Applications are now open for the Values Partnerships Fall Fellowship 2026, an exciting paid fellowship opportunity designed for emerging leaders who are passionate about working at the intersection of culture, marketing, communications, creativity, and social impact. This highly competitive fellowship provides participants with practical experience supporting real-world campaigns, strategic partnerships, and community engagement initiatives while working alongside experienced professionals in one of the United States’ leading cultural marketing and social impact agencies.
The fellowship will run from September 9 to December 18, 2026, offering selected fellows an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on projects for corporate organizations, nonprofits, entertainment companies, advocacy groups, and institutions committed to creating meaningful social impact.
Whether you are a university student, recent graduate, career changer, or an emerging professional interested in cultural strategy and purpose-driven work, this fellowship provides an excellent platform to build professional experience while contributing to projects that positively influence communities.
About Values Partnerships
Values Partnerships (VPI) is a nationally recognized marketing, communications, social impact, and insights agency based in the United States. For more than a decade, the organization has helped leading brands, institutions, nonprofits, and entertainment companies understand, engage, and empower what it calls the “New Majority”—including Generation Z, Generation Alpha, and multicultural communities.
The organization specializes in creating culturally relevant strategies that enable organizations to build authentic relationships with diverse audiences while driving measurable social and business impact.
Its work combines research, storytelling, creative communications, strategic partnerships, and community engagement to help clients connect with communities in meaningful ways.
What Values Partnerships Does
The agency collaborates with organizations to:
- Build trust with communities
- Design culturally relevant marketing campaigns
- Develop creative engagement strategies
- Launch purpose-driven partnerships
- Produce community-centered events
- Support social impact initiatives
- Strengthen audience engagement
- Deliver strategic communications
- Create authentic storytelling campaigns
Over the years, Values Partnerships has established itself as a leader in helping organizations navigate culture, diversity, creativity, and social responsibility.
About the Fall Fellowship
The Values Partnerships Fall Fellowship is a paid professional development opportunity designed to provide participants with practical experience in cultural marketing, communications, social impact consulting, strategic partnerships, and creative storytelling.
Rather than working on hypothetical assignments, fellows contribute directly to ongoing projects serving a wide variety of clients across different industries.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will collaborate with strategists, creatives, communications professionals, and client teams while learning how large-scale campaigns are planned, executed, and evaluated.
The program is ideal for individuals seeking careers in:
- Marketing
- Communications
- Social impact
- Community engagement
- Brand strategy
- Public relations
- Creative strategy
- Advocacy
- Digital storytelling
- Cultural consulting
Fellowship Responsibilities
Selected fellows will contribute to numerous professional activities, including:
Client Support
- Draft client deliverables
- Edit communications materials
- Assist with project documentation
- Support client engagement activities
Research
Fellows will conduct research on:
- Cultural trends
- Community organizations
- Strategic partnership opportunities
- Audience insights
- Marketing strategies
Campaign Development
Participants may assist with:
- Marketing campaigns
- Community engagement campaigns
- Cultural initiatives
- Brand partnerships
- Advocacy campaigns
Events
Fellows may support:
- Event planning
- Community events
- Brand activations
- Experiential marketing initiatives
- Logistics coordination
Digital Communications
Responsibilities may include:
- Social media planning
- Digital storytelling
- Content creation
- Creative writing
- Communications strategy
Meetings
Participants will also attend:
- Internal strategy meetings
- Client meetings
- Team planning sessions
- Campaign discussions
These experiences provide valuable exposure to high-level strategic work while allowing fellows to contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects.
Fellowship Focus Areas
Applicants may express interest in one or more of the following areas.
1. Social Impact Consulting
Participants will help develop initiatives designed to create positive community outcomes.
Projects may focus on:
- Community engagement
- Advocacy partnerships
- Equity initiatives
- Economic opportunity
- Cultural representation
2. Marketing and Cultural Strategy
Fellows interested in marketing will support campaigns that help organizations connect authentically with diverse audiences.
