The Livingston Fellowship is a $40,000 award for senior-level leaders that recognizes past contributions to the social sector and enhances their leadership through ongoing personal and professional development experiences. New fellows are invited to develop their own unique plan with the support of the foundation and alumni network. The foundation creates a space to pause and encourage reflection and creativity, as leaders imagine what is possible through the fellowship.

Beginning in 2025, in recognition of community leaders working in for-profit settings, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation is expanding the Livingston Fellowship eligibility criteria to include community-driven leaders working outside of the nonprofit sector, but with very clear eligibility criteria as detailed below.

Eligibility Requirements

Community-centered leaders of Denver Metro area-based organizations catalyzing systemic change who:

• Lead a 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored arts, culture, humanities, youth development, human/social services, health, environment, and science nonprofit organization OR for-profit business with a social purpose based in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, or Jefferson counties.
• Serve full-time in a senior-level, paid position with significant responsibilities for the programmatic and/or operational activities of the organization or enterprise.

Candidate’s employing organizations

Nonprofits:

• Employing organization must fully support the candidate’s application, subsequent fellowship plan and be prepared to address organizational management needs during the candidate’s absence

For-profit business:

• Operate as a for-profit or social enterprise whose primary purpose is to directly address social needs, work in close proximity to and for the benefit of community and create systemic change 
• Provide assurances from community partner(s) of the business’s community focus
• Organization must fully support the candidate’s application, subsequent fellowship plan and be prepared to address organizational management needs during the candidate’s absence

Ineligible candidates

• Elected officials, employees of governmental agencies
• Employees of community, corporate, private or family foundations or family offices
• Employees of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, a trustee of the Foundation, or a relative or partner of any employee or trustee of the Foundation.
   

Candidate Evaluation Criteria

• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated impact and leadership within their field.
• Growth Potential: An awareness of areas for personal growth to explore through the Fellowship. 
• Equity Champions: A track-record of advancing equity and dismantling structural racism in organizations and systems.
• Learning Readiness: An eagerness to engage in personal and professional development.
• Future Visionaries: Individuals poised to make unique and significant contributions to the sector.

Additional candidate considerations:

• Intends to serve several years as a leader in their current organization, other nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and/or in a position that would have considerable influence on the social sector;
• Potential to be a transformational leader and opinion-shaper within the community and with other social sector leaders;
• Committed to examining the history and culture of the social sector, making significant contributions to shaping more equitable practices and policies and exploring new solutions to complex challenges;
• Desire to share with, learn from, and meaningfully engage with community members, leaders, and peers, including the Livingston Fellow alumni network; and
• Prioritize the integration of the fellowship experience with personal and professional commitments.
   

NOMINATION DEADLINE: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM MT