The University of California, Berkeley, through the Haas School of Business and its Center for Social Sector Leadership (CSL), is inviting qualified professionals to apply for the Philanthropy Fellow, Civil Society and Leadership position with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

This full-time professional opportunity offers an exciting pathway for emerging leaders interested in philanthropy, civil society, nonprofit organizations, strategic grantmaking, social impact, research, evaluation, leadership, and international development. The successful candidate will work with the Packard Foundation’s Civil Society and Leadership team while receiving professional development, coaching, mentorship, and institutional support from UC Berkeley’s Center for Social Sector Leadership.

The position is based at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California, with the Foundation currently operating on a hybrid schedule in which staff work from the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The role provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in strategic philanthropy while contributing to research, evaluation and learning, strategy implementation, grantmaking, knowledge management, project management, and engagement with nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders.

Opportunity Overview

• Position: Philanthropy Fellow, Civil Society and Leadership
• Job ID: 88658
• Reference Number: 5257C
• Employer: University of California, Berkeley
• Partner Organization: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• Department: Haas School of Business / Center for Social Sector Leadership
• Team: Civil Society and Leadership Initiative
• Location: Los Altos, California, USA
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Salary: $78,435 to $90,000 per year
• Application Materials: Resume and cover letter
• First Review Date: September 22, 2026
• Visa Sponsorship: Not a visa opportunity

About UC Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley is one of the world’s leading public research universities. Founded in 1868, Berkeley has developed a global reputation for academic excellence, innovation, research, public service, and social impact.

The university describes its community as one built around openness, freedom, belonging, equity, and opportunity. Its faculty, students, researchers, and staff include internationally recognized scholars and leaders, and the institution has played a significant role in intellectual, economic, scientific, and social progress in California, the United States, and beyond.

For employees, Berkeley emphasizes continuous learning and professional development. Full-time staff employees receive support for professional growth, including paid professional development time and access to colleague communities and employee resource groups.

The Philanthropy Fellow position is situated within this broader environment of learning, leadership, innovation, and public impact.

About the Haas School of Business

The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business is the academic home supporting this fellowship partnership. Haas is known for a culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, leadership, and continuous learning.

The school’s workplace culture is organized around four defining leadership principles:

1. Question the Status Quo
2. Confidence Without Attitude
3. Students Always
4. Beyond Yourself

These principles are particularly relevant to the Philanthropy Fellow role because the position requires someone who can think strategically, work collaboratively, approach complex social challenges with curiosity, and contribute to initiatives designed to strengthen civil society.

Haas also supports flexible working arrangements, although specific arrangements depend on the responsibilities of each role and are determined in partnership with supervisors.

About the David and Lucile Packard Foundation

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation was established in 1964 by David and Lucile Packard. The Foundation works with people and communities to develop enduring solutions that contribute to just societies and a healthy, resilient natural world.

Over the years, the Foundation has supported organizations and leaders working across a range of important areas, including:

• Science
• Ocean and land conservation
• Climate change
• Women’s reproductive health and rights
• Children, families, and communities
• Civil society
• Social justice
• Community well-being

The Foundation’s work involves partnerships with organizations and leaders in the United States and internationally.

For someone seeking to build a career in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, international development, or social impact, the opportunity provides exposure to how a major philanthropic institution works with grantees, partners, experts, and other stakeholders to address complex societal challenges.

About the Civil Society and Leadership Initiative

The Philanthropy Fellow will work within the Foundation’s Civil Society and Leadership (CSL) Initiative.

The Packard Foundation’s strategic framework recognizes civil society as an important component of achieving its broader goals and contributing to a just society. The CSL Initiative therefore focuses on strengthening civil society organizations, supporting resilient civil society ecosystems, and promoting a safe and thriving civic space.

The initiative operates under the Foundation’s Just Societies goal while supporting work connected to the Foundation’s other major goals and geographic areas of operation.

This makes the fellowship particularly relevant to professionals interested in questions surrounding:

• Civil society development
• Nonprofit organizations
• Civic space
• Social justice
• Philanthropy
• Organizational resilience
• Strategic grantmaking
• Public policy
• Community development
• Social impact
• Evaluation and learning
• International development

What Is the UC Berkeley–Packard Foundation Philanthropy Fellowship?

The partnership between UC Berkeley and the Packard Foundation is designed to strengthen the future of philanthropy and civil society by introducing recent graduates and emerging professionals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

The fellowship has two major objectives.

