The Morgridge Acceleration Program

• New Profit
  Collective Impact Boston, Massachusetts

  Challenge: Leverage the insights, learnings, and policy recommendations from proximate workforce entrepreneurs and workers for the sector as a whole.

  Gimme More: For the Future of Work Grand Challenge, an initiative of New Profit, catalyzing systems change within the workforce sector is the ultimate goal. Workforce system today and the labor market of tomorrow, left unimpeded, will leave millions of workers behind. The path towards an equitable future of work means the adoption of proximate expertise, the centering of worker voice, and uplifting inclusivity into workforce development practices. It also means listening to the recommendations of the people who know this work better than anyone else – the entrepreneurs who are solving the very problems they themselves have faced. A key component of New Profit’s larger goal of instilling equity into the workforce system involves scaling insights surfaced from proximate workforce entrepreneurs and workers as best practices.

  

  Mentor

  Dr. Angela Jackson

  Dr. Angela Jackson leads New Profit’s Future of Work Initiative, which seeks to close the career-readiness gap for Americans from low-income backgrounds. She also launched a $6 million Future of Work Grand Challenge in 2020, powered by XPRIZE and MIT Solve. Angela’s career started in the private sector leading business development for organizations like Viacom and Nokia. Then, she founded the Global Language Project to transform how we prepare students to succeed in a global economy and workforce. Most recently, Angela completed a doctorate in educational leadership at Harvard University. Her work and writing has been featured in CNN, Huffington Post, and Harvard Business Review.

  

  Fellow

  Jaylen Hackett

  Jaylen Hackett is a Masters in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from The University of Southern Mississippi. During his time at Southern Miss, he became a community advocate for students from low income backgrounds. He was also a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Congressional intern and completed the Public Policy International Affairs Junior Summer Institute. Previously, he completed his Teach For America fellowship as a Middle School Math Teacher and worked at the Jersey City Housing Authority to revamp summer camps. This past summer, Jaylen served as a Summer Associate at Robin Hood Foundation supporting educational technology efforts across New York City. He then worked with the Policy Team and supported the Grant Readiness Insights Training program.

• The COMMIT Foundation
  Data Communication Bozeman, Montana

  Challenge: Analyze data and create a comprehensive framework that allows The COMMIT Foundation to tell their stories of leading and informing military transitions—no matter where or how they happen.

  Gimme More: The COMMIT Foundation seeks to provide high-touch transition support that becomes the standard nationwide so veterans in all communities can access services, helping them identify their passions, build strong networks, and leverage their skills in civilian careers. By showing impact in a data supported and creative way, the COMMIT Foundation will more deeply engage the ecosystem (mentors, stakeholder, donors, community partners, and others) and recruit a more diverse pool of program participants.

  

  Mentor

  Dr. Amy Taft

  Dr. Amy Taft is the senior director of education at The COMMIT Foundation. Dr. Taft has almost ten years of experience in military transition training and several years of experience in workforce development training. She has a strong background in adult online learning and curriculum development and uses this knowledge to advance the learning environment to drive people towards success. Dr. Taft was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Bush Institute Veteran Stand to Leadership program and worked with the Institute for Veteran and Military Families and the USMC Marine for Life program. Dr. Taft has a master’s of education with an emphasis on curriculum and learning from Liberty University and a doctorate of education from Liberty University.

  

  Fellow

  Sally Rowland

  Sally Rowland grew up in Connecticut and attended Wake Forest University, where she majored in Finance and minored in Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise. Following graduation, Sally received the Fulbright Scholarship and worked in South Africa for one year at a business and commerce high school, where she focused on managing community partnerships, building the school’s innovation capacity, and implementing technology into the classroom. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s in Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and is the Career Services Manager at a squash and education organization that works to expand opportunities for young people growing up in low-income communities.

• Brink Literacy Project
  Podcasting Denver, Colorado

  Challenge: Create a comprehensive content and marketing strategy to help Brink’s brand-new literary show make a splash in the podcast community.

  Gimme More: By curating a podcast that invites the biggest names in literature to both tell gorgeous stories and showcase the personalities behind their bestselling works, we’re creating an exciting platform to elevate Brink’s nonprofit mission. This challenge will act as the compass for this innovative step forward, carving a path for a podcast to build nonprofit brand awareness, reach enough listeners to open sponsorships opportunities, and—most importantly—allow Brink to stay on the cutting edge of elevating the voices of people living on the brink.

