To recognize the pioneering work of Triangle Community Foundation’s founding President, its Board created the Shannon St. John Fellowship in 2009. From 2009 until 2020, this Fellowship was a summer program geared towards current or recent graduate students. Recent past Fellows are now employed by the Democracy Fund, the Office of the Governor, Families Together, and Chatham County Partnership for Children.
In 2021, the Foundation will be transitioning the Fellowship program to a two-year, comprehensive position aimed at introducing new and recent graduates to the field of philanthropy.
Overview and Eligibility
The Shannon St. John Philanthropy Fellow is a two-year, comprehensive position that will allow recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience across different departments at the Foundation, including Community Engagement, Marketing and Communications, and Donor Development and Engagement. Fellows will have the opportunity to work with the Foundation’s Impact Areas, donors, policies and storytelling and will finish the program with a broad view of philanthropy and a significant portfolio of skills and experiences to carry into their next opportunity.
Applicants must be within 2 years of Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree completion and have graduated from a North Carolina college or university (Triangle-area preferred).
Key Responsibilities
Year 1
Work primarily with the Community Engagement and Marketing & Communications Departments, in the following ways:
- Work closely with Program Officers to support Impact Area grants, including:
- Application and evaluation creation
- Supporting Program Staff and nonprofits during the application period
- Participate in initial grant evaluation
- Support and train Grant Advisory Committees
- Serve as a liaison for community-based partnerships aligned with career interests
- Create Nonprofit Insight and Issue Reports, as requested by Donor Engagement, with support from relevant Program Officer
- Assist with content creation in various mediums (written, visual, audiovisual)
- Participate in review of data analytics and communications planning
- Assist with coordination, planning, and execution of community-focused events
Year 2
In addition to continuing a support role with the Community Engagement Department, Fellows will work with the Donor Development & Engagement Department to support and engage the Foundation’s current, prospective, and legacy fundholders and assist with donor-focused systems, strategies, and campaigns.
Position Requirements
- Commitment to the Foundation's goals and mission
- Interest in learning about philanthropy and/or the nonprofit sector
- Bachelor’s degree
- Good interpersonal skills, including the ability and willingness to work closely with other colleagues as a team
- Strong writing ability
- Strong customer service mentality and commitment to professionalism
- Strong organizational skills and ability to organize work to meet deadlines
- Flexibility; able to adjust activities and priorities and take on new responsibilities
- Dependability
- Willingness to seek out and accept feedback
The Fellow will be compensated with an annual salary of $42,000 plus comprehensive health benefits and retirement contributions.
This is a 2-year position that will begin in July 2021 and continue for 24 months. The Foundation is committed to the professional growth of the Fellow during and after their term of employment.
Evaluation Criteria
Foundation staff will be working with an advisory committee made up of former Shannon St. John Fellows to select candidates for interviews. In reviewing Fellowship applications, the Foundation will use the following evaluation criteria:
1) Meets overall goals of program
- Increase representation of minority populations in philanthropy
- Introduce new graduates to a field they may not have previously considered
- Offer a stable employment opportunity to new graduates, especially those without access to generational wealth and family supports
2) Clearly articulates why they want a career in philanthropy and/or nonprofit sector
3) Clearly demonstrates writing ability and attention to detail
4) Demonstrates a connection to the Triangle
Information Sessions
An information session was held on February 17, 2021. View the recording here.
Important Dates
Applications Due: March 1
First-Round Interviews: Mid-late April
Finalist Interviews: Early-mid May
Fellow Begins: July 2021