Fulcrum Fellowship 2026 | Leadership Fellowship for Community Investment Leaders

The Fulcrum Fellowship 2026 is now accepting applications for a 13-month leadership development programme designed for experienced leaders working to strengthen community investment, capital, policy and practice.

Organised by the Center for Community Investment (CCI), the fellowship supports leaders who are already engaged in strategic work that can help build more just and resilient communities, with particular attention to small- and mid-size cities and communities across the South.

The programme combines collaborative problem-solving, personalised coaching, systems thinking, peer learning and in-person seminars to help fellows strengthen their leadership practice and develop actionable strategies for their communities.

Applications close on October 15, 2026.

About the Fulcrum Fellowship

The Fulcrum Fellowship is designed for established leaders who have significant responsibility within their organisations and are working on challenges where access to capital can contribute to community-level change.

Over the course of 13 months, fellows will participate in a combination of in-person and virtual activities designed to strengthen their ability to develop strategies, collaborate across sectors and use capital more effectively.

The programme creates a cohort of leaders with diverse experiences, sectors, geographies and career paths.

What the Fellowship Offers

Throughout the 13-month programme, fellows participate in:

• Collaborative problem-solving
• Personalised leadership coaching
• Systems-thinking exercises
• Five multi-day in-person seminars
• Monthly virtual coaching sessions
• Group learning sessions
• Peer networking
• Leadership development
• Strategies for community investment and capital deployment

The programme is designed to connect fellows with peers who are addressing complementary challenges in different communities and sectors.

CCI’s Capital Absorption Framework

A central component of the Fulcrum Fellowship is the Center for Community Investment’s Capital Absorption Framework.

Fellows use the framework and related systems-thinking tools to better understand how capital moves through communities and how different structures influence the ability of communities to access and use capital.

Through this work, fellows develop strategies for advancing community-defined priorities and addressing systemic barriers that affect opportunity.

In-Person Seminars

Applicants should be prepared to participate in five in-person seminars in Berkeley, California.

The scheduled seminar dates are:

• April 13–15, 2027
• July 13–15, 2027
• October 26–28, 2027
• February 1–3, 2028
• May 2–4, 2028

Participation in these sessions is part of the 13-month fellowship commitment.

Experienced Faculty and Peer Learning

The fellowship is led by experienced faculty and brings together a diverse group of leaders working on community investment and related challenges.

The cohort-based structure gives participants opportunities to learn from other leaders, exchange experiences and test new approaches to leadership and capital strategy.

Fellows can also develop relationships with peers who may continue collaborating beyond the programme.

What Fellows Gain

The Fulcrum Fellowship is designed to help participants strengthen their ability to:

• Move capital toward community-defined priorities
• Apply systems-thinking approaches to complex challenges
• Develop stronger leadership strategies
• Reconsider existing approaches to community investment
• Work collaboratively across sectors
• Build relationships with other leaders
• Strengthen organisational capacity
• Develop practical strategies for community-level change

Fellows also become part of a network of leaders working to influence the broader community investment ecosystem.

What Organisations Gain

The benefits of the programme extend beyond individual fellows.

Participants can bring new leadership approaches, strategies and relationships back to their organisations.

The programme is intended to help fellows develop sharper strategies, stronger networks and leadership tools that can be applied to their organisations and communities.

Who Can Apply?

The Fulcrum Fellowship is designed for experienced leaders with meaningful authority within their organisations and a strong network of colleagues and partners with whom they can work.

Applicants should demonstrate experience and an established commitment to community-focused work.

Eligible applicants should:

Lead Strategic Work

Applicants should be leading strategic work that has meaningful importance to their organisation, community or broader field.

Demonstrate a Commitment to Racial Equity

Applicants should be committed to advancing racial equity and be able to demonstrate tangible results or sustained efforts through their work.

Have Significant Professional Experience

Applicants should have 10 to 15 years of experience working in one of the programme’s focus fields.

These include:

• Shared ownership
• Climate resilience
• Housing and community development
• Creative placemaking
• Philanthropy
• Finance

Be Willing to Rethink Existing Strategies

Fellows should be open to reconsidering and reframing existing strategies in order to accelerate progress and deepen their impact.

Develop Leadership Self-Awareness

Applicants should be interested in developing greater self-awareness and personal effectiveness as leaders.

Participate in Coaching and Peer Learning

Successful fellows should be willing to learn, give and receive coaching and actively participate in a network of diverse peers.

Commit to the Full Programme

Applicants must be able to commit to the entire 13-month programme.

The application also requires written endorsement from the applicant’s organisation.

Information Session

CCI will host an information session for prospective applicants.

Date: September 28, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET

The session will feature Fulcrum alum and CCI Executive Director Omar Carrillo Tinajero.

Interested applicants can attend to learn more about the fellowship and hear directly from programme leadership and alumni.

Application Deadline

The Fulcrum Fellowship 2026 application deadline is:

October 15, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to review the programme requirements and application materials carefully before submitting their applications.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Review the Fulcrum Fellowship programme criteria.
2. Confirm that their professional experience aligns with the fellowship requirements.
3. Review the application guide and frequently asked questions.
4. Discuss the fellowship commitment with their organisation.
5. Obtain the required organisational endorsement.
6. Prepare the application materials.
7. Submit the application before October 15, 2026.

Conclusion

The Fulcrum Fellowship 2026 provides an intensive 13-month leadership development experience for experienced community investment leaders working across areas such as housing and community development, climate resilience, finance, philanthropy, shared ownership and creative placemaking.

Through coaching, peer learning, systems thinking and five in-person seminars in Berkeley, California, fellows will have opportunities to strengthen their leadership practice and develop strategies for moving capital toward community-defined priorities.

The fellowship is intended for established leaders with significant professional experience, organisational responsibility and a demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity and community-level change.

Interested applicants should review the eligibility criteria and prepare their applications before the October 15, 2026 deadline.

Discover more on the OFY Webpage.