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Deadline to submit applications is Jan. 6, 2025

For 15 years, TFN’s PLACES Fellowship has given leaders in philanthropy the tools and understanding to embed the values of equity and justice in their work.

What does it mean to be a PLACES Fellow?

PLACES is an investment in your personal and professional leadership growth.

PLACES is an opportunity to expand your understanding of systemic racial, social, environmental and economic inequities and their impact on climate, culture and communities.

Participation in PLACES is a chance to forge connections with individuals who share your passion for creating positive change and driving meaningful impact through their grantmaking and community engagement practices.

A Transformative Journey

From small, rural organizations to regional grantmaking associations to large urban foundations and grantmaking intermediaries, PLACES Fellows hail from geographically and politically diverse communities across North America.

More than 200 PLACES Fellows have completed this transformative learning journey, representing a wide range of place-based grantmaking and lived and worked experiences.

They’ve cultivated strong bonds, developed individual and collective leadership skills, and have been introduced to diverse perspectives. And they have increased their understanding of the historic and systemic issues impacting communities today.

Increased Impact, Ongoing Support

Fellows also explore the role grantmakers can play in addressing community needs and supporting community building in an equitable way.

Their impact can be seen in work addressing a wide range of issues — such as the escalating climate crisis, a widening wealth gap, disaster response and recovery, the growing housing crisis, and the erosion of civil liberties.

TFN is committed to supporting Fellows in their efforts to embed equity into their grantmaking and community engagement practices. Our network will create continued learning opportunities for our PLACES Alums and their supporting organizations that will reinforce their efforts both during and beyond the fellowship.

PLACES not only benefits individual grantmakers but enriches their institutions and the field of philanthropy as a whole.

Apply now — or share this opportunity with someone who may be interested!

About the PLACES Fellowship

PLACES, which stands for Professionals Learning About Community, Equity and Sustainability, is an eight-month learning journey designed to help grantmakers embed the values and practices of environmental, economic and racial justice into their work.

Regardless of their grantmaking portfolios, PLACES Fellows are equipped with the tools needed to understand, challenge and change systemic inequities, and then translate that learning into meaningful action and impact.

Recent cohorts have addressed issues impacting disenfranchised communities, including structural racism, gender justice, health equity, environmental sustainability, economic development and community engagement — asking difficult questions and exploring uncomfortable truths along the way.

Apply for TFN’s 2025 PLACES Cohort if you are looking to:

  • Expand your understanding of systemic racial, social and economic inequities and their impacts on policy, culture, communities and climate.
  • Acquire the tools and resources to embed the values of equity and justice in your work as a grantmaker.
  • Explore and challenge your own biases and blind spots, regardless of your background, about who you are and how you create change.
  • Forge deep connections with other leaders in philanthropy who are deeply committed to shared learning and collaboration.
  • Invest in your personal and professional leadership growth.
  • Tap into the resources and opportunities as a member of the PLACES Alum Network, including alum-only learning sessions, networking events and digital platforms.

Expectations for Fellows and Supporting Organizations:

  • TFN expects that, at the time of the first site visit, Fellows will have at least 12 months of philanthropic grantmaking experience.
  • TFN expects that Fellows will attend all PLACES site visits, participate in group calls and coaching sessions, and highly consider the TFN Annual Conference and other learning opportunities offered by the network.
  • TFN expects that the Fellow’s direct supervisor is committed to supporting the Fellow’s professional development and work in advancing more equitable practices within the supporting organization or grantmaking portfolio.
  • TFN expects that once the PLACES Fellowship ends, Fellows will continue to stay engaged with PLACES or the larger TFN community through opportunities such as working groups, issue-based steering committees, learning calls, or PLACES Alum Network activities.

Key Dates & Fellowship Fees

Key Dates

Once selected, the PLACES Cohort will have a virtual orientation as well as four in-person site visits*:

  • April 3: One-hour Virtual Orientation
  • May 13-16: Tucson, Ariz.
  • July 23-25: Saint Paul, Minn.
  • Sept. 17-19: Nashville, Tenn.
  • Nov. 12-14: Washington, D.C.

*Dates and Location subject to change

Fellowship Fees

TFN, through general operating support grants and membership dues, invests $20,000 per Fellow to support the Fellowship Cohort’s year-long learning experience. Participation fees help support the programmatic and operational costs associated with the PLACES Fellowship, including but not limited to coaching, training, speaker honoraria, facilitator fees, group meals and transportation.

TFN Members: $1,500

Non-members: $2,000

Fellows will be responsible for travel costs and hotel accommodation for site visits.

(Limited travel sponsorships will be available to offset travel costs and are subject to availability.)

PLACES Fellows will receive one complimentary registration for TFN’s annual conference following their graduation from the cohort.

Fellowship Feedback: What PLACES Alums Are Saying

→ Meet the 2024 PLACES Fellows

→ Read reflections and insights from Fellows in our Going PLACES blog series.

Some key findings from our evaluation survey shared by PLACES Alums:

  • 81% reported increasing grants to organizations led by and serving people of color.
  • 83% said PLACES help them better connect sustainability issues to racial justice.
  • 86% of surveyed alums reported advocating for more equitable practices.
  • 95% of surveyed alums said PLACES provided them with skills, tools, and resources to advance practices that promoted equity in their organization.
  • 93% of surveyed alums said PLACES provided them with skills, tools, and resources to advance practices that promoted equity in their grantmaking.
  • 92% of surveyed alums said PLACES helped them better understand the culture of white supremacy and how it shows up in philanthropy.

Questions? Email the PLACES team at places@fundersnetwork.org