Projects may involve:
- Audience engagement
- Consumer insights
- Cultural marketing
- Brand positioning
- Strategic partnerships
3. Events and Experiential Marketing
Participants interested in events will gain experience supporting:
- Community events
- Brand activations
- Experiential campaigns
- Event logistics
- Event coordination
4. Faith-Based Communities
Some fellows may work on projects involving:
- Faith leaders
- Religious communities
- Community partnerships
- Values-driven engagement
5. Creative and Digital Strategy
Creative fellows may contribute to:
- Social media campaigns
- Digital storytelling
- Creative writing
- Visual content
- Content planning
Benefits of the Fellowship
The Values Partnerships Fellowship offers numerous professional benefits.
Real Campaign Experience
Participants contribute to actual client projects rather than simulated assignments.
Professional Development
Fellows strengthen practical skills in:
- Strategic thinking
- Research
- Writing
- Communications
- Marketing
- Project management
- Client engagement
Mentorship
Participants work alongside experienced professionals with backgrounds in:
- Marketing
- Media
- Communications
- Advocacy
- Entertainment
- Social impact
Exposure to Purpose-Driven Work
Fellows gain insight into how organizations build authentic partnerships with communities while advancing social impact goals.
Collaboration
Participants become part of collaborative multidisciplinary teams working on meaningful projects across different sectors.
Who Can Apply?
Unlike previous years, the fellowship is no longer limited to students.
Applications are welcomed from:
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Recent graduates
- Career changers
- Emerging professionals
Individuals from various educational and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they have a genuine interest in cultural strategy, marketing, communications, and social impact.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should:
- Be available throughout the fellowship period.
- Be interested in marketing, communications, strategy, advocacy, social impact, events, or digital storytelling.
- Be based in the United States.
- Eastern Time Zone applicants are preferred.
Fellowship Schedule
Selected fellows will work:
- Four days per week
- Five hours per day
- During standard Eastern Time working hours
This structure allows participants to gain substantial professional experience while maintaining flexibility.
Fellowship Compensation
This is a paid fellowship.
Selected fellows will receive:
- $20 per hour
Technical Requirements
Participants must have access to:
- A computer
- Reliable internet connection
- Mobile phone or landline
Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
Writing Sample Prompt
Applicants must respond to the following prompt in 300 words or fewer:
What is one cultural trend or shift that you believe brand marketers and communicators are overlooking right now? How should brands or organizations respond to it?
Responses should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of:
- Culture
- Marketing
- Audience engagement
- Strategic thinking
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed during early August.
The recruitment process includes:
- Application review
- Interviews beginning in mid-August
- Final decisions communicated by September 1, 2026
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | July 21, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | August 7, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) |
| Interviews | Mid-August 2026 |
| Final Decisions | By September 1, 2026 |
| Fellowship Period | September 9 – December 18, 2026 |
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit all required application materials through the official Values Partnerships application portal.
Applicants should ensure they include:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.
Visit HERE to learn more about the Values Partnerships Fall Fellowship 2026 in the USA
Contact Information
For questions regarding the fellowship, applicants may contact:
- Chadwick Smith – chadwick@valuespartnerships.com
- Alex Blanc – alex@valuespartnerships.com
Applicants can also learn more about Values Partnerships and its work by visiting the organization’s official website.
Deadline
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET).
Late applications are unlikely to be considered, so applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents before the deadline.
Conclusion
The Values Partnerships Fall Fellowship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring marketers, strategists, communicators, creatives, and social impact professionals who want to build meaningful careers while contributing to projects that create real community impact.
With paid professional experience, mentorship from industry experts, exposure to high-profile campaigns, and opportunities to collaborate with major brands and nonprofit organizations, the fellowship offers participants an excellent foundation for future careers in marketing, communications, cultural strategy, and advocacy.
If you are passionate about storytelling, community engagement, cultural marketing, or purpose-driven communications, this fellowship provides the practical experience and professional network needed to advance your career.
For more international fellowships, internships, scholarships, grants, conferences, jobs, and leadership opportunities, visit Opportunities for Youth (OFY) at www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.
