Are you an experienced professional looking to use your expertise to create meaningful social impact? The Encore Fellowships program offers accomplished professionals an opportunity to transition their decades of experience into nonprofit leadership while earning a $25,000 stipend.

Designed for professionals with at least 20 years of work experience, Encore Fellowships connect skilled individuals with nonprofit organizations that need experienced leaders to strengthen their operations, build organizational capacity, and expand their impact. Fellows work on strategic projects while gaining valuable exposure to the nonprofit sector and making a lasting difference in their communities.

If you are passionate about using your professional background for meaningful change, the Encore Fellowship could be the ideal next step in your career.

About Encore Fellowships

Encore Fellowships are designed to bridge the gap between experienced professionals and nonprofit organizations seeking high-level expertise.

Rather than filling traditional employment positions, Fellows are matched with organizations that require strategic guidance, leadership, and specialized skills for capacity-building initiatives.

Each Fellow works closely with a nonprofit organization over a period of 6 to 12 months, contributing approximately 1,000 hours—typically around 20 hours per week, although some placements may require up to 35 hours weekly.

Participants receive professional support while helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their operations and increase long-term sustainability.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected Fellows will receive numerous professional and personal benefits, including:

• $25,000 compensation for their service
• Opportunity to work on high-impact nonprofit projects
• Collaborate directly with nonprofit leadership teams
• Apply decades of professional expertise to meaningful causes
• Expand knowledge of the nonprofit and social impact sector
• Develop new leadership experiences
• Build professional networks within mission-driven organizations
• Flexible work arrangements depending on placement
  • Remote
  • Hybrid
  • Onsite

Fellowship Structure

Successful Fellows will:

• Contribute approximately 1,000 hours
• Serve for 6–12 months
• Work approximately 20–35 hours each week
• Support nonprofit organizations on strategic capacity-building projects
• Be employed and paid through Encore Fellowships, which manages:
  • Candidate screening
  • Onboarding
  • Payroll administration
  • Employment logistics

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have 20 or more years of paid professional work experience
• Demonstrate a strong interest in supporting nonprofit or social impact organizations
• Be able to commit approximately 1,000 hours over 6–12 months
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States
• Be available to work remotely, onsite, or in a hybrid arrangement
• Possess significant professional expertise that can benefit nonprofit organizations

Ideal Candidates

Encore Fellowships are particularly suitable for professionals who have served in senior or leadership positions such as:

• Executive Directors
• Marketing Directors
• Communications Directors
• Digital Transformation Leaders
• Operations Managers
• Human Resource Leaders
• Finance Professionals
• IT Specialists
• Program Managers
• Strategy Consultants
• Business Executives
• Project Managers

Professionals from both the private and public sectors are encouraged to express their interest.

Areas of Expertise Sought

Encore Fellowships welcome professionals with expertise in areas including:

• Marketing
• Communications
• Brand Strategy
• Fundraising
• Digital Marketing
• Analytics
• Social Media
• Technology
• Digital Transformation
• Human Resources
• Finance
• Operations
• Project Management
• Leadership Development
• Organizational Strategy
• Capacity Building

Work Location Options

Depending on the nonprofit organization’s needs, Fellows may work:

• Remotely
• Onsite
• Hybrid

Who Can Apply?

Applications are currently open to experienced professionals who:

• Reside in the United States
• Are eligible to work in the United States
• Meet the professional experience requirements

At this time, the program is only available in the United States.

Application Process

Interested applicants should complete the online interest form and provide:

• Personal contact information
• Work experience
• Preferred work location
• LinkedIn profile
• Previous leadership positions
• Areas of expertise
• Previous industry experience
• Additional comments about their interests

Following submission, an Encore Fellowship Manager will contact eligible candidates to discuss suitable fellowship opportunities.

Required Information

Applicants should prepare:

• First and last name
• Telephone number
• Email address
• City and State
• ZIP Code
• LinkedIn Profile
• Years of paid work experience
• Previous job titles
• Core professional expertise
• Industry background
• Work location preference
• General comments

Why Apply?

Encore Fellowships provide a unique opportunity to transition decades of professional experience into meaningful social impact.

Instead of stepping away from leadership after a successful career, Fellows continue making a difference by helping nonprofit organizations solve real-world challenges. The fellowship allows professionals to use their expertise in strategy, operations, communications, technology, finance, and many other fields while receiving financial compensation and expanding their professional networks.

It is an excellent opportunity for experienced professionals who want to leave a lasting legacy through service.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should complete the official Encore Fellowships interest form.

Application Portal:
https://fedcap.tfaforms.net/5178761?tfa_Ownerid=005G000000641Ng&tfa_9504653290883=001Qn00000SxnZQ

For questions regarding the application process:

Email: efinfo@fedcap.org

Conclusion

The Encore Fellowships program offers experienced professionals an exceptional opportunity to leverage decades of expertise in service of nonprofit organizations across the United States. With a $25,000 paid fellowship, flexible work arrangements, and meaningful capacity-building projects, the program enables accomplished professionals to continue making a significant impact while supporting organizations dedicated to social good.

If you have over 20 years of professional experience and are passionate about giving back through your skills and leadership, this fellowship is well worth exploring.

Discover more fellowship opportunities like these on the OFY webpage .