2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship: Fully Funded Support for Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners and Nonprofit Founders

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship, a fully funded venture and leadership development opportunity powered by the Watson Institute and supported by the Truist Foundation. The program is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit founders and other impact-focused leaders who are building organizations that create economic opportunity and improve the lives of underserved and underbanked communities.

The fellowship provides participants with entrepreneurship training, financial resources, expert mentorship, peer networking, pitch development, community-building opportunities and access to a long-term alumni network. Rather than simply providing financial assistance, the program is structured to help participants strengthen their organizations, improve their leadership skills, develop sustainable business models and expand their community impact.

For the 2026–2027 cohort, the program will run from March 2 to June 22, 2027, with a combination of virtual learning and in-person activities. Applicants who are selected will be expected to make a substantial time commitment throughout the 16-week program.

About the Truist Foundation Fellowship

The Truist Foundation Fellowship is powered by the Watson Institute and focuses on entrepreneurs and organizational leaders who are already working to solve real problems in their communities.

The program is particularly interested in ventures and organizations that contribute to areas such as:

• Economic development
• Small business growth
• Career pathways and economic mobility
• Financial access and opportunity
• Community development
• Support for underserved and underbanked populations
• Job creation
• Other initiatives that help communities gain greater access to resources and opportunities

The fellowship is intended for people whose ventures have progressed beyond the idea stage. Applicants should already have an operating business or organization, engaged customers, beneficiaries or clients, measurable results and some level of financial traction.

According to Watson Institute, the program is aimed at promising small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders who are developing solutions that expand economic opportunity for underserved and underbanked communities.

What the 2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship Offers

Selected fellows receive access to several forms of support throughout the program.

1. Business and Leadership Workshops

Fellows participate in approximately 16 weeks of entrepreneurship and leadership development.

The workshops are led by experienced entrepreneurs, practitioners and business leaders. Training covers areas such as:

• Business development
• Entrepreneurial leadership
• Financial literacy
• Business strategy
• Venture growth
• Organizational development
• Community impact
• Storytelling and pitching

The sessions are intended to give participants practical knowledge that they can apply directly to their businesses or organizations.

2. Financial Tools and Resources

Financial management is an important component of the fellowship.

Participants receive access to practical financial tools, frameworks and workshops designed to help them understand and strengthen the financial side of their ventures.

The program connects fellows with practitioners and specialists who can help them think more clearly about issues such as:

• Financial planning
• Revenue generation
• Business sustainability
• Funding
• Financial decision-making
• Growth planning
• Access to capital

This support can be particularly useful for founders who have already demonstrated demand for their products or services but need additional knowledge and resources to scale.

3. Expert Mentorship

Fellows have opportunities to learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs, business practitioners and other specialists.

Watson Institute refers to these experts as Preceptors. They are selected based on the expertise needed by fellows and may provide workshops, guidance and one-on-one support.

Previous Preceptors have included entrepreneurs, strategic facilitators, founder strategists, product-development experts and leadership coaches.

Through mentorship, fellows can receive guidance on challenges affecting their ventures while also gaining perspectives from people who have experience building and growing organizations.

4. Basecamp and Community Development Support

One distinctive element of the fellowship is the Basecamp requirement.

Fellows are expected to design and lead a workshop or community event for earlier-stage entrepreneurs. The aim is to share knowledge, encourage collaboration and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the communities where fellows work.

Participants receive a $1,000 Community Development Stipend to support the development and delivery of their Basecamp activities.

This means fellows are not only expected to benefit from the program themselves. They also have an opportunity to transfer knowledge and resources to other entrepreneurs in their communities.

5. Pitch Training

Participants receive dedicated pitch coaching to help them communicate their ventures more effectively.

Pitch development can help founders explain:

• The problem they are addressing
• Their proposed solution
• Their target customers or beneficiaries
• Their community impact
• Their business model
• Their growth plans
• Their financial progress
• Their future vision

The fellowship culminates in opportunities for participants to present their ventures to entrepreneurs, potential investors, corporate partners and other leaders.

6. In-Person Summit

The fellowship includes an in-person Summit as part of the program.

The Summit provides fellows with an opportunity to present their ventures, build relationships and connect with people who may be able to support their future growth.

For the 2026–2027 cohort, the in-person Summit is scheduled for June 3, 2027, with the location to be announced. A virtual Summit component is scheduled for June 22, 2027.

7. National Peer Network

Participants become part of a network of entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and other founders.

This peer community allows fellows to exchange experiences, receive feedback, identify potential collaborations and build relationships with people facing similar challenges.

The network can also remain useful after the formal fellowship ends because participants become part of the Watson Institute alumni community.

