William Penn Foundation Accepting Implementation Inquiries for Early Education Leadership Fellowship Program

Since 1945, the William Penn Foundation has worked to improve quality of life in the greater Philadelphia region. The foundation also has had a longstanding interest in investments that ensure that children from low-income families have equal access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

In support of this mission, the foundation is creating a Diversifying Early Education Leadership (DEEL) Fellowship Program that seeks to build on the existing knowledge and skills of ECE professionals of color and help organizations in the region develop the inclusive practices needed to further diversify the local ECE leadership cohort. Fellows will receive instruction, workplace experience, mentorship, assistance with project development, leadership opportunities, and career pathway support.

The foundation currently is accepting Letters of Inquiry from organizations with the capacity to develop and implement a fellowship program for mid-career early childhood education professionals of color. Organizations with extensive experience in leadership development involving diverse professional audiences are encouraged to apply. To be considered, organizations must possess the capacity to manage or coordinate the design of a fellowship program, the recruitment and selection process, program implementation, and evaluation. Applicants also must have experience (or be willing to collaborate with an agency that has experience) in helping organizations learn about and implement efforts to address staff diversity, equity, and inclusive practices.

Examples of the types of organizations that could apply include organizations and agencies with a focus on advancing the educational needs of children, universities with a strong early childhood education or education policy component, leadership development organizations, and government entities. Collaborations among multiple organizations are encouraged.

Click here for more information