  

  Mentor

  Dani Hedlund

  Dani Hedlund founded Brink Literacy Project at the age of nineteen to champion new and diverse stories. She is the editor-in-chief of Brink’s critically-acclaimed publication, F(r)iction, one of the fastest growing literary magazines in the world. She travels the globe, working to increase literacy rates, empower underserved communities through storytelling, and elevate their stories into the national conversation in order to spur large-scale cultural and political change. Dani studied at the University of Oxford and the University of Northern Colorado, holding degrees in English language and literature, philosophy, and mathematics.

  

  Fellow

  Victoria Bruick

  Victoria Bruick is a freelance marketer and producer with a passion for education and supporting the work of nonprofit organizations. She helps experts and educators create accessible digital content to reach their audiences through podcasts, live virtual events, email, and more. Currently, she is co-host and producer of the podcast Book Club with Julia & Victoria and producer of The Pandemic Parenting Podcast. Victoria earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Music from Valparaiso University where she was selected for the J.S. Kemper Foundation’s business leadership program and was awarded a Calling and Purpose in Society (CAPS) Fellowship. As a writer, her poetry has been published by The Academy of American Poets and in Indiana’s Best Emerging Poets (Z Publishing). Victoria enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, being outside, and trying local bakeries and breweries. 

• MIT Solve
  Data Analysis Boston, Massachusetts

  Challenge: Propose new strategies rooted in available data to better tailor core and investment programming to elevate the best solutions and innovators working to solve the world’s most pressing problems.

  Gimme more: MIT Solve has a wealth of data on the status of entrepreneurship globally. Understanding the data that they have will help to: 1) better refine the organization’s selection criteria and position MIT Solve as the preeminent marketplace for social impact innovation in the world, 2) better refine their Solver program to accelerate the growth of Solver teams, 3) better direct their philanthropic investment capital toward scalable solutions, and 4) help them to ‘coach-up’ all Solver teams to ensure that they are supporting under-networked and under-represented founders to promote entrepreneurship regardless of background.

  

  Mentor

  Pooja Wagh

  Pooja Wagh is Director of Community Operations & Impact and Health Community Lead at MIT Solve. Pooja came to Solve in 2017 with over a decade of experience in international development, program evaluation, and data analysis in the private and nonprofit sectors. As Director of Community Operations & Impact, Pooja designs and oversees many of Solve’s core operations, including selecting Solver teams, implementing the Solver support program, engaging Solve’s Member community, and measuring the results of Solver teams’ work and the impact of the partnerships Solve brokers. As the Health Community Lead, she develops and nurtures relationships with Solve’s health-focused Members and Solver teams, and works with them to drive forward promising, innovative solutions to pressing challenges in the health and wellness space. Pooja holds a Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelors in electrical engineering from MIT.

  

  Fellow

  Billy Huang

  Billy Huang is a biologist-turned-entrepreneur born and raised in New York City. Growing up in a low-income and first-generation household and as a person with a disability, he is passionate about addressing intersectional issues related to poverty, health, and access to economic opportunity. Most recently, Billy created a startup based around improving social determinants of health with an emphasis on housing and homelessness. Billy has also collaborated with researchers at Yale and Rutgers on studies at the intersections between technology, mental health, and homelessness. Complementing his professional work, Billy advocates for disability rights at the municipal level by chairing the New Haven Commission on Disabilities and at the national level through the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. He holds Bachelor degrees in biology and history from MIT as well as an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

• Firefly Autism
  Partnerships Denver, Colorado

  Challenge: Chart a path to establish strategic partnerships with local universities to design an in-person program that could change the landscape of applied behavior analysis (ABA) education in Colorado.

  Gimme More: An ABA education program hosted by local universities would allow Firefly to create a pathway for students to complete an internship within the organization, fulfilling practicum requirements beneath a board certified behavioral analyst (BCBA) and negating the need for an additional two years of supervised work after graduation. This would allow graduates to begin practicing immediately once they have passed their boards and receive their certifications, creating a more streamlined entry for new BCBAs in the field.

