Summer Fellowship Program Nonprofit Application

Summer Fellowship Program Nonprofit Application is sponsored by The Columbus Foundation. Provides fellowships for nonprofit organizations to host students for community service projects during the summer.

Summer Fellows | The Columbus Foundation Summer Fellowship Program Prepare to be a future nonprofit leader by gaining valuable, hands-on experience through our Summer Fellowship Program. Work with highly effective organizations that match your interests through a paid, career-focused program. The Summer Fellowship Program places eligible students with Franklin County nonprofit organizations for a 10-week period.

Students receive valuable experience and a paid stipend for their work, while nonprofits benefit from the additional support students provide to a specific program or objective. The 10-week, full-time fellowship starts June 1, 2026 , and ends August 7, 2026 .

Fellows are matched with a nonprofit based on interests, skills, and the nonprofit’s specific needs or objectives, and are required to attend five professional development sessions culminating in a mandatory end-of-summer presentation on August 8. Fellows will receive a stipend upon completing the program.

College junior, senior, May/June 2026 graduate, or a graduate student in the fall of 2026 and have graduated from a Franklin County high school. OR College junior, senior, May/June 2026 graduate, or graduate student attending a Franklin County college or university. For 2026, a special partnership and eligibility extension will include Junior and Seniors from Denison, Kenyon, and Ohio Wesleyan.

Highly desired qualifications: A strong academic record (preferably a 3. 0+ GPA); and strong English oral and written communication skills. The 2026 Summer Fellowship Program application is closed.

Applications for the 2027 Summer Fellowship Program will open in mid-November. View Deadlines and Open Houses for more information. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Individuals fitting the following criteria are eligible to apply for the program: A college junior, senior, May or June 2026 graduate, or a graduate student; and A graduate of a Franklin County high school attending any four-year college or university; or A junior, senior, recent graduate, or a graduate student attending a Franklin County college or university. HOW LONG IS THE FELLOWSHIP?

The Fellowship is a 10-week, full-time program running from June 1, 2026 to August 7, 2026. . This would include the full-time work of the Fellow, Learning Circle meetings, and any opening and closing orientation sessions for both the Fellow and the selected organization.

HOW DOES THE STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS WORK? Students meeting the minimum qualifications will send complete applications by the deadline. Each application will be reviewed by members of the selection committee.

The selection committee will give each applicant a numerical score based on a set of criteria. These scores will be tallied. Columbus Foundation staff and the selection committee will move the top applicants into an interview phase.

Each selected host organization will be sent information about two applicants. Selected organizations will interview both applicants and choose the one who they believe will be the best fit. Once the organization has chosen the best-fitting applicant, they will notify The Columbus Foundation.

Columbus Foundation staff will contact each potential Fellow to complete a background check. Once the applicant’s background check is completed, The Columbus Foundation will notify the Fellow that he or she has been selected—and which organization they will be serving. HOW MUCH DOES THE FELLOWSHIP PAY?

AND HOW DOES THE FELLOW RECEIVE HIS OR HER STIPEND? The Fellow will receive a stipend of $6,350. Each fellow is considered an employee of the host organization and will be paid through the organization’s payroll system.

Student Summer Fellows FAQs HOW CAN A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BECOME A HOST SITE? If you are a nonprofit organization, please visit the Nonprofit Center to learn about how you can be involved in the Summer Fellowship Program. STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

CONTACT US. “The fellowship is collaborative. We help you become a future nonprofit leader.

You’ll be immersed in professional culture while doing good and having fun along the way. ” Director, Arts & Generational Grantmaking Thank you for signing up! Thank you for signing up!