FAO Schwarz Fellowship 2026-2028 cohort | Launch a Social Impact Career
- Omran Aburayya
- Nov 5
- 4 min read
If you are a recent (or soon-to-be) college graduate passionate about social change and eager to build a leadership career in the nonprofit sector, the FAO Schwarz Fellowship 2026-2028 cohort is now open for applications. This two-year, paid fellowship places Fellows at leading nonprofit organisations in Boston, New York City or Philadelphia, combining direct service, strategic project work and professional development to jump-start a social impact career.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: United States — Boston, MA; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA.
Host institutions: A select group of high-impact nonprofit organisations (for the 2026-28 cohort: 826 Boston, Audubon Mid‑Atlantic, Reading Partners, Brooklyn Public Library, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Trustees) across the three cities.
Programme duration: Two-year Fellowship.
Target group: College seniors graduating between November 2025 and summer 2026 (for the 2026-28 cycle), eligible to work in the U.S., committed to social equity, direct service and leadership in nonprofits.
Fields of focus: Broad social impact domains including education, youth development, environmental justice, public service and community leadership at partner nonprofits.
Value & coverage: Fellows will receive a paid position with benefits; for the 2026-28 cohort salary over two years is about US $96,000-$110,000 depending on city and host organisation.
Application deadline: 1 February 2026 (by 9:00 pm ET) for the 2026-28 cohort.
Start date: Typically Summer 2026 (after selection).
📚 Programme Overview
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is designed to offer a launch-pad for young leaders who wish to build careers in social impact. It combines direct service work (hands-on with community or youth programs) with strategic project leadership within the host nonprofit, plus structured professional development, mentoring, cohort retreats and a network of alumni.
During the two years, Fellows engage in:
Community-facing service roles (e.g., with youths, families, underserved communities)
Strategic projects to strengthen a nonprofit’s capacity or mission impact
Two leadership retreats each year where the cohort comes together to learn, reflect and network
One-on-one mentoring and support from the host organisation and the Fellowship network
Exposure to a large alumni network and opportunities for career pathways in social change.
For example, in the 2026-28 cycle the Fellowship is partnering with eight placements at six host organisations — a record number.
🎁 Benefits
Competitive compensation: Approximately US $96,000-$110,000 total over the two-year term (depending on host city).
Full-time paid placement in a leading nonprofit in one of three U.S. cities — providing on-the-job leadership experience and community service.
Professional development: Leadership retreats, mentoring, cohort networking, skill-building in social innovation and nonprofit management.
Cohort & alumni network: The Fellowship connects you to peers and alumni who work across the social impact sector — excellent for long-term career growth.
Career launch toolkit: Many Fellows move into leadership roles in NGOs, continue to graduate study, or launch social impact initiatives after their Fellowship.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2026-28 FAO Schwarz Fellowship, applicants must:
Be a college senior (or graduating between Nov 2025 and summer 2026) from an accredited four-year institution.
Be legally eligible to work in the U.S. for the full two-year Fellowship term (visa sponsorship generally not provided).
Demonstrate strong leadership, academic record and commitment to social change and equity; show interest in service and strategic project work in a nonprofit environment.
Be willing to relocate to one of the three cities (Boston, New York City, Philadelphia) and engage in the full programme of service, project work and development.
Note: Applicants are not required to be nominated by their college. They apply directly to individual Fellowship positions announced on the FAO Schwarz website.
📝 Application Procedure
Review the host organisations and Fellowship positions (8 for the 2026-28 cycle) and select those aligning with your interests.
Submit your application by 1 February 2026 (9 pm ET). Applications open 1 November 2025.
Attend an online info session or AMA as offered; these are strongly recommended.
Host organisations will screen applications, invite interviews, select Finalists and announce placements by April.
🗂️ Documents & Application Content
A current résumé (PDF format preferred)
Responses to four short-answer questions about interest in the Fellowship, host organisation, previous experience and leadership potential.
Proof of eligibility (graduation timeline, work authorization)
Possibly additional host-specific materials (varies by organisation)
✨ Tips for Applicants
Start by researching the host organisations for the 2026-28 cycle to find the ones that truly align with your interests in service, leadership, and social impact.
Tailor your application responses to show how your leadership, community engagement or academic experience relate to the mission of the host and the Fellowship’s focus on social change.
Highlight both direct service experience and strategic thinking — the Fellowship values capacity to engage community work and lead projects.
Be prepared to relocate and commit fully for two years: demonstrate your willingness to live and work in one of the programme cities.
Attend an info session or AMA offered by the Fellowship to get insider perspective, ask questions and show your engagement.
Make sure your résumé is well-formatted (PDF), proofread, and clearly shows your leadership roles, impact and readiness for this opportunity.
Note the work-authorization requirement: ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. for the full term before applying.
Consider how this two-year Fellowship will launch your career trajectory, and use your responses to articulate your long-term vision in social impact.
Meet the deadline—applications close February 1, 2026; submitting ahead of time avoids last-minute issues.
Emphasise how you will benefit from and contribute to the cohort-and-alumni network of future social impact leaders.
👌🏻 This Fellowship offers a unique pathway into early-career leadership in the social impact sector through immersive experience, mentoring and a strong network — ideal for ambitious graduates ready to lead change.
