Looking to expand or start your career in Early Childhood Education and the Nonprofit sector in Northeast Ohio, but don’t know where to start?
Starting Point and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) are proud to offer the Billie Osborne-Fears Fellowship to an up and coming professional looking to make a career in our sector.
At the end of the two-year program, Fellows will have quality job experience and the skills necessary to join the next generation of leaders to innovate and secure the future of early childhood. They will also earn an all-expenses paid Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at CWRU.
Throughout the two-year program (2026-2028), Fellows will:
- Get paid an annual salary stipend of $55,000, including benefits and a generous professional development and travel stipend.
- Report to Starting Point’s Cleveland-based headquarters on a hybrid-remote work schedule (Zip 44103).
- Earn an all-expenses paid Certificate in Nonprofit Management | Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences | Case Western Reserve University
- Be mentored by a Starting Point leader who will connect Fellows with subject matter experts and networking opportunities.
- Get hands-on experience with a wide range of projects that include program development and administration, human resources, fundraising, and policy advocacy.
Who can apply?
We’re looking for applicants with the drive to impact their community in a positive way. The Fellowship is a great opportunity for individuals early to mid-career or with no work experience. We encourage anyone with an interest to apply, but the following may help your application:
- A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field
- Experience in or passion for the Early Childhood Education sector
- Good communication skills, integrity, and a life-long learner.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates will be contacted according to the current recruitment timeline, which aligns with the academic calendar at CWRU to ensure a cohesive start to the Nonprofit Management Certificate program.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
1. Application Letter explaining your reason for applying:
- Past experiences and education that led you to this point
- What you hope to gain from the Fellowship experience
- How you want to use the Fellowship experience to build your leadership skills and use them to have an impact in the early childhood sector.
2. Detailed Resume
3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your potential as aleader in the early childhood field. The letters may be from:
- A faculty member in your undergraduate or graduate program.
- A supervisor or colleague from an early childhood work setting or another setting.
- Another individual who has observed your leadership potential in another setting: educational, volunteer, sorority, religious organization etc.