  

  Mentor

  Jesse Ogas

  Jesse Ogas is the CEO and executive director of Firefly Autism. In these roles, Jesse has increased outreach and autism treatment to previously underserved Latino and Black communities. He has acted in performances and served on the board of Su Teatro, a cultural and performing arts center that seeks to advance mutual respect for other cultures and establish avenues where all cultures may come together. He serves on the boards of many charities, including Clinica Tepeyac. He was appointed by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock to the Mental Health Center of Denver Board and the Mayor’s Latino Commission, where he served for six years as a liaison to Mayor Hancock on issues that impact the Latino community in Denver. Jesse was named the 2021 9NEWS Leader of the Year.

  

  Fellow

  Bethany Thorne

  Beth Thorne is the Chief of Staff at Project Rousseau, a role she has held since 2016. Beth also serves as Chief of Staff at the ACH Charitable Foundation. Previously, Beth has experience as a consultant with the Center of Public Research and Leadership at Columbia Law School. Here, she advised a leading charter school network on its mental health strategy and a higher education institution on a student leadership development initiative. Beth graduated top of her class from Oxford University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences and holds a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University‘s School of International and Public Affairs.

• Colorado State University System
  Fundraising Denver, Colorado

  Challenge: Design a fundraising strategy for Colorado State University (CSU) Spur, opening in Denver this January, that builds on existing work with their campuses, creates clear processes and policies, and identifies potential funding sources for their various public-facing outreach and educational programs.

  Gimme More: The fundraising plan will create long-term strategies and structure, will help align development efforts across all three CSU campuses (CSU, CSU Pueblo, and CSU Global) to maximize efficiency, will put transparent policies and procedures in place, and will leverage this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with donors for the Spur campus. Funding will ultimately support programs designed to engage young people in topics and careers in STEM and the arts, and inspire Spur visitors to apply their talents to global challenges in food, water, health, and sustainability.

  

  Mentor

  Jocelyn Hittle

  Jocelyn Hittle is the assistant vice chancellor for the Colorado State University System’s emerging Spur campus, part of the north Denver redevelopment of the National Western Center. She oversees the design, construction, and program development of the new campus, which focuses on inspiring life-long learners around topics of food, water, health, and sustainability. Previously, Jocelyn worked as the associate director of PlaceMatters and with the Orton Family Foundation. Jocelyn sits on the board of Groundwork Denver and on the Coors Western Art Advisory Committee, and she is part of the Urban Land Institute Sustainable Development Council and Colorado ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative. She has a degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton, an MBA from Colorado State University, and a master’s in environmental management from Yale’s Environment School.

  

  Fellow

  Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier

  Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier has over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has raised a total of $4 million for over 50 organizations. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership and runs a nonprofit consulting firm, AQP Consulting. A Nashville native, she has been at the forefront of issues such as the affordable housing crisis, transit referendum and the city’s urban planning and infrastructure design through the creation of Nashville’s first art park. A sought-after DEI practitioner, she is a vocal advocate for gender parity, closing the wage gap, and ending the motherhood penalty. She has earned accolades such as Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30, NBJ’s 40 Under 40, Diversity MBA’s Top 100 Under 50 Executive Leaders, and the National Association of Female Executives’ 2019 Rising Star. 

• Getting Out Staying Out
  Program Strategy New York, New York

  Challenge:  Propose recruitment and retention strategies for Getting Out Staying Out that are informed by the lived experience of young people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system in New York City.

  Gimme More: Getting Out Staying Out offers programming on an individual therapeutic model administered by licensed social workers, which has made expansion to serve more participants difficult to design. They have also found that their participants’ needs may not be entirely met in their current model. By better understanding the experience of the population they serve, they will be able to expand their offerings to reach more young people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system in New York City.

  

  Mentor

  Dr. Jocelynne Rainey

  As president & CEO of Getting Out and Staying Out, Dr. Jocelynne Rainey oversees programming that has helped more than 10,000 young men access education, achieve and secure meaningful employment since its advent over 16 years ago. Before GOSO, Dr. Rainey was executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC). A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Dr. Rainey holds a master’s in administration from Metropolitan College and a doctorate in leadership from St. John Fisher College. She is a member of the New York City Workforce Development Board, a trustee of the New York College of Technology Foundation Board and trustee of the Mark Morris Dance Group.

  

  Fellow

  Nicole Jones

  Born and raised in the Mile High City, Nicole Jones is a program administrator for youth and family services with the DEDO NEST division of the City and County of Denver. Previously, she spent seven years as a secondary science educator, team lead for culture and equity, a multiple sports coach and school counselor with Denver Public Schools. Nicole balances organizational objectives and productive relationships, strategizing and recommending ways in which to achieve a thriving community for all. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lane College and her master’s degree in Psychology from New York University with a focus in school counseling and mental health/trauma. She currently serves on the Denver Mayor’s Youth Commission as a commissioner for youth violence prevention. Nicole is a wife and the mother of 2 beautiful daughters and 2 awesome bonus sons.

• Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
  Policy Denver, Colorado

  Challenge: Create a framework to evaluate the scientific merit of policy issues that a legislator could use to make better informed decisions.

  Gimme More: Established in 2018, the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science aims for science to become a second-nature consideration in public discourse and policy making. To do this, there is a need to create practical yet ambitious solutions that break down science barriers for legislative decision makers. By creating a framework to evaluate the scientific merit of policy issues, it will be possible to elevate the role of the Institute in bringing solutions to policymakers and create the foundation for better informed decisions in Colorado and beyond.

  

  Mentor

  Kristan Uhlenbrock

  Kristan Uhlenbrock is the director for the Institute for Science & Policy, where her objective is to ensure science has a respected role in public discourse and policy making. Before joining the Institute, she spent a decade in Washington, D.C., in the nonprofit, think tank, and government sectors engaging in a range of science and policy challenges. She currently serves on various boards and committees, including the American Meteorological Society, United Nations Environment Program, and Science Writers Association of the Rocky Mountains, among other leadership positions. Her writing has appeared in news outlets, books, and peer-reviewed publications. She received a Master of Arts in science writing, a Master of Science in marine science, and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.

  

  Fellow

  Giselle Schmitz

  Giselle Schmitz is delighted by the ocean, and as such, focused her education, career, and hobbies on water-related topics. She currently works as a Policy Fellow for the Bronx Borough President’s Office researching the impacts of water quality and pollution on ecosystems and communities in the Bronx. She attended the University of Oregon School of Law where she studied Ocean and Coastal Law. Following law school, Giselle worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching at the Gansu University of Political Science and Law. She currently studies International Political Economy and Development at Fordham University with a concentration on Global Environmental and Resources Economics. In the upcoming year, she will gain additional experience in marine policy as a Knauss Fellow through the New York Sea Grant. In her spare time, Giselle is an avid scuba diver.

• Shedd Aquarium
  Digital Programming Chicago, Illinois

  Challenge: Provide Shedd Aquarium with a range of blue ocean strategies that can significantly scale the organization’s impact and revenue digitally, expanding its reach and learning engagements far beyond the organization’s traditional geographic reach.

  Gimme More:  In 2020, a penguin named Wellington made a huge impact, exponentially increasing Shedd Aquarium’s reach, engagement and awareness while the aquarium was closed due to COVID-19. Shedd Aquarium pivoted quickly to paid virtual programming, implementing virtual summer camps, encounters and even hosting virtual overnights. While paid digital programming has long been a part of the organization’s strategic roadmap, those efforts accelerated and shifted in the last two years. Finding effective and efficient business models to meaningfully scale similar digital programming could have a dramatic impact on the aquarium’s ability to spark compassion, curiosity, and conservation for our blue planet.

  

  Mentor

  Meghan Curran

  Meghan Curran is responsible for delivering Shedd Aquarium’s strategic plan and ambitious vision, shaping what Shedd will look like well into the future. With a proven track record for assessing and leveraging audience insight to drive brand and experience, she has played a prominent role in building and advancing Shedd’s brand and reputation over the last 20 years. Before joining Shedd, Meghan worked with the Chicago Creative Partnership. She is a past chair of the Trends Committee and a past member of the Marketing Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). She holds a Bachelor of Science in advertising from the University of Illinois.

  

  Fellow

  Megan McClendon

  Megan McClendon lives to challenge the status quo. As the Lead of Innovation at Stoked, she guides others in exploring new ideas, concepts and futures while creating boundary-pushing experiences. Previously, she led work for government, for-profit and nonprofit agencies focused on innovation for positive social impact through equity-centered design. Her work includes a design project for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s “Reinvent the Toilet” Challenge, reimagining the test ride for Trek Bicycles’ retail experience and designing exhibits for Chicago’s Harold Washington Public Library. Megan graduated from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and studied service and systems innovation at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design. Outside of work, her interests include art, baking, female entrepreneurship and being a dog mom.

• Baucus Institute at the University of Montana
  Strategic Communications Missoula, Montana

  Challenge: Position the Baucus Institute as a unique, rapidly growing, and equity-focused law and policy center that engages a diverse array of stakeholders in solving real-world challenges.

  Gimme More: While the Baucus Institute has several established programs, it is relatively new and is still working to articulate their impact. The Institute has grown rapidly over the past three years and is poised for major milestones, including the creation of a 501(c)(3) and building out a physical space at the University of Montana’s School of Law. Having an inclusive and strategic communication plan will engage potential students, donors, and other partners in their work. Articulating what they do, why it matters, and their plans for the future will also help guide the Baucus Institute to even more success for years to come.

  

  Mentor

  Mel Brittner Wells

  Mel Brittner Wells has over a decade of experience in building and sustaining nonprofit programming. She has a master’s in publishing and began her career at Literary Arts in Portland, Oregon. She primarily worked in youth programs and events, engaging thousands of people annually in literary experiences. In 2017, she Kickstarted an online apparel company, Beefcake Swimwear, which has since been featured in Forbes, BuzzFeed, Cosmopolitan, and Mashable. Now at the Baucus Institute, Wells is deploying her full Swiss Army Knife of skills to establish and grow programming that engages their current and next generation of government and nonprofit leaders.

  

  Fellow

  Ami Scherson

  Ami (ah-mee) Scherson (she/her/hers), is a Queens, NY-based Project Manager at Arts Business Collaborative, a research and technical support nonprofit with a mission to improve quality of life for people of color through the arts and STEM. Prior to that, she was the Equity in Arts Leadership Program Coordinator at Americans for the Arts, where she assisted in the development and implementation of programs to enhance the skills of emerging arts administrators underrepresented in arts leadership. In 2020, Ami co-founded mixt collective, an arts collaborative for mixed identifying individuals to celebrate, elevate, and create amongst mixed race communities and other groups. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and a minor in Business. In her freetime, Ami takes walks in her neighborhood, cooks tasty meals and cares for her 30+ plants.

• TGR Foundation
  Scale Strategy Irvine, California

  Challenge: Provide insight into where social impact is heading in the next twenty-five years to further embolden and enhance TGR Foundation in having generational impact through education.

  Gimme More: For 25 years, TGR Foundation (TGRF) has provided access and equity in education, closed opportunity gaps, and empowered underrepresented students through education. The hardships brought on by the global pandemic and ongoing social unrest have pushed TGRF to expand their thinking and enhance their offerings to better ensure they are meeting the needs of the whole student. By focusing on job readiness, career certification, and college access, TGRF is setting out to ensure that students from marginalized communities are given access and opportunity to build for themselves a meaningful, impactful career and life. How can TGRF best prepare themselves to have generational and transformational impact for the next 25 years during these uncertain, volatile, complex and ambiguous times?

   

  

  Mentor

  Michelle Kim

  Michelle Kim has served as a VP of Strategic Partnerships at TGRF for 16 years. Previously, she served as Global HR Director at Accenture, served as an advisor to Johns Hopkins University, KPCC-Southern California Public Radio and several Silicon Valley social impact firms.

  

  Fellow

  Kimaya Karnawat

  Kimaya is a Product Specialist at Instagram, where she analyzes user feedback to inform product roadmaps for the Feed and Relevance teams. Before that, she was a Product Development Specialist for Facebook Reality Labs where she managed beta testing programs and pre-release quality efforts for new devices. She spent six months managing operations for the New Product Experimentation team during the launch of an app for crowdsourced predictions, Forecast. Prior to Facebook, Kimaya worked at a consulting firm providing market research for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a major in Business Administration. Outside of work, she teaches at CorePower Yoga and hosts tea times through Tea with Strangers. A recent transplant in New York City, she enjoys exploring different cuisines and live music events.

• Jane Goodall Institute USA
  Storytelling Washington, D.C.

  Challenge: Help the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) define and articulate a thematic framework for strategic storytelling, and identify core competencies of effective storytellers.

