The Equity Catalyst Fellowship: Structured Leadership Development
Accelerate Your Career, Advance Our Cause
The Equity Catalyst Fellowship (ECF) is a highly competitive, intensive professional development program designed for mid-career LGBTQIA+ individuals who are looking to pivot into non-profit leadership, social impact consulting, or policy advocacy. This nine-month, stipend-supported fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical, high-level experience by leading a mission-critical project within Empower Queer while receiving dedicated executive coaching and mentorship from our board and senior leadership team. Unlike a typical internship, the ECF requires Fellows to take ownership of a significant organizational goal, providing them with the necessary resources and autonomy to drive real change. We are looking for individuals with proven professional experience (typically 5-10 years) in fields like strategic planning, communications, finance, or human resources, who are ready to transition their expertise into the social impact sector.
The ECF operates on a cohort model, fostering a powerful network among the Fellows themselves and providing a supportive, collaborative environment. Each year, we define three specific, high-priority organizational challenges that the Fellows address. For the upcoming cycle, these project tracks include: Developing a National Corporate Accountability Scorecard, Designing a Sustainable Revenue Diversification Strategy, and Launching a Grassroots Advocacy Training Module for Small Cities. Fellows are embedded within the relevant department (e.g., Policy & Research for the Scorecard) and are expected to deliver a complete, ready-to-implement framework by the end of their term. Beyond the project work, the fellowship includes a robust professional development curriculum covering topics such as ethical non-profit governance, coalition building, and effective legislative lobbying. The time commitment is 30 hours per week, with a flexible schedule that accommodates personal needs, and includes a $15,000 professional stipend to offset living expenses during the program. This fellowship is an invaluable pathway for queer professionals committed to becoming the next generation of social justice leaders.
