $10,000 aimed to support fellows’ leadership journeys; funding can be used toward conferences, certificates, or other engagements fellows identify as important to their professional development and leadership journey.
• Personalized coaching to support intentional leadership growth.

Through twelve months of the ELI Fellowship curriculum, Fellows will walk away with:

• A deepened understanding of a Liberatory leadership framework, grounded in a history of Environmental Justice to strengthen impact in environmental movement work.
• An embodied understanding of their leadership tools and vision; tools to enhance their movement building skills and behaviors.
• Engagement in intentional community and network building across Environmental Justice leaders in the state of California.

Application & Fellowship Requirements

• Access to a computer or laptop and reliable WiFi
• A completed application with host organization information and three (3) short responses in written, video, or audio format.
• Ability to travel for 2 in-person convenings in March and August 2025. Travel expenses will be covered.
• Availability to engage in a 12-month program of bi-monthly learning sessions from March 2025 to February 2026.
• Availability to participate in 12-month coaching and professional development sessions in Year 2 of ELI from March 2025 to February 2026.

Sample Application