Fellowship

About the Job

Position Title: Fellow

Reports to: Vice President of Leadership and Fellowship Program Officer

Job Classification: Full-time, non-exempt, 40 hours per week, occasional overtime

Fellowship Duration: 22 months, July 2026 – May 2028

Compensation: $23.50/hour ($48,880 annually)

Start Date: July 20, 2026

Job composition: Hands-on Foundation program coordination responsibilities; considerable professional development training and experiences included in full-time schedule

About the Foundation

Founded in 1937 with a mission to enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado, El Pomar Foundation is one of the oldest and largest private foundations in the state, contributing over $25 million annually in grants and programs to support Colorado nonprofits. Employees at El Pomar are part of a culture that seeks to help empower communities and individuals to make meaningful collective impact. We are committed to our RITE values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

Fellowship Role Description

El Pomar's 22-month paid Fellowship program is designed for recent college graduates and early-career professionals. Fellows work full-time for the Foundation, spending their time supporting programs and grant making work while participating in a comprehensive professional development curriculum.

Giving future leaders an opportunity to grow and learn how to lead is critical to the long-term success of organizations in Colorado. In 1991, El Pomar created its Fellowship program to support the pipeline of leaders in our state.

The Fellowship serves as a dynamic environment where emerging professionals gain hands-on work experience, test their skills, and grow through real-world challenges. Fellows obtain invaluable learning opportunities and networking through direct exposure to Colorado's philanthropic and nonprofit arenas, targeted professional development, peer management, program oversight, and connection with an engaged network of more than 300 Fellowship alumni. It's a combination of building the next generation of Colorado's leaders and accelerating their career trajectories.

1st Year Fellows begin their journey by focusing on mastering the core duties and responsibilities essential to the role. In their 2nd year, Fellows take on expanded responsibilities that include supporting onboarding efforts, contributing to team collaboration, and serving as experienced resources for incoming 1st Year Fellows and Interns. These opportunities allow 2nd Year Fellows to deepen their professional development and leadership skills. All Fellows are supported by Foundation staff, the Fellowship Program Manager, and report to the Vice President of Leadership and the Fellowship Program Officer.

The Fellowship is a launching pad for professional growth, offering immersive leadership development and meaningful exposure to the nonprofit sector, equipping Fellows for impactful careers across diverse fields. Successful applicants for this highly competitive opportunity demonstrate a strong record of community engagement, leadership experience, and academic excellence.

As part of the Fellowship experience, Fellows participate in a Colorado Outward Bound School River or Mountain course, which provides the opportunity to deepen cohort relationships and challenge themselves to stretch beyond their comfort zone.

This is a full-time on-site Fellowship role located in the Greater Colorado Springs Area.

More details about the Fellowship can be found at www.elpomar.org/Fellowship

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in El Pomar's programs and perform tasks, including but not limited to: marketing and communications; event planning and coordination; project management; meeting facilitation; assistance with budget development and monitoring; writing reports and grant summaries; and participating in strategic planning and program evaluation.
• Serve as a point of contact and support staff for at least one of El Pomar's 11 Regional Partnership Councils, which are responsible for the strategic management of $250,000 in annual Council grant recommendations.
• Conduct research, schedule, facilitate, and prepare materials and minutes for Council meetings.
• Build relationships with nonprofit organizations along with community and business leaders through outreach, speaker series, externships, and site visits.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with grantees, council members, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Review and analyze grant applications, write grant summaries, present grant requests, and provide recommendations to the Board of Trustees under the supervision of Foundation staff and the Grants Office.
• Represent El Pomar Foundation at community events and programs throughout Colorado.
• Other administrative duties assigned based on the Foundation's needs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a commitment to serving the people of Colorado
• Have a bachelor’s degree by the start date
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment and balance multiple demands and deliverables
• Be able to work in a professional manner with the public and honor the Foundation’s RITE values (Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence)
• Ability to travel throughout the state of Colorado on official Foundation business
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

To Apply

Applications will open on November 3, 2025 and closes on January 8, 2026

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Click on Apply now at www.elpomar.org/Fellowship or on the El Pomar Fellowship listing on the Careers page at www.elpomar.org/contact-us/career-opportunities

Comprehensive Benefits

Paid Time Off

• Vacation, health and wellness, floater days (with roll-over options); All major holidays; FMLA; 80 hours administrative paid time off for post-Fellowship career planning

403(b)

• Immediate upon employment; generous match after one year of employment

Medical, Dental, Vision and Accident Insurance

• Foundation pays 95% of medical, dental and vision premium for employee and their dependent(s)
• Foundation pays 100% of cost for AFLAC and Identity Theft Protection

Other Insurance

• 100% employer paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• 100% employer paid Long Term Disability Insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to get reimbursed for qualified medical and dental expenses or childcare funds
• Up to $3,050 for medical and dental and up to $5,000 for dependent care per year
• $610 roll-over permitted

Childcare Benefit

• After six months of service, eligible for daycare assistance for employee's dependent child or children under the age of 5 and living with the employee. Reimbursed for 30% of the daycare fee paid to a qualified, licensed daycare provider with a maximum monthly benefit of $500.

Continued Education/Tuition Reimbursement

• The Foundation values the skills and abilities of our employees. To maintain and improve those skills, we offer educational benefits for memberships in employment related professional societies or associations, and to attend employment related local, regional or national trainings, seminars and meetings.
• Fellowship employees with at least six months of service may be reimbursed for undergraduate or graduate academic course work that maintains or improves job related skills or is in the Foundation's areas of interest. 100% reimbursement of tuition at Colorado public universities or 50% of tuition at Colorado private universities for up to six academic hours per semester (must maintain a B or higher grade to receive reimbursement. Reimbursement for up to $500 per semester for books, supplies, and/or parking pass (considered a taxable event to the employee).
• The Foundation provides up to $2,000 a year ($1,000 Jan-June and $1,000 July-Dec) for participation in a pre-approved certificate program that may or may not be job related (considered a taxable event to the employee).
• Support for GRE, LSAT, and graduate school exams and preparation (one-time test and up to $300).

Other Benefits

• 100% employer paid AAA membership
• Hybrid work schedule (remote work is allowed for up to two days per week), based on supervisor approval.