Apply for the Stanton Fellowship 2026: Support for Los Angeles Change-Makers and Community Leaders

The Stanton Fellowship, offered by the Durfee Foundation, is a prestigious opportunity for experienced leaders in Los Angeles County to step away from day-to-day responsibilities and explore bold, high-impact ideas. Designed to support inquiry, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the fellowship provides both funding and time to pursue solutions to complex challenges facing the region.

Application Timeline

• Application Opens: April 1
• Application Deadline: June 24
• Site Visits: August 4–27
• Award Notifications: Early September
• In-person Orientation: January 2027

About the Stanton Fellowship

The Stanton Fellowship supports up to six leaders each year with $100,000 over two years to investigate a compelling question that has the potential to create meaningful impact in Los Angeles County.

The program is intended for individuals who are deeply embedded in their fields and communities, and who are well-positioned to explore innovative approaches to pressing issues. Fellows are encouraged to pursue adaptive, exploratory work rather than rigid, technical solutions.

Funding is flexible and may be used for:

• Travel and convenings
• Research and consulting support
• Conferences and collaborative activities

The fellowship creates space for leaders to think critically, test ideas, and develop new approaches that may not be feasible within their regular professional roles.

Fellowship Experience

At the core of the program is a collaborative cohort model. Fellows engage with a diverse, cross-disciplinary group of peers, sharing insights and learning from one another’s work and perspectives.

Participation includes:

• A minimum of three months of dedicated project time over two years (in increments of at least two weeks)
• Three overnight retreats
• Six day-long cohort meetings
• Ongoing knowledge-sharing within professional networks

Fellows are expected to contribute actively to the cohort and disseminate insights from their inquiry to broader audiences.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Los Angeles County
• Work at an organization located and operating within Los Angeles County
• Have at least 10 years of demonstrated leadership and impact in the nonprofit sector, government, arts, social movements, or social entrepreneurship
• Be in a position to influence peers, policymakers, or the public
• Present a clearly defined proposal focused on a “big question” to explore over two years
• Demonstrate financial need for project support (fellowship is supplemental income)
• Commit to all fellowship activities and time requirements
• Not currently receive institutional or academic support for similar research
• Not have received a Durfee Sabbatical within the past five years

The Durfee Foundation strongly encourages applications from organizations serving historically marginalized communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, and low-income populations.

Review Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on three core areas:

1. The Candidate

Reviewers assess whether the applicant:

• Is a recognized thought leader in their field
• Has a strong reputation and influence related to the proposed topic
• Demonstrates openness to experimentation and non-linear exploration
• Has access to platforms or networks to share insights
• Can commit dedicated time away from daily responsibilities
• Will actively contribute to and benefit from the fellowship cohort
• Lacks access to traditional research or inquiry opportunities

2. The Inquiry

The proposed project should:

• Address a complex and significant issue affecting Los Angeles County
• Be clearly articulated and thoughtfully planned
• Demonstrate originality and potential to break new ground
• Be feasible within the two-year timeframe
• Include a clear approach to using time and resources effectively

3. Timing

Strong applications will show:

• The applicant is at the right stage in their career for this opportunity
• There is urgency or relevance to the proposed inquiry
• The applicant’s professional and personal circumstances are stable enough to complete the fellowship

Program Goals

The Stanton Fellowship aims to:

• Enable Los Angeles leaders to pursue in-depth exploration of critical issues
• Build a diverse, cross-sector community of thinkers and practitioners
• Generate insights, relationships, and ideas that influence systems and communities across Los Angeles County

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare a compelling proposal outlining their inquiry and submit their application before June 24.

APPLY HERE