The Center for Community Investment (CCI) is accepting applications for the Fulcrum Fellowship 2026, a prestigious 13-month leadership development programme designed for experienced professionals working at the intersection of capital, policy, and community transformation. Applications close on 15 October 2026.
The fellowship brings together senior leaders who are driving meaningful change in housing, climate resilience, philanthropy, finance, creative placemaking, and community development. Through systems thinking, executive coaching, and collaborative learning, fellows develop strategies that help move investment toward community-defined priorities while strengthening their leadership capacity.
About the Fulcrum Fellowship
The Fulcrum Fellowship is an intensive leadership programme that supports professionals who already hold significant responsibility within their organisations. Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, the programme equips fellows to rethink how capital flows through communities and to design long-term solutions for equitable development.
Over 13 months, participants engage with a diverse cohort of leaders representing different sectors, geographies, and professional backgrounds. The programme combines in-person seminars, virtual coaching, and peer learning to help fellows address complex community challenges through collaborative leadership.
CCI is particularly interested in leaders working in small- and mid-sized cities and communities across the Southern United States, although applicants from a range of locations and sectors are encouraged to apply.
What the fellowship offers
Successful fellows receive access to a comprehensive leadership development experience that includes:
- Five multi-day in-person seminars in Berkeley, California
- Monthly virtual coaching and facilitated group sessions
- Personalised executive coaching
- Systems thinking and leadership development training
- Practical application of CCI’s Capital Absorption Framework
- A lifelong network of community investment leaders
The fellowship emphasises real-world problem solving, enabling participants to develop actionable strategies that can immediately benefit their organisations and communities.
Who is eligible?
The Fulcrum Fellowship is designed for experienced leaders with established careers and organisational influence. Applicants should demonstrate both leadership experience and a commitment to advancing equitable community investment.
Eligible candidates should:
- Lead strategic work with significant organisational or community impact
- Have approximately 10–15 years of professional experience in relevant fields
- Work within areas such as housing, community development, climate resilience, philanthropy, finance, creative placemaking, or shared ownership
- Demonstrate sustained commitment to advancing racial equity
- Be open to rethinking existing strategies and leadership approaches
- Be willing to participate in coaching and collaborative learning
- Obtain written endorsement from their employing organisation
- Commit to the full 13-month programme
The fellowship is intended for professionals with genuine decision-making authority who are positioned to implement meaningful change within their institutions.
Programme schedule
Fellows are expected to attend five mandatory in-person seminars in Berkeley, California on the following dates:
| Seminar | Dates |
|---|---|
| Seminar 1 | 13–15 April 2027 |
| Seminar 2 | 13–15 July 2027 |
| Seminar 3 | 26–28 October 2027 |
| Seminar 4 | 1–3 February 2028 |
| Seminar 5 | 2–4 May 2028 |
Between seminars, participants will attend monthly virtual coaching sessions and collaborative group meetings.
Why this fellowship matters
The Fulcrum Fellowship goes beyond traditional leadership training by focusing on how communities can attract, coordinate, and deploy capital more effectively. Fellows learn to analyse systems that influence investment decisions and develop strategies that generate lasting community impact.
Participants graduate with:
- Stronger strategic leadership skills
- Advanced systems thinking capabilities
- Practical tools for community investment
- Enhanced collaborative capacity
- A national network of influential changemakers
These outcomes benefit both individual fellows and the organisations they serve, creating stronger institutional capacity for equitable development.
How to strengthen an application
Competitive applicants should clearly demonstrate measurable leadership achievements and articulate a community challenge that requires innovative capital strategies. Strong applications typically include evidence of long-term impact, successful cross-sector collaboration, and a compelling vision for future community investment.
Applicants should also secure organisational support early, as written endorsement is required before joining the programme.
Application deadline
- Applications close: 15 October 2026
- Information session: 28 September 2026
Interested candidates should review the official application guide and submit their application through the Center for Community Investment before the deadline.
