Clone of 2025 Stage 1_Wild Gift Fellowship Application

The Wild Gift Fellowship Overview

The 2026 Fellowship begins the week of March 9, 2026, with nine weeks of virtual sessions (2 hours each) leading up to the trek.

The 18-day wilderness trek takes place May 18–June 5, 2026, in Escalante, Utah, with travel days included at both ends.

After the trek, Fellows participate in three monthly virtual sessions (2 hours each), concluding the program in September 2026.

The Wild Gift Fellowship Includes:

18-day backpacking trek in Escalante, Utah (May 18–June 5, 2026, including travel days)
Six months of leadership and venture development programming — weekly virtual sessions before the trek (beginning the week of March 9, 2026) and monthly sessions afterward (through September 2026)
$2,500 stipend to support time away and travel costs
Personalized 1:1 coaching and mentorship
A lifelong community of supportive peers and mentors, with opportunities for continued engagement through alumni events and trips

The Ideal Wild Gift Fellow

We’re looking for emerging leaders who are building social or environmental ventures grounded in a clear vision, mission, and measurable impact. Your venture should address a pressing need within a community or ecosystem, creating meaningful and lasting change.

We especially encourage applications from individuals who may not typically have access to wilderness experiences, as well as underrepresented leaders in both entrepreneurship and outdoor spaces. Above all, we seek changemakers who are eager to grow within a like-minded, supportive community of peers who share a commitment to leading with purpose and care for the planet.

About you:

Name*

First NameLast Name

Pronouns*

Birthday *

Date

Email*

example@example.com

Venture Name and Location (State/Province, City)*

Insert link(s) to Venture’s website, social media, blogs, or any other URL you use to promote your work*

Gender: how do you describe yourself? (e.g. trans man/woman, cis gender man/woman, non binary, another identity, prefer not to respond)*

Ethnicity/Cultural Identity: How do you identify? (Select all that apply)*

Do you identify as BIPOC?*

YesNoPrefer not to sayOther

To support our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, we invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify if they have a disability and include any accommodations you may require (below). This information is confidential, and your response will not impact your application.

If you indicated above that you have a disability, please let us know about any accommodations you may need or how we can support you during the application process. If you have any questions, please contact jacinta@wildgift.org.

Please upload your resume or CV.*

About your venture:

How did you hear about the Wild Gift Fellowship? *

What stage is your venture? (e.g. idea stage, formed a team, set up a legal entity, explored the market opportunity, entered the market, raised capital, etc.)*

How are you currently working on your venture? (full-time/part-time?)*

Tell us about your commitment to your venture and how you plan to keep moving it forward over the long term.0/50

What is your venture's mission statement? *

More context: Describe what you want to do (e.g. feed the hungry in Blaine County) and how you (will) do it. This is your big goal – what you’re trying to achieve socially or environmentally. Be concise, and address the 5 W’s and H: What, Who, Why, When, Where and How.0/50

What long-term impact do you seek to create with your venture?*

In other words, what benefits will accrue to individuals, communities or the environment as a result of your venture? Content limited to 100 words.0/100

How does your venture make a difference? What challenge or injustice are you addressing, and in what ways does your approach bring fresh, innovative solutions to that issue?*

Describe the products/programs, who it serves, and specify how you implement and take them to scale. Content limited to 150 words.0/150

If selected, Wild Gift has permission to use the above mission and impact statements in marketing content including in the Wild Gift newsletter and on social media, as well as other platforms.*

YesNoAsk me later

Looking ahead, what key milestones do you aim to achieve in the next 12 months to advance your venture’s long-term social or environmental impact?*

0/150

Why are you applying to the Wild Gift Fellowship and what do you hope to gain from the Fellowship at this point in your life and career? Content limited to 150 words.*

0/150

How do you believe your unique background and venture will enrich the diversity, inspiration, and shared learning within the Wild Gift cohort and alumni community?*

0/150

Wild Gift aims to foster an inclusive, diverse, and safe environment. As we develop safe and inclusive spaces for diverse participants (that account for multiple identities and needs), we believe the leaders we support need to understand the value of this approach. Please comment on how you create or aim to create this type of positive work environment within your venture and why it’s important to your leadership. Content limited to 150 words.*

0/150

What interests you about the outdoors and connecting to the wilderness? Content limited to 150 words.*

0/150

OPTIONAL: Do you have any questions or concerns about the fellowship?

Wild Gift Fellowship Application: Stage 1

Eligibility Requirements

About you:

Documents

About your venture: