GEO’s Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship is for senior leaders in the sector who are seeking support, resources and guidance on how to lead equitable organizational change. Fellows typically report to an Executive Director, President or CEO at a grantmaking organization (but are not the ED, President nor CEO), and have the direct authority to lead internal organization-wide change. Completing this application is the first step of starting your Change Leaders journey!

You are able to save and resume the application at a later date if needed by clicking "Save" at the bottom of the form. If you do so, be sure to save the link so you can return to the form. 

If you require any accessibility assistance or have questions about your application, please contact Jaser Alsharhan, Director of Programs, at jaser@geofunders.org 

The application period IS NOW EXTENDED and will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026. Applicants can expect a response the week of February 16.  

Are you a GEO member? Please note that your application review will not be affected by your membership status. However, if accepted, your organization must become a GEO member to participate in the fellowship by early 2026, and your organization must maintain membership throughout the duration of the fellowship. Please note the membership rates for 2026 below.

The cost for participation in this fellowship is based on your organization’s annual grantmaking budget and will be required to fulfill upon acceptance into the fellowship. The program fee will be due in March 2026. The fee covers virtual and in-person programming, materials, and all meals and drinks during in-person retreats; you are responsible for covering travel and lodging.

Please use your foundation’s grantmaking giving range (e.g., grants, discretionary, FOI, etc.) to determine your program fee amount: 

*There are limited scholarship funds available based on need.

**There is also the opportunity donate beyond the program fee to support our scholarship fund to make the program more accessible. 

In addition to the program fee, your organization must be or become a GEO member to participate in the fellowship by early 2026. Your organization must maintain membership throughout the duration of the fellowship.

Please share the contact information for the person at your organization who would be responsible for fulfilling the program fee payment by March 2026 if you are accepted into the fellowship.

This fellowship program is an intensive learning community that relies on the active, ongoing engagement of all members. The minimum expected time commitment for this cohort includes:  

Required participation in an orientation webinar. We will hold the same webinar twice to accommodate different schedules, you only need to attend one, although you are welcome to join both if you’d like to meet more of the fellows and hear the information again. 

• Monday, March 2 from 12-1pm ET
• Wednesday, March 11 from 12-1pm ET

Required participation in a virtual Launch Party. The full cohort will gather online to learn more about GEO, each other, and what to expect ahead of the Opening Retreat.

• Thursday, March 19 from 1:00pm - 2:30pm ET

Required participation in three separate retreats. Each retreat takes the form of a three-day in-person convening. 

• The Opening Retreat will be from Wednesday, April 8 – Friday, April 10, 2026 in Washington, DC at GEO's office.
• The Midpoint Retreat will be held over three days the week of July 22, 2026 (exact days and location TBD; will be confirmed and communicated by the time the cohort is formed in March) 
• The Closing Retreat will be held over three days the week of November 16, 2026 (exact days and location TBD; will be confirmed and communicated by the time the cohort is formed in March)

Required participation in cohort activities between retreats, at least 90-minutes every other week in the months of May, June, August, September and October 2026 for:

• Peer exchange and coaching as part of a “home team” made up of a subset of colleagues from the cohort 
• 1-on-1 check-ins with facilitators and other fellows  
• Retreat prework and postwork consisting of individual practice and reflection, readings, and conversations inside your organization 
   

This fellowship is designed to support senior leaders who are authorized by their Executive Director, President or CEO to lead organizational change within their organization. As a result, Executive Director, President or CEO active endorsement is essential to success. The more aware of CLIPF’s purpose and format your Executive Director, President or CEO is, the better they can help you carve out time and energy for the experience.

We strongly recommend that you have a substantive conversation with your Executive Director, President or CEO to ensure their support. If invited to join the fellowship, we will also reach out to let them know that you have been accepted and to emphasize the importance of their support.

If during this application process your Executive Director, President or CEO has questions or would like to discuss the details of fellowship with GEO, please reach out to Jaser Alsharhan, Director of Programs, at jaser@geofunders.org.