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Applications Closed

The fellowship space always feels very sacred and important ... We've built relationships and we've had so many powerful shared experiences ... Being able to just be and learn and listen to one another is what I've been craving from the beginning, and I just want more of this fellowship.Erika Allen, 2019-2022

The Castanea Fellowship looks for dedicated leaders ready to deepen the impact of their vision to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system. The Fellowship is for engaged leaders who are already equipped with a deep understanding of how the food system could shift in a meaningful way and have had considerable impact, yet know they could do much more. The leaders we seek are those who have demonstrated commitment to the work, understand racial equity, believe in the power of diversity, and welcome collaboration.

The Castanea Fellowship is a 18-month, awarded program that provides fellows the space, time, and resources to grow skills, connections, and community. We aim to further the work of established leaders from across the country and provide them with unique learning and skill-building opportunities.

Informational Webinar

If you've considered applying for the Castanea Fellowship or have ever wondered what the fellowship experience is like, watch this informational webinar. Current fellows and alumni share their stories and experience and Castanea staff answer questions and give an overview of the program. 

The Castanea Fellowship Experience

  • Space to build relationship and deep connection with other food justice leaders through intentional restorative spaces.
  • Four in-person gatherings to build and learn as a cohort and benefit from diverse regional perspectives and tactics.
  • Virtual programming to support emergent topics and points of collaboration; may include training in communication, finance, leadership development, organizing, and policy, among other topics.
  • Space to explore leadership challenges and growth edges, and engage in transformative practices.
  • $40,000 award to support the work and participation of Fellows.

Application Process

Applications are closed

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Application Milestones

The application timeline is below. Dates are subject to change based on volume of applications. 

Application Open
August 1, 2023
Information Webinar
August 25, 2023
Application Deadline
September 16, 2023
Application Review Process
Sep-Jan, 2023
Application Notified of Status
Jan 16, 2024
Deadline for Acceptance
Jan 23, 2024
Kickoff Gathering (online)
Jan/Feb, 2024
Fellows Announced Externally
February, 2024
First In-Person Gathering
Spring, 2024

Eligibility and Criteria

Who Are We Looking For?

We welcome established visionaries who:

  • Align with our values of racial equity, diversity, and impact.
  • Lead their field and have already demonstrated inspiring results.
  • Have experience working with communities or populations across a range of physical and cultural geographies.
  • Believe that food system change involves a multi-sector and multi-strategy approach.
  • Welcome being part of a diverse, robust, multiracial cohort.
  • Want to deepen skills in communication, finances, organizing, and/or policy.
  • Understand intersectionality of race, gender, class, ability, environmental, and health issues.
  • See themselves as constant learners and seek to be in a learning community.
  • Can commit to devoting the necessary time to be fully engaged in the fellowship.
  • Reside within the United States.

SUPPORT THE CASTANEA FELLOWSHIP

Join the numerous foundations, nonprofit, and business leaders in this multi-sector collaborative committed to shaping an equitable future for food. Grants, gifts, and individual donations are welcome.

Learn More