Bring together leaders from varied professional backgrounds, geographic regions and racial and ethnic groups that form a powerful learning community.
Provide those who participate in our programs, called Fellows, with a series of opportunities for professional development and personal growth, including executive seminars, peer consultations and individual coaching.
Hone the skills of participants in making data-driven decisions; developing effective strategies; understanding systems; leading through complexity and ambiguity; and collaborating.
Offer nine four-day seminars that build the competencies of Fellows to achieve results and equitable opportunities for kids and families. The seminars help advance the Fellows' results work, provide opportunities to explore leadership challenges and introduce them to leaders and organizations who are producing measurable results for children and families.
Fellows are working in leadership positions serving children and families in communities around the country:
An evaluation of the Fellowship found that the intensive leadership program helped social-sector executives transform the way their organizations worked on behalf of children in low-income communities. Fellows were able to embed a data-driven approach into organizational strategies, work practices and equity initiatives and extend that approach to their partners.
Every three years, the Fellowship accepts nominations and applications.
The Fellowship seeks talented, accomplished and ambitious professionals from across the country who want to strengthen public and nonprofit systems in ways that make them more effective, efficient, equitable and reliable. The Foundation seeks people who strive for excellence and for measurable and equitable results, who want to accelerate their professional and personal development and who want to amplify their effectiveness and make a greater difference.
Candidates typically must have the following:
- a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the social sector, with increasing levels of responsibility serving children and families (for example, directors, deputies, program managers, department heads and executives);
- a strong record of achievement and career advancement, with sights on even higher levels of effectiveness and influence;
- an appreciation for engaging affected populations in solutions;
- an understanding of how race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation and language affect service delivery, policy, practice, advocacy and leadership decisions;
- a commitment to closing disparity gaps and achieving equitable opportunities for all children, youth and their families — most specifically those experiencing barriers to their full potential;
- a willingness to grapple with and work in complexity and ambiguity; and
- an openness to self-reflection and continuous learning as part of personal growth.
Since launching in 1993, 12 cohorts have participated in the Children and Family Fellowship. Learn more about the leaders who participated in each class.
One of the greatest long-term benefits of the Fellowship is the opportunity for all Fellows to join a nationwide network of 155 influential Casey Fellows.
The Network does the following:
- supports collaborative activities among Fellows and encourages them to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and expertise of other Fellows;
- serves as a source of peer support and consultation to Fellows as they confront leadership, organizational and personal challenges;
- meets annually and conducts ongoing professional development activities; and
- offers ongoing consultation and leadership to the Fellowship program and the Foundation.
