CMF’s fellowship program, which is sponsored by CMF members, is designed to support emerging leaders with the experience and skills to advance their careers in the sector while making meaningful contributions to their home foundation and the larger nonprofit community.

Our current cohort of philanthropy fellows is supported and sponsored by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWJF). The cohort’s three philanthropy fellows have been embedded in the RCWJF’s program team, supporting the grantmaking activities of the foundation while receiving professional development through CMF.

As the philanthropy fellows reach the end of their fellowships, we’re celebrating their two years of contributions, exploring the work they led, what they valued most and what’s next in their professional journeys.

Sarah Truax, a CMF philanthropy fellow, supported grantmaking at RCWJF in the Caregivers and Young Adults & Working Families portfolios as well as the foundation’s Learning, Evaluation and Reporting initiatives.

“I really valued being in the fast-paced environment at RCWJF and enjoyed learning from the program officers, seeing how passionate they are in their respective programs was inspiring,” Truax said.

Truax shared that the fellowship was a great step for her to move into philanthropy and understand where she fit.

“The fellowship allowed me to explore various types of roles within philanthropy. At the beginning of the fellowship, I was able to deepen my understanding of grantmaking work while supporting the program team, and then I found my niche in learning and evaluation work. I don’t think I would’ve had that exploration otherwise. Plus, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about philanthropy across the state with CMF and its partners,” Truax said.

According to Truax, the professional development opportunities, mentor connections and engagement with the cohort have been invaluable throughout the fellowship—one of her professional development opportunities included competing in an Evaluation Capacity Case Challenge in Montreal.

“There’s an added benefit of learning alongside the other fellows–having a cohort of support as we’re engaging in the sector for the first time is tremendous. I am incredibly grateful for the many people who supported my growth throughout the fellowship.” Truax said.

As a component of their professional development support led by the consulting firm EarlyWorks, each fellow was also paired with a champion outside the foundation who mentored them during the fellowship.

“I can’t even begin to describe how impactful my champion was in guiding me and helping me navigate the next steps in my career,” Truax said.

The fellows also engaged in professional development with the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy.

“We loved our time with the Johnson Center. They were a great resource for us–helping us understand the sector at the beginning of our fellowship and providing research support as we developed and conducted our capstones,” Truax said.

The fellows recently presented the findings of their capstone projects to the CMF Board of Trustees.

The main goal of Truax’s capstone project was to understand how Limited-Life Foundations engage in learning and evaluation work.

Truax shared findings from her research of 17 limited-life foundations with various end dates. Truax found that learning and evaluation work in limited-life foundations broadly focuses on sharing the foundation’s legacy, building collaboration and partnerships, and supporting systems-wide change.

Building on the work she supported during her fellowship, Truax will be transitioning to a Learning Associate role at RCWJF.

In her new role, Truax will work closely with the senior learning officer to provide management support for evaluations and studies, coordinate foundation-wide learning activities and prepare updates and information briefings for foundation trustees and strategic partners.

“The fellowship gave me the opportunity to explore where I fit in best and where my skills are going to be most useful. Finding that in learning and evaluation has been the best part,” Truax said.

Truax has already started her new role at RCWJF. Our other philanthropy fellows are planning to transition out of their fellowships this fall.

In addition to RCWJF’s ongoing support of CMF philanthropy fellows, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation is also sponsoring CMF fellowships. The new philanthropy fellows will support the Erb Family Foundation in leveraging the work already underway in Southeast Michigan. One fellow will be embedded in the Great Lakes grantmaking program team and one will support the Arts, Sustainable Business and Environmental Health & Justice grantmaking programs.

Want more?

Learn more about CMF member-sponsored fellowships.