Get an Encore Fellow
Encore Fellows bring years of experience and a wealth of knowledge and skills into their fellowship assignments. They are eager to learn about the important work you do and to have a significant positive impact on your organization’s mission. While the typical fellowship assignment is for 12 months, many host organizations have found ways to retain their fellows for further work or have even hired their fellows outright.
Encore Fellowships are designed for former professionals who want to put their skills, experience and passion to work in high-impact assignments with select social-purpose organizations. The program selects and matches 8-12 fellows and work hosts per cohort group. Experience Matters manages two Encore Fellowships cohorts per year – one in the fall and one in the spring.
Application Timeline
Host site applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for selection processes that typically occur in the fall and spring of each year.
Funding
The cost of an Encore Fellow is $30,000, which covers a $20,000 stipend for the fellow. Work host organizations are typically expected to contribute $10,000 towards this cost. The remaining costs are supported by contributions from corporate and foundation sponsors. Modest scholarship support is available in some instances.
Eligibility
- Fellowship assignments will be located within Maricopa County. Host organizations may be nonprofits, government agencies, health care or education organizations.
- Interested organizations must also attend a two-day Learning Lab workshop.
Selection Considerations
Work Impact – clearly-defined high priority, capacity-building assignment with outcomes that are achievable in the allotted time frame
Leadership commitment – commitment of executive team to fellow’s work assignment and willingness to fund the host organization’s share of the fellow’s compensation and program cost
Capacity and readiness – solid plan to orient, integrate and manage the fellow; stability in organization and staffing
Innovation and suitability – willingness to adapt structure and schedule for the fellow’s role and schedule
Matching Steps
Step 1 – Applications are reviewed to determine readiness, level and area of interest, and potential match with fellow profiles.
Step 2 – Candidates are interviewed by Experience Matters to gather more information and preferences and to identify potential fellow candidates.
Step 3 – Candidates may be presented with up to three prospective fellow candidates. They review fellow profiles and other information and arrange formal interviews, site visits and conversations with staff to assess the match.
Step 4 – Experience Matters works with the prospective fellows and host organizations to create mutually agreeable fellowship assignments.
Step 5 – Each matched nonprofit and fellow jointly develop a specific statement of work laying out roles and responsibilities, goals and milestones, supervision, time frame and other factors.
Please use the form below to register and complete your application and position description(s). If you were referred by a corporate or foundation sponsor, please indicate the sponsor’s name.
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