2026–2027 Fellowship Dates

The 2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship will run for approximately 16 weeks.

Key dates include:

• Priority application deadline: January 17, 2027
• Application review: Rolling basis after the priority deadline
• Final selection decisions: By February 20, 2027
• Program begins: March 2, 2027
• Virtual immersive: March 2–12, 2027
• In-person Summit: June 3, 2027
• Virtual Summit: June 22, 2027
• Program ends: June 22, 2027

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by the priority deadline because applications submitted later will continue to be considered only while available places remain.

Fellowship Time Commitment

Applicants should carefully consider the time commitment before applying.

During the program, fellows participate in virtual workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern Time, beginning in the third week.

The total expected commitment is approximately 8–10 hours per week. This includes scheduled workshops, optional meetings, Basecamp implementation and preparation for Summit activities.

The fellowship also includes mandatory immersive activities and in-person components, meaning applicants must be prepared to participate actively throughout the entire program.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is designed for established entrepreneurs and organizational leaders rather than people who are only developing a business idea.

Strong applicants are expected to demonstrate that they are already building something with real-world impact.

This may include:

• Small business owners
• Entrepreneurs
• Nonprofit founders
• Nonprofit leaders
• Community-focused organizational leaders
• Founders creating employment opportunities
• Leaders supporting small businesses
• Entrepreneurs serving underserved or underbanked communities
• Leaders working to create career pathways and economic mobility

Applicants should be able to demonstrate measurable progress and explain how their organizations are making a difference.

Business and Organization Requirements

According to the current eligibility information, the business or organization should generally:

• Have been operating for 1–5 years
• Have fewer than 10 employees
• Have engaged customers, clients or beneficiaries
• Have measurable results
• Have some financial traction
• Be working toward further growth
• Create impact in one of the fellowship’s priority geographic areas
• Address challenges affecting underserved or underbanked communities

Financial traction may come from sources such as revenue, grants, investments or donations.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide evidence and figures showing the progress of their organization.

The application asks applicants to describe their organization, development stage, customers or beneficiaries, impact metrics, funding history, revenue and future goals.

What the Application Requires

The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, although applicants may need additional time to gather accurate information about their organization.

Applicants are asked to provide information including:

• Personal details
• Country of citizenship
• Contact information
• Address
• Education
• LinkedIn profile
• Organization or business name
• Date the venture was started
• Current role in the organization
• Business or organization description
• Website
• Development stage
• Primary area of work
• Communities served
• Geographic impact
• Impact metrics
• Number of people served
• Business goals for the next one to three years
• Personal connection to the problem being addressed
• Team size
• Registration status
• Legal structure
• Sources of funding
• Total revenue or income
• Previous-year revenue or income
• Projected current-year revenue or income
• Major sources of income
• Previous accelerator or fellowship participation
• Links to additional information about the venture

The application also asks applicants to demonstrate that they understand and can meet the program’s schedule and time requirements.

How Applicants Are Evaluated

The application process is designed to identify entrepreneurs and leaders with meaningful community impact and potential for growth.

The review process includes:

Step 1: Online Application

Applicants complete the online application and provide information about themselves and their organizations.

The priority deadline is January 17, 2027.

Step 2: Application Review

Watson Institute’s Admissions Committee reviews applications and looks for entrepreneurs with innovative ventures, measurable impact and potential for further growth.

Applications received by the priority deadline receive priority consideration. Applications continue to be accepted on a rolling basis afterward until available spaces are filled.

Step 3: Interview

Shortlisted applicants are invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview.

The interview gives candidates an opportunity to discuss:

• Their entrepreneurial journey
• Their organization
• Their community impact
• Their growth plans
• Their vision
• Why they want to participate in the fellowship

Step 4: Final Selection

Final decisions are expected by February 20, 2027.

Successful applicants must confirm their enrollment before beginning the fellowship on March 2, 2027.

Priority Geographic Areas

One of the most important requirements for prospective applicants is geographic eligibility.

For the 2026–2027 fellowship, applicants must be located in and creating impact across rural or urban communities within the following areas:

Southeast

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

Mid-Atlantic

• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

South Central

• Texas

Ohio Valley

• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Ohio

Watson Institute states that applications from outside these listed geographies cannot be considered for this fellowship cycle.

Understanding the Fellowship’s Focus on Underserved Communities

The program places particular emphasis on entrepreneurs and organizations working with underserved or underbanked populations.

Watson Institute defines underserved communities broadly. This can include populations that have historically faced barriers related to factors such as race, sex, age, disability or economic circumstances.

The program also values leaders who have a close personal connection to the issues they are addressing and who have lived experience with the challenges faced by their communities.

This means applicants should not simply describe their business as socially focused. They should be able to explain the specific problem they are addressing, the people affected by that problem and the measurable difference their organization is making.

