WHAT IS THE ELLA FELLOWSHIP?
The ELLA Fellowship — named for social activist Ella Baker — stands for Engage, Learn, Lead and Act. It’s a year-long program offering in-depth project development experience as Fellows bring to life a meaningful, ambitious social justice project in their community.
THE GOALS OF THE FELLOWSHIP ARE TO:
-
Enhance fellows’ resourcefulness, creativity, and confidence as leaders in their community
-
Deepen their project management and presentation skills
-
Expand their portfolio as a gateway to future leadership opportunities
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Young women and gender-expansive youth ages 18 - 23, who are self-motivated, passionate, and committed individuals who want to make a change in their community. Applicants should have the ability to commit to attending monthly retreats between October 2026-May 2027 and 2-5 hours per month of individual time to plan and implement their project.
There are no academic or skill criteria for admission into our programs
HOW DO YOU APPLY?
The application cycle for the ELLA Fellowship is now OPEN.
Please refer to the Application Guide for more information on how to apply.
Application Deadline: August 7th, 2026
If you have any questions or want to learn more, we’re happy to talk. Please reach out to Charlie Ambrose at charlie@sadienash.org.
MORE INFORMATION
The fellowship runs from October to May
They meet for monthly retreats to participate in skill training and receive support from peers and SNLP staff. Retreats are generally held in person, alternating between locations in NYC and Newark.
Between retreats, Between retreats, fellows receive support from a mentor and SNLP staff to track project progress.
Fellows receive an $1,350 stipend to bring their project to life
What Do Nashers Say About It?
“Sadie Nash taught me to preserve. The program has a way of pushing you beyond what you’re comfortable with. My ELLA project hit a lot of bumps and, at first, I didn’t think I’d be able to see it through. But I learned how to strategize and follow up with people. If you want things to happen, you have to be proactive. My advice to other young women is to be open to change. If you want to do big things, don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. Those are the moments when you grow.”
— ELLA Fellow