  Gimme More: Storytelling has been a part of the DNA of Dr. Goodall’s career from the very beginning, and has been instrumental to how she and the JGI have inspired global audiences, constituents, and donors for decades. As a new global brand is launched publicly, and the institute proactively aims to align media with core brand messages, there is an opportunity for more powerful storytelling than ever before. The new brand roll out offers an opportunity to increase staff competency and confidence in their communications representing the institute.

  

  Mentor

  Shawn Sweeney

  Shawn Sweeney serves the Jane Goodall Institute USA (JGI) as associate vice president of communications and policy. Having worked for the organization since 2007, Shawn has worn many hats from youth outreach and engagement to community engagement to his current position. He’s enjoyed working with colleagues and partners around the world to help elevate the vision and impact of Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of JGI & UN Messenger of Peace, and JGI’s programs through strategic storytelling and activation with all of the organization’s audiences. Shawn graduated from the Institute for Humane Education with a master’s of education in humane education and from the College of Wooster with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

  

  Fellow

  Jessica Chriesman

  Jessica Chriesman is a nonprofit communications professional based in Birmingham, Alabama. Currently, she is the Manager of Programs and Engagement at Opportunity Alabama where she shares the stories of communities across the state. Previously, Jessica worked at Impact America as the creative lead for communications and production across the organization’s programs and locations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Filmmaking and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and in 2020 obtained an Executive Certificate in Arts and Culture Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice and National Arts Strategies. Jessica uses filmmaking to tell Southern stories through the lenses of food and culture, social justice and history, and more. Since 2015, she has had the privilege of screening in film festivals across the United States.

The MAP Fellowship: Frequently Asked Questions

• Why did MFF create the MAP Fellowship?

  MFF has long believed in the power of fresh perspectives to innovate stagnant systems. In 2020, the Foundation recognized an opportunity to usher in the next generation of social sector trailblazers by connecting them with vetted, impactful executives—and each other. What would it look like for the nonprofit leaders of tomorrow to collaborate directly with the nonprofit leaders of today? The MAP Fellowship was born.

• What was the impact of last year’s MAP Fellows?

  The impact of last year’s MAP Fellowship was unprecedented. Fellows reimagined fundraising efforts, cracked the code for rebranding age-old Institutions, and drove strategic plans that transformed entire organizations. Learn more about their impact by reading their case studies and diving into this Forbes article.

• What is the timeline for the MAP Fellowship?

  Fellow applications launch on June 8, 2021. Fellows will be selected by August 17th. The six-month program will officially start on October 1, 2021 and run through the end of March 2022.

• How many MAP Mentors and MAP Fellows are selected?

  For the second year of the MAP Fellowship, MFF will select twelve mentors and twelve fellows, which will be broken into two cohorts of six pairs. We will shape each cohort to encourage an intimate, diverse learning community that brings new perspectives and thought to each challenge.

• Is the MAP Fellowship a full-time job?

  Being a fellow is not a full-time job. It is a rigorous professional development opportunity to be completed with concurrent employment or education. Each fellow pledges to dedicate approximately 10 hours a month, or 60 hours through the duration of the program, toward tackling their challenge. Each fellow commits additional time to events and opportunities throughout the program (please see “Fellow Requirements” here.)

• What are the Fellow commitment expectations?

  We’re glad you asked! Click this link to view the full fellow expectation document.

• Is there a fee to participate in the MAP Fellowship?

  No, there is not a fee associated with the program. MFF funds all travel, meals, and accommodation expenses associated with the program for fellows and mentors. Each nonprofit will have access to up to $4,000, generously underwritten by The Rieschel Family Foundation, to allow their selected fellow to test, explore, and further innovate their work.

• How are MAP Fellows selected?

  Successful candidates will advance through two rounds of screening, with the final selection made by each mentor. As part of the application, candidates are required to provide a letter of support from their current supervisor, who agrees to their participation in the program. Due to the high volume of applicants to the program, we are unable to interview everyone who applies.

• How are MAP Mentors selected?

  MFF invites esteemed, diverse nonprofit executives to apply for a limited number of openings. In order to be selected, candidates must submit a compelling challenge their organization is facing and make the case for how a fellow can solve that problem during the six-month program.

• Do MAP Fellows need to live in the same city as their mentor?

  Fellows do not need to live in the same city as their mentor. Fellows will work remotely for the majority of their time with the program, traveling to three events throughout the program, pending CDC recommendations.

