Encore Fellows are individuals who seek to transition from midlife careers to encore careers, bringing and applying significant transferable skills and experience to achieve sustained impact for social purpose organizations. They participate in paid, time-limited (six to 12 months), high-impact work assignments with nonprofit organizations or public agencies.

Elements of an Encore Fellowship

• High-impact work – Clearly defined, capacity-building work at a social purpose organization that significantly advances the organization's mission and impact
• Use of skills and experience – Application of professional, management or executive-level skills and experience to high-value, social purpose work
• Compensation – Reasonable compensation for a prestigious transitional and exploratory work experience with significant personal meaning. Compensation levels will depend on local community and market conditions but may include wages, consulting fees, a stipend or living allowance, health insurance or other benefits.
• Flexibility and structure – Flexibility and a degree of work autonomy that takes into account both organizational needs and individual circumstances
• Fellowship length – A fellowship duration (one year, part time, is recommended) that ensures the fellow has time to achieve results for the nonprofit and to develop expertise in the social sector
• Learning – Integration of the work experience, peer networking, access to outside experts and resources into a comprehensive learning program that advances the fellow’s knowledge and enriches the experience in the social sector
• Networking – Connections with other fellows and nonprofit leaders to share learning and increase access to encore career opportunities
• Encore pathway – Access to job search information and resources, coaching and other services to help frame the fellow experience and line up expertise with encore career goals
• Connections with other fellows – Opportunities to interact with peers who are also making the transition to encore careers

Selection Considerations

A discerning process that includes fellow recruitment, selection and matching involves the work host, program operator and sponsors, such as corporations. Considerations for becoming a fellow include:

• Area of expertise – Skills and abilities to advance the work and impact of the nonprofit
• Commitment – Demonstrated interest or previous involvement in nonprofit or community work
• Adaptability and readiness – Inclination for making the switch from the corporate to nonprofit sector
• Suitability and match – Strong fit between the fellow's skills and his or her personal goals and the nonprofit's mission, culture, organizational structure and staff
• Interest in an encore career – Strong interest in pursuing social purpose work beyond the Encore Fellowship