Community Impact and Growth

Applicants are asked to provide concrete evidence of their organization’s impact.

Examples of useful impact measures can include:

• Number of people served
• Number of businesses supported
• Jobs created or supported
• Economic value created
• Revenue generated
• Number of customers
• Number of beneficiaries
• Funding raised
• Other measurable community outcomes

The application specifically asks applicants to explain how their work makes a difference and to provide numbers demonstrating their progress.

Applicants should therefore avoid relying only on broad statements about their mission. Strong applications should clearly connect the organization’s activities with measurable outcomes.

Financial Information

The fellowship application also asks applicants to provide financial information about their organizations.

Applicants may need to report:

• Total revenue or income since the organization was founded
• Revenue or income during the most recently completed fiscal year
• Projected revenue or income for the current fiscal year
• Sources of income
• Grants received
• Donations
• Investment capital
• Loans
• Sales or service revenue
• Personal funding
• Other forms of financial support

The application asks applicants to provide these figures in U.S. dollars and indicate whether the figures are based on financial records, estimates or another basis.

This makes it important for applicants to have reasonably accurate financial information available before beginning the application.

In-Person Participation

Although much of the fellowship is delivered virtually, applicants should not assume that the program is entirely remote.

The fellowship includes several in-person elements, including networking and learning activities, Basecamps and an in-person Summit.

Watson Institute states that fellows may be responsible for some travel expenses and meals connected with in-person programming. There are no other program costs listed by the institute.

Applicants should therefore consider both the time commitment and potential travel requirements before accepting a place.

Why the Fellowship Can Benefit Growing Organizations

For an entrepreneur or nonprofit leader who has already demonstrated demand and impact, the program can provide support in areas that are often difficult to access independently.

The combination of business training, mentorship, financial education, peer relationships, pitch preparation and community-building activities can help participants address challenges that arise as their organizations grow.

The program can also help founders move from simply operating a venture to developing a clearer long-term strategy for expansion, sustainability and community impact.

Fellowship Alumni and Impact

The Truist Foundation Fellowship has developed a growing community of entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.

Watson Institute reports that, since 2021, the fellowship has served more than 6,846 entrepreneurs, while 103 Fellows have created 860 jobs and raised $28.4 million in capital.

Watson Institute also reports broader outcomes across its fellowship alumni network, including more than $190 million raised, more than 2,300 paid jobs created and more than 11 million people impacted through initiatives led by alumni.

These figures demonstrate the broader scale of the Watson Institute’s entrepreneurship and leadership development network.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Prospective applicants should prepare their applications around evidence rather than general statements.

Before applying, consider preparing the following:

1. A clear explanation of the problemBe specific about the problem your organization is addressing and why it matters.
2. Evidence that your solution is being usedExplain who your customers, clients or beneficiaries are and how they interact with your product, service or program.
3. Measurable resultsInclude numbers wherever possible. Explain how many people you have served, businesses supported, jobs created or other relevant outcomes achieved.
4. Financial informationHave accurate revenue, funding and income figures available.
5. A realistic growth planExplain what you want to achieve over the next one to three years and how the fellowship’s resources can help you reach those goals.
6. A personal connection to the problemThe application asks applicants to explain their personal connection to the issue they are addressing. Be prepared to discuss experiences that shaped your decision to build the organization.
7. A clear reason for applyingExplain why mentorship, training, financial resources, networking and other fellowship components are relevant to your current stage of growth.

Deadline for the 2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship

The priority application deadline is January 17, 2027.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis after the priority deadline until all available places are filled. Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final stages of the application period.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can complete the online application through the Watson Institute.

The application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, although applicants should allow additional time to gather organizational, financial and impact information.

Application: https://lnkd.in/gPVhVPVP

Applicants should review the eligibility requirements carefully before submitting their application, particularly the requirements concerning venture stage, number of employees, geographic location, community impact and ability to commit to the full program.

For more fellowship  programs  visit; https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/category/fellowship/

Conclusion

The 2026–2027 Truist Foundation Fellowship offers a structured opportunity for entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofit leaders who are already creating measurable impact and are ready to strengthen and grow their organizations.

Through business and leadership workshops, financial resources, expert mentorship, peer networking, pitch training, Basecamp activities and Summit opportunities, fellows can develop both the practical skills and relationships needed to take their ventures to the next stage.

The program is particularly suited to leaders serving underserved and underbanked communities and working in areas connected to economic development, small business growth and economic mobility.

With the priority deadline set for January 17, 2027, eligible applicants should begin preparing their organizational, financial and impact information early. Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline, submitting a complete application early can help applicants receive consideration before all fellowship places are filled.