THE LEGACY

The Susan Sandler Leadership Fellowship is dedicated to continue the legacy of Susan Sandler, one of the most consequential and important social justice philanthropists of our time. Susan’s tremendous vision and tireless dedication over three decades transformed the progressive landscape and bolstered the social justice movement across this nation, leading to some of the most significant public policy advances in the past few decades. As co-chair of the Sandler Foundation, founder of the Susan Sandler Fund, and lead funder and board member of several of the nation’s most prominent nonprofit and advocacy organizations, she was ahead of the curve in building the infrastructure needed to eradicate systemic racism and build a more just and equitable multiracial society. 

Susan blazed a trail that other philanthropists would subsequently follow in her willingness to bet on the voices, leadership and organizing prowess of communities of color and marginalized groups. She saw the value of having people of color not only represented but in the forefront of strategizing for change and building political power. In particular, she recognized that high level, talented leadership is an essential asset and competency to produce success in an organization, in a movement ecosystem as in the political sphere. That foresight led her to become an early and significant investor in the careers of a wide range of social change leaders such as Linda Darling Hammond, Stacey Abrams, Tram Nguyen, Andrea Guererro and many others. She also opened doors, cultivated and helped accelerate the careers and raise the profile of some many other successful social justice advocates.

This Fellowship addresses a key goal of Susan’s life and stellar career: To grow the leadership talent, raise the leadership caliber and place leaders of color in prominent positions across the social justice ecosystem in order to eliminate racism and accelerate progressive social change. 

THE CONCEPT 

This new Fellowship will aim to offer capital, connections, capacity-building and career-accelerating opportunities to emerging and accomplished leaders of color throughout the social justice ecosystem which could catapult them to greater success, position and influence to advance progressive power. 

The Fellowship will be housed at The Amalgamated Foundation. To make a contribution to the Fellowship, go here.

THE PURPOSE

The Fellowship is shaped by the values and the lessons from Susan Sandler’s body of success, the leadership needs expressed by her grantees and partners, and a scan of existing programs. Leaders of color need to be invested in to overcome the existing roadblocks to their continued and expanded success. Among the challenges they face is unequal access to networks, interpersonal and structural bias, and a higher likelihood of operating in communities and organizations that are woefully under-resourced. 

The fellowship will provide monetary and other resources and support them in a process to get better and sharper—including strengthening leaders’ abilities to navigate challenges, develop perspective and outsight, expand their network, access coaching and other expertise to boost their skills in a way that prepares them to play a more senior level or impactful role inside of or beyond their organization. 

PROGRAM SKETCH

Target Candidates: Social justice leaders who are already ‘running’ something or have demonstrated impact, are somewhat accomplished, and are judged to have ‘next level’ potential, readiness and the drive to be exceptional. They are already in some way partnering with directly impacted communities or are in service of directly impacted communities. Specific additional criteria and selection evaluation methods to be developed. Number of recipients per year to be determined. 

Flexible Monetary Resources: The funding will afford fellows the ability to do something they normally would not be able to do within their existing responsibilities. Size of award to be determined.

Cohort model: Cohort models are generally recognized as best practice to help build a cadre of leaders within a general or defined area, build community and to maximize the impact of the programming. Design group will determine how focused or diffuse the cohort will be (e.g. issue area(s); common objectives; regional focus; sector focus), depending on review of the field, existing programs and gaps and desired impact. 

Programming: In general, the fellowship will aim for a deep investment in each fellow to help them make a ‘breakthrough’ in their work for justice. As a condition of receiving the funds, fellows will be asked to articulate what the fund will be used towards and how that helps them advance the change they seek in the world. Program components can include individual coaching or mentoring; tech or infra support; support with organizational development; programming on individual strategy development; cohort collective strategy development; other approaches to be considered and will depend on resources available.  

BUDGET

The Fellowship program will be a multi-million, multi-year initiative to seed the country with strong and effective social justice leaders over the next decade. Program costs will include program lead (and additional staff as required), fellowship awards, as well as expenses related to convenings and program administration. 

TIMELINE

Pilot year fellows selected and program launched by December 2023. 

DESIGN AND GOVERNANCE

The pilot year will involve a design committee to help inform the nomination process, selection criteria, programming, staffing structure and leadership; a Susan Sandler Fellowship advisory committee; and an invited set of partner investors. 

For additional information, contact Emi Gusukuma at emi@sandlerphillipscenter.com.