• Do MAP Fellows need to live in the United States in order to apply?

  All MAP Fellows must live in the United States and be able to travel domestically as outlined by the program.

• Is there an age requirement to be a MAP Fellow?

  In the past, fellows’ ages have ranged from 24-36. That being said, the admissions team is looking for the strongest candidates possible, no matter their age.

• I’m a student in graduate school, am I eligible to apply?

  Absolutely! Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the MAP Fellowship.

• How does the MAP Fellowship accommodate individuals with disabilities?

  MFF will provide reasonable accommodations deemed necessary to participate both in the selection process and in the program. For accommodations or feedback, please contact MFF’s Program Manager, Ash Gallegos at ash.gallegos@thinkmff.org.

• What role does MFF play throughout the program?

  The Morgridge Family Foundation will:

  • Cover all travel, meals, and accommodation expenses for mentors and fellows.
  • Provide each nonprofit up to $4,000, generously underwritten by The Rieschel Family Foundation, for their Fellow to test, explore, and further innovate their work.
  • Oversee all programming and logistics of the fellowship with the exception of the fellow site visits. While MFF funds the site visits, scheduling and logistics are the responsibility of the fellow and mentor.
  • MFF’s Program Manager will work closely with program participants throughout their collaboration, acting as a thought partner, coach, and facilitator, as necessary. 
  • MFF’s Communications Team will amplify the work of the cohort and is available to publish content as interested by each fellow and mentor. 
  • MFF’s Impact Analyst leads measurement and evaluation of the program and the impact of each Fellow.
• What happens to the MAP Mentors and MAP Fellows after the conclusion of the program?

  Fellows and mentors are life-long members of the growing MAP community. Annual convenings, virtual get-togethers, and meaningful friendships will keep the network alive. The solutions generated by each fellow are designed to be sustainable and self-sufficient, impacting their mentor’s organization long after the program concludes.

• I’m another Foundation or a nonprofit organization who is interested in learning more about the MAP Fellowship. What should I do?

  We’re glad you’re excited about the program! After you’ve read through the materials on our website, if you have additional questions or would like to have a deeper conversation please contact Ash Gallegos: ash.gallegos@thinkmff.org

Explore the Challenge

Data on rural places is notoriously hard to find and use. Without accessible data, organizations and governments in rural areas struggle to justify new initiatives and drive economic development. And because comprehensive data is unavailable, the media is often forced to rely on anecdotes when discussing rural issues, unintentionally contributing to narratives that do not reflect the full complexity of rural America.

Since its founding, CORI has sought to fill this gap, establishing itself as a leader in rural mapping and data analysis, providing previously unavailable tools and information to researchers, policymakers and other rural stakeholders. As a fast-moving organization heavily invested in on-the-ground work with rural communities, they are looking for additional capacity to create a tool identified as critical to their work to demonstrate that thriving digital economies are the key to strong rural futures.

While the exact deliverables for the MAP Project48 challenge will be announced at the competition, it will take inspiration from the BBC’s Visual and Data Journalism team with the creation of a data visualization ‘cookbook’. CORI envisions a tool that will make the process of creating clear, consistent, and high-quality visualizations that accurately reflect the organization’s brand and voice. The result? Readily available, high-quality data visualizations that meet the currently unmet needs of rural leaders, policymakers, journalists, researchers and other stakeholders invested in imagining what is possible for rural America.

MAP Project48: Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Can you tell me more about the Morgridge Family Foundation?

  Of course! The Morgridge Family Foundation (MFF) was established in 2008 by Carrie and John Morgridge. Since its inception, MFF has granted over $130 million to nonprofits with a mission to invest in leaders and organizations that are reimagining solutions to some of today’s biggest problems.

• Q: How can graduate students apply to the program? What is the application timeline?

  Only students attending graduate programs that have confirmed partnership with MAP Project48 will be invited to apply. The application process is designed to be comprehensive yet concise, taking approximately two hours to complete. The materials help the MAP selection committee understand and assess each team’s collective skillset, creative problem solving abilities, and interest in social impact. Applications will be open from early November through early December.

• Q: Can only students from data visualization programs apply?

  Teams applying to MAP Project48 must have at least one team member who is studying data visualization, data journalism, data science or data communication.

• Q: Do applicants need to be in graