2021 Interfaith Innovation Fellowship Application

In a time when our country is struggling with the impacts of racial inequality and devastating and divisive pandemic, our nation needs interfaith leaders who can break barriers and build bridges across difference.  IFYC Alumni do this work throughout many sectors of society.  Thus, we are proud to support the ongoing leadership development and impact of our Alumni with the Interfaith Innovation Fellowship.  This fellowship is an opportunity for leaders to learn from each other and experts in the field of innovation.  

We are excited to expand the fellowship this year to include additional awards specifically for alumni whose projects explore the intersection of racial equity and interfaith cooperation. IFYC is committed to the transformation of America into the promise of what it can be but has not yet been. We look forward to learning with our alumni leaders focused on racial equity and interfaith cooperation.


Alumni with creative ideas for social change centered on interfaith cooperation are invited to apply for the 2020 Cohort of the Interfaith Innovation Fellowship.

If you would like to take a look at the questions that are asked in the application, you can click here.

General Application/Fellowship Timeline: 

• The application with be open until Friday, November 20, 2020 at 11:59 pm central time.
• Fellows will be selected and notified by the end of December 2020.
• The fellowship will run through  January 2021 through October 2021.
• $5,000 grants  will be awarded in February 2021.

 Fellows  will be responsible for: 

• Designing or implementing an interfaith solution to a community issue.
• Participating in five virtual calls with the cohort.
   
  • Virtual call schedule:
     
    • Thurs, Jan 21, 6-7:30 CT
    • Thursday, Feb 18, 6-7:30 CT
    • Thurs, May 6, 6-7:30 CT
    • September TBA
    • Oct TBA
• Participating in an exclusive retreat in Chicago, IL in the summer of 2021 pending travel restrictions due to Covid-19 (IFYC will cover flights, accommodations, ground transportation and meals during the retreat). Note: if an in-person retreat is not possible, we will move the sessions to virtual model. 
• Completing an individual pre- and post- fellowship survey, a mid-point reflection, and a final report.

The ideal applicant will be a self-starter who works well with limited supervision, follows through on commitments, communicates clearly, and solves problems creatively. Their proposed project will prioritize interfaith cooperation, benefit a community facing a pressing social issue, and impact people of varied religious and/or non-religious traditions.  Fellows are expected to launch their idea within the next 12-18 months.  We welcome applicants who wish to discuss if they or their projects will be a potential fit to contact Hannah Willage, by e-mail at hannahw@ifyc.org or phone at 312-533-4206.

Examples:
Please note that this is only a sampling of previous  projects and we are eager to see your innovative ideas. Use this list to guide your thinking, but not to limit it. 

Past Fellows:

• Organize a conference with teachers, administrators, and subject matter experts to explore ways to improve professional support for educators interested in teaching about religion.
• Built an outdoor interfaith chapel, classroom, and community garden with neighbors to explore the relationship between food, faith, and how we engage our environment for the common good.
• Curated a pop-up exhibit highlighting interfaith work between individuals and communities that have influenced the social and cultural landscape of LA.