Stanton Fellowship
Current Status:
Next cycle will open in 2026
For any inquiries, please reach out to admin@durfee.org.
Eligibility
Individual candidates for this program should:
- Be a resident of Los Angeles County
- Be an outstanding thought leader with a demonstrated track record for at least 7 years in the nonprofit sector and government, as well as artists, movement leaders, and social entrepreneurs
- Be in a position to influence peers, policymakers and/or the general public
- Desire to participate in a cross-disciplinary network of leaders
- Present a clearly articulated proposal to work on a complex issue over a two-year period
- Develop a plan for devoting a minimum of three months over the two-year fellowship period to the project, in increments of no less than two weeks at a time
- Need financial assistance to underwrite the project
- Commit to participating in three overnight retreats and quarterly day-long meetings over a two-year period
- Not have access already to professional opportunities for research or inquiry
Review Criteria
The Stanton review panel will consider each application in light of these questions:
Is this the right person?
- Is the candidate a thought leader in his/her field and widely recognized?
- Is the candidate a “go-to” leader around the proposed inquiry topic?
- Is the candidate open to experimentation, and pursuing new and unexpected paths within the inquiry in a nonlinear fashion?
- Does the candidate have a platform and network for learning and dissemination of knowledge? (leadership position at an agency, influential community presence, media voice, etc.)
- Is there evidence that the candidate will be able to break away from the day-to-day and honor the program requirement to take blocks of time of not less than two weeks?
- Would the candidate be an engaged participant in the peer cohort, interested in sharing information, and learning from others?
- Does the candidate lack access to opportunities for research and inquiry? For example, a tenure-track professor or student at a university would not be eligible because they have access to research and inquiry. While we recognize that research funding is always in demand, the Stanton Fellowship is designed for leaders who typically do not have access to these opportunities.
Is this the right inquiry?
- Will the proposed inquiry have direct impact on Los Angeles?
- Has the candidate clearly articulated an inquiry that addresses a complex challenge?
- Does the candidate have a clearly articulated plan for initiating the inquiry?
- Does the proposed inquiry break new ground?
- Is the work plan sufficiently sketched out to be feasible in the Stanton time frame?
- Has the candidate given adequate thought to how s/he will expend Stanton resources and his/her time?
Is this the right time?
- Is the applicant at the right point in his/her career for a Stanton inquiry?
- Is there urgency around the proposed inquiry? Do external circumstances suggest that this topic should be pursued now
- Will the candidate’s schedule and circumstances be stable for the fellowship? If a candidate anticipates a professional transition in the near future she/he should not apply.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an example of a Stanton Fellowship inquiry?
There is no one model. Project implementation, strategic planning for your organization, evaluations of existing programs, supporting the launch of a pilot program that has already been designed, or investment in a project already underway are not appropriate activities for a Stanton proposal.
Stanton Fellowship inquiries vary depending on the subject area on which they are focused. However, Stanton program presumes that the inquiry will leverage the candidates expertise to advance the needs in the field. Please look at the descriptions of past fellowships, which can be found by clicking on the profiles. However, the Stanton Program presumes that the inquiry will be substantially different from the candidate’s day-to-day work, and that the goal is to advance the needs of the field.
What are appropriate uses of the Stanton Funds?
In addition to covering three months of salary and benefits, Stanton funds may be used for things like auxiliary space rental, research assistants, research materials, travel, translation services, conference fees, convening, facilitators, personal retreats, stipends for external collaborators, and meals for meetings. Funds may not be used for personal living expenses or stipends for staff members.
Do I have to be in a full-time paid leadership position to apply?
No. Stanton Fellowships are open to changemakers in the nonprofit sector and government, as well as artists, movement leaders, and social entrepreneurs. If you are currently employed, you should apply in that capacity.
How are the Stanton Fellows selected?
Fellows are selected by a review panel of past Stanton Fellows, along with Durfee trustees and staff. They use the review criteria and aim to create a vibrant, cross-sector cohort.
What expectations does the Foundation have about the Fellows’ outcomes?
The program is focused on inquiry rather than project implementation. Outcomes may be unknown, and the foundation does not expect one individual to solve a major challenge facing Los Angeles within two years. The goal is for fellows to ask critical questions, advance ideas, expand their practice, deepen community roots, and share lessons learned so the broader field can benefit.
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