Skip to Content

The Fund for New Leadership (FNL) identifies and invests in promising and exceptional early-stage social entrepreneurs  tackling America’s most urgent challenges, accelerating the growth of both the leader and their venture to achieve real, lasting impact.

Divisiveness, economic inequities and barriers to opportunity are straining the fabric of society in ways that demand approaches beyond simple or traditional solutions. Across the country, local innovators and social entrepreneurs are already creating new approaches, often without the recognition or support needed to grow their impact. 

FNL exists to change that. We ask: What becomes possible when rising leaders and early-stage ventures get meaningful resources up front, from a partner willing to take a chance on bold ideas? We believe early investment is essential to unlocking the potential and accelerating transformative work.

Through a combination of financial support,  in-house consulting and a high-impact accelerator, FNL equips fellows to strengthen their organizations, expand their teams and grow their impact. FNL doesn’t focus on issues or problems. We focus on talent and solutions. This is not a community defined by what’s broken, but one oriented around what we can build and fix together.

OUR FELLOWSHIPS

Discover

FNL’s year-long program identifies undiscovered top talent taking on major challenges and supports them with the means necessary to make exponentially greater impact.

Develop

The FNL Fellowship is a high-intensity accelerator that provides a cohort experience, as well as targeted 1:1 training, group mentoring, and hands-on work sessions with advisors over a 12-month period.

Grow

$100,000 unrestricted grants allow fellows to identify how to use the financial investment to grow their impact. Fellows also have access to consulting and capacity-building services.

“FNL has been invaluable in my journey to learn and collaborate with peers and staff dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. While pursuing social impact missions and fundraising can be challenging, FNL’s support team has been instrumental. Their fundraising advisors grasp the intricacies and excel at refining our proposals, increasing our chances of securing additional funding. And the assistance of a professional communications team has made it easier to share our work broadly.” Kai Tao 2021–2024 Fellow: ICAN! (Illinois Contraceptive Access Now) Read more
“From the moment I joined FNL, I was immersed in a community of passionate, driven individuals who shared a common goal: to make a positive impact on the world.” Danielle L. Campbell 2023–2026 Fellow: 2A Forward Read more
“I am deeply grateful for the transformative experience I have had since joining the Fund for New Leadership. I’ve been paired with a diverse cohort of individuals from across the country, all on a mission to become better leaders. The program has helped uncover my unique leadership style, refine my storytelling abilities, and gain valuable insights into effective leadership. What truly stands out about FNL is the unwavering support and genuine care from the dedicated consultants who see us as individuals, regardless of our past. This fellowship shatters stereotypes, reminding me that my past doesn’t define me. For the first time in a quarter century, I feel truly seen and valued as a human being.” Adam Procell 2023–2026 Fellow: The Central DOOR: The Department Of Organized Reentry Read more
Back to top