1. Developing the next generation of philanthropic leaders

The program provides participants with professional-level exposure to philanthropy and nonprofit work. Through direct involvement in Foundation activities, the Fellow can develop knowledge and skills that may support a future career in philanthropy, civil society, nonprofit leadership, social impact, policy, research, or related fields.

2. Bringing fresh perspectives to the Packard Foundation

The partnership also allows the Foundation to benefit from new ideas, skills, experiences, and perspectives brought by the Fellows.

The selected Fellow will join a cohort of four other fellows working across different Foundation areas, including environment and science, families and communities, and global reproductive health.

The fellowship cohort will participate in quarterly activities, creating additional opportunities for learning, collaboration, networking, and professional development.

Where Will the Fellow Work?

The Fellow will be based at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California.

The Foundation currently uses a hybrid work schedule, with staff attending the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The position therefore combines professional experience within a major philanthropic organization with the resources and support of UC Berkeley’s Center for Social Sector Leadership.

Key Responsibilities of the Philanthropy Fellow

The selected Fellow will have a broad range of responsibilities involving research, evaluation, strategy, grantmaking, project management, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, and professional learning.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

The Fellow will support CSL’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.

This may include:

• Supporting research projects
• Coordinating internal learning processes
• Contributing to evaluation activities
• Helping the team assess progress
• Supporting strategic reflection
• Contributing to the Foundation’s mid-strategy reflection for 2027–2028

This responsibility makes research, analytical thinking, organization, and the ability to interpret evidence particularly important.

2. Strategy Development and Implementation

The Fellow will work with the CSL team to help inform and refine organizational strategy.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting research
• Analyzing relevant information
• Supporting strategic discussions
• Facilitating team deliberations
• Identifying relevant trends and issues
• Contributing research that informs decision-making

The role therefore requires more than administrative ability. Applicants should be comfortable examining complex issues, identifying relevant evidence, synthesizing information, and communicating findings clearly.

3. Grantmaking Support

The Fellow will work with a Program Officer and Program Associate to support grantmaking within a CSL portfolio.

This provides an opportunity to gain practical exposure to how philanthropic organizations identify priorities, engage with organizations, develop grant-related materials, and support initiatives designed to strengthen civil society.

4. Project and Event Management

The Fellow will project-manage important initiatives and events for the CSL team.

Examples include supporting strategy sessions held during organizational retreats.

This requires strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple activities, deadlines, people, and deliverables.

5. Knowledge Management

Knowledge management is another important component of the position.

The Fellow will help maintain and improve the team’s knowledge-management infrastructure and identify efficient ways to store and analyze different types of information and data.

Applicants should therefore be comfortable working with information systems, organizing knowledge, identifying patterns, and developing streamlined processes.

6. Support for Program Officers

The Fellow will provide support to relevant program officers.

This can include:

• Preparing materials for meetings
• Preparing meeting agendas
• Supporting grantee meetings
• Supporting field convenings
• Participating in meetings with grantees
• Participating in site visits
• Preparing meeting summaries
• Managing follow-up actions
• Supporting other program-related activities

These responsibilities require strong written communication, attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work professionally with different stakeholders.

7. Stakeholder Engagement

The Fellow may interact with a broad range of individuals and organizations, including:

• Foundation program staff
• Evaluation staff
• Grantees
• Funding partners
• Government agencies
• Content experts
• Civil society organizations
• Other relevant partners

This exposure can provide valuable insight into how strategic philanthropy operates in practice.

8. Travel and Conferences

The role may involve travel to meet new and existing partners and to participate in conferences relevant to the Civil Society and Leadership Initiative and the Fellow’s professional development goals.

This means the position may provide opportunities to learn directly from organizations, practitioners, experts, and other professionals working in civil society and philanthropy.

9. Foundation-Wide and University Activities

The Fellow will also participate in Foundation-wide activities that are relevant to their work and professional objectives.

They will have opportunities to engage with both University and Foundation communities and participate in professional development opportunities related to their responsibilities.

10. Professional Learning and Growth

Professional development is an important part of the position.

The Fellow is expected to contribute positively to a team environment that promotes belonging and collaboration and to demonstrate the Haas School of Business leadership principles.

The successful candidate will also be expected to complete required training and take advantage of relevant learning opportunities.

Professional Development Benefits

One of the distinctive features of this opportunity is the professional development support attached to the fellowship.

The Fellow will receive support from the Center for Social Sector Leadership at UC Berkeley, including context about the philanthropic sector, access to resources, and personal coaching and supervision.

The fellowship also includes a professional development budget.

This budget can support activities such as:

• Attending conferences related to philanthropy
• Participating in civil society conferences
• Taking relevant workshops
• Attending seminars
• Receiving professional career coaching
• Developing specific skills
• Building knowledge relevant to future career objectives

For early-career professionals, this additional development component can make the role particularly valuable because the position is designed not only around immediate responsibilities but also around long-term leadership development.

Required Qualifications

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a combination of education, professional experience, analytical ability, communication skills, and knowledge of civil society.

Educational and professional experience

Candidates should have:

• At least two to three years of experience and/or graduate-level education in a related field.
• At least two years of experience working in a full-time professional position.
• A bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalent experience and training.
• Experience working in civil society organizations.

The wording of the requirements means applicants should carefully demonstrate how their education and professional background relate to civil society, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, research, public policy, social impact, or another relevant field.

Strategic thinking and research

Candidates should be strong strategic thinkers and researchers.

They should be able to:

• Conduct research
• Analyze information
• Understand studies
• Interpret complex material
• Identify relevant evidence
• Synthesize findings
• Apply research to practical decision-making

Understanding of civil society

Applicants should demonstrate awareness of current threats and challenges facing civil society.

This may include understanding issues affecting nonprofit organizations, civic space, social movements, community organizations, institutional resilience, governance, or other factors influencing the ability of civil society actors to operate effectively.

Knowledge management

Applicants should have experience or demonstrated ability in developing systems and practices for effective knowledge management.

This is important because the position involves working with multiple types of information and helping the team store, organize, retrieve, and analyze knowledge efficiently.

Communication skills

Excellent communication skills are required.

Applicants should be able to:

• Write clearly
• Communicate complex ideas
• Structure analysis
• Synthesize information
• Prepare reports
• Present findings
• Communicate effectively with different stakeholders

Both oral and written communication are emphasized in the job description.

Interpersonal and teamwork skills

The role involves collaboration with Foundation staff, grantees, government agencies, experts, funding partners, and other stakeholders.

Applicants therefore need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Initiative and project management

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong initiative and be capable of managing multiple tasks and projects across diverse subject areas.

The role involves balancing research, grantmaking support, meetings, events, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, and professional development.

Judgment and decision-making

Candidates should be comfortable operating in ambiguous situations.

The position requires the ability to use judgment, make sound decisions, and move projects forward even when complete information may not be available.

Responsible use of artificial intelligence

Another notable requirement is the ability to creatively and ethically use artificial intelligence to support strategy and learning.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to demonstrate that they understand how AI can be used responsibly to improve research, analysis, knowledge management, learning, and strategic work while maintaining appropriate ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but are not listed as mandatory requirements.

Experience strengthening civil society

Applicants with experience working in organizations focused on strengthening civil society, enabling conditions, or threats affecting civil society may be particularly competitive.

International experience

Experience working internationally is preferred.

This could be especially relevant for applicants who have worked across countries, regions, international organizations, global nonprofits, development institutions, or cross-border civil society initiatives.

Language skills

High proficiency in conversational Spanish, French, or Bahasa Indonesian is preferred.

Applicants who possess one or more of these language skills should highlight them clearly in their application materials.

Graduate-level education

Graduate-level education or comparable experience in areas such as:

• International development
• Public policy
• Public health
• Social science
• Law
• Related disciplines

is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

The position is a 100% full-time career position, requiring approximately 40 hours per week.

The budgeted annual salary range is:

$78,435 to $90,000 per year.

The position is also eligible for UC Benefits.

The exact salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on factors including qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, internal equity, and other organizational considerations.

The University notes that it is not typical for an individual to be offered compensation at or near the top of the posted range.

Is This a Visa Opportunity?

No.

The job description explicitly states:

This is not a visa opportunity.

International applicants should therefore carefully consider their existing authorization and eligibility to work in the United States before applying.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit:

1. A resume
2. A cover letter

Because the position emphasizes research, strategic thinking, civil society experience, communication, and professional judgment, applicants should ensure that their application materials clearly demonstrate these areas rather than simply listing general duties.

A strong application should make it easy for the hiring team to see the connection between the applicant’s background and the responsibilities of the Philanthropy Fellow position.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Candidates interested in this opportunity can consider emphasizing the following areas in their resume and cover letter:

Demonstrate civil society experience

Clearly explain your experience with civil society organizations, nonprofits, community organizations, social-impact initiatives, advocacy organizations, or related institutions.

Show research and analytical ability

Rather than simply stating that you have research skills, provide evidence of situations where you conducted research, analyzed information, synthesized findings, or supported strategic decisions.

Highlight strategic thinking

Explain how your work has contributed to strategy development, planning, organizational improvement, program design, evaluation, or decision-making.

Emphasize communication

The role requires outstanding written and oral communication. Highlight experience preparing reports, research documents, presentations, briefing materials, meeting summaries, strategic documents, or other professional communications.

Explain your project-management experience

Show how you have coordinated multiple tasks, projects, meetings, events, stakeholders, or deadlines.

Highlight knowledge management

If you have created information-management systems, databases, documentation processes, digital repositories, research libraries, reporting systems, or organizational knowledge systems, make these achievements visible in your application.

Demonstrate responsible AI use

Applicants should be prepared to explain practical examples of how they have used AI ethically to improve research, learning, analysis, communication, or strategy.

Connect your goals to philanthropy

Because the fellowship is designed to introduce emerging leaders to philanthropy and civil society, applicants should clearly communicate why they want to develop a career in these areas and how the fellowship fits into their longer-term professional goals.

Background Check and Other Employment Conditions

The position is designated as requiring fingerprinting and a background check because of the nature of its responsibilities.

UC Berkeley states that it hires individuals with conviction histories and reviews such information in the context of the responsibilities of the position. Employment may be made contingent upon successfully completing the required background check.

The final candidate who accepts a conditional offer will also be required to disclose certain misconduct-related matters, including specified administrative or judicial decisions, allegations, proceedings, investigations, or appeals involving misconduct within the applicable seven-year period.

The job is also covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the University of California Regents for RP.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.

This means applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to consider the opportunity provided they meet the stated qualifications and employment requirements.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly suitable for professionals and emerging leaders who want to build or strengthen careers in areas such as:

• Philanthropy
• Civil society
• Nonprofit management
• Social impact
• International development
• Public policy
• Public health
• Social sciences
• Law
• Research and evaluation
• Strategic grantmaking
• Community development
• Organizational learning
• Civic space and civil society resilience

The position is especially relevant to candidates who already have professional experience in civil society organizations and who can demonstrate strong research, analytical, communication, interpersonal, project-management, and strategic-thinking abilities.

APPLY HERE

Eligibility by Country and Continent

The job description does not specify a restricted list of countries or continents from which applicants may apply.

However, there is an important geographic and immigration consideration: the position is based in California, United States, and the employer explicitly states that this is not a visa opportunity.

Therefore, applicants from different countries may potentially submit an application if they otherwise meet the requirements, but international candidates should independently ensure that they already have the necessary legal authorization to work in the United States.

The employer’s equal opportunity statement also indicates that qualified applicants are considered without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and other protected characteristics.

Deadline and Application Review Date

The job posting lists the First Review Date as September 22, 2026.

Applicants should therefore aim to submit their applications before September 22, 2026 to ensure they are considered during the initial review period.

The job description does not provide a conventional final application deadline in the information supplied. For that reason, September 22, 2026 should be treated as the key date stated in the announcement.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

The UC Berkeley–Packard Foundation Philanthropy Fellow position combines several elements that can be valuable for someone developing a career in the social-impact sector.

First, the Fellow gains direct exposure to a major philanthropic foundation and its grantmaking activities.

Second, the position combines practical work with structured professional development.

Third, the Fellow receives support from UC Berkeley’s Center for Social Sector Leadership.

Fourth, the role provides exposure to research, monitoring and evaluation, strategy, grantmaking, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, and civil society issues.

Finally, joining a cohort of other fellows creates an additional environment for peer learning and professional networking.

Visit HERE to learn more about the UC Berkeley–Packard Foundation Philanthropy Fellow 2026.

Conclusion

The UC Berkeley–Packard Foundation Philanthropy Fellow, Civil Society and Leadership opportunity is a significant professional opportunity for candidates interested in the intersection of philanthropy, civil society, nonprofit organizations, strategic grantmaking, research, and social impact.

Based at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos, California, the successful candidate will contribute to meaningful work involving strategy, monitoring and evaluation, grantmaking, research, knowledge management, project management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational learning.

The position offers a full-time salary of $78,435 to $90,000 per year, UC benefits, professional coaching, a professional development budget, conference and training opportunities, and exposure to both the Foundation and UC Berkeley communities.

Candidates should pay close attention to the experience and skills requirements, particularly the emphasis on civil society experience, strategic research, knowledge management, communication, teamwork, initiative, judgment, and ethical use of AI.

The first review date is September 22, 2026, so qualified candidates should prepare their resume and cover letter and submit their applications as early as possible. International candidates should also note that the position is explicitly not a visa opportunity and should confirm their existing U.S. work authorization before applying.

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