Building a Legacy of Future Leaders

Founded by philanthropists David and Linda Stein, the Stein Fellowship is a year-long immersive leadership and mentorship experience designed to prepare young professionals for philanthropic leadership. The fellowship is committed to developing high-performing leaders who have shown a commitment to philanthropy, improving our community and a desire to grow professionally through mentorship.

United Way believes leadership development is a critical strategy for the long-term stability and continued success of Northeast Florida and the communities within.

About the Program

The Fellowship Program is a year-long immersive leadership and mentorship experience. Each fall, a Stein Fellow cohort is selected through an extensive application, interview and recommendation process. Each Fellow is paired with an Achievers For Life (AFL) middle-school student for mentorship through the calendar school year. In turn, a member of United Way’s most prestigious giving society, the Tocqueville Society, is matched with a Stein Fellow to further develop and hone professional skills and cultivate relationships toward their shared goal of giving back.

The fellowship is framed within the context of David and Linda Stein’s desire to build a stronger community through multi-generational relationships and by using United Way’s core values and creating a legacy of leaders in our community. It is focused on identifying, engaging and developing a diverse group of young professionals who have a desire to prepare for success through a philanthropic lens.

Who are the Fellows?

• High-caliber emerging or mid-career leaders with demonstrated commitment to philanthropy, a love for their community and a passion for progress.
• Full-time residence of Northeast Florida.
• Two years’ experience in their current industry.
• People, process and project managers.
• Thought-leaders with flexibility to meet weekly with their assigned mentee and monthly with their Tocqueville Soicety mentor.

Upon graduation, participants join a global and robust community of tight-knit young professionals who are committed to their community and their philanthropic passions.

Example Program Outline

• Mentor and fellow meet and greet
• Stein Fellowship Celebration and Graduation
• Meet Your Founders social
• 4 Stein Fellowship learning exchanges:
  • Full Service School Tour/ volunteer projects
  • Poverty Simulation
  • Community Impact Panel 1
  • Community Impact Panel 2

• 1 day (8 hour) leadership summit
• 2 cultivation socials
• Stein Fellow alumni event
• Weekly 1-hour mentoring sessions with assigned AFL student at selected school
• Monthly scheduled mentoring sessions with Tocqueville Society mentor

Fellowship Commitment and Expectations

Upon acceptance of the fellowship, all fellows will receive a calendar of events for the upcoming year. It is the expectation that since these dates have been shared ahead of time, this should allow for minimal absences throughout the program.

• All applicants should be available to commit to a weekly two-hour mentoring session
• Any absence from a weekly scheduled AFL school visit without prior notification is grounds for termination of fellowship.
• Any event absence is grounds for termination of the fellowship. (One absence during the program is permitted with prior notification.)
• All applicants must be members of United Way’s Atlantic Circle young professionals group (annual commitment of $500). Donate now or through your workplace campaign.
• Applicants must be age 20-40 years old.

Fellowship Application Requirement and Process

A selection committee of Stein Fellowship alumni and Tocqueville Society members will review applications. All applicants are requested to do the following:

1. Fill out and submit the online application (2023 application coming soon). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
2. Submit a current resume.
3. Submit video message answering the following question in two minutes or less: “How can civic engagement improve racial equity?”
4. Submit a letter of recommendation from current employer on employer’s letterhead and contact information for referral (if employed less than 6 months).
5. Submit a letter of personal recommendation from a coworker or previous manager (non-family) with personal contact information for referral.
6. A minimum gift or pledge of $500, serving as membership into Atlantic Circle young professionals group. Gift or pledge must be directed to United Way’s Community Impact Fund and must be exclusive of corporate match programs. You can give through your employer’s United Way corporate campaign or online. Recurring gifts (weekly, monthly or quarterly) are permitted as long as $500 is paid in full by the end of the fellowship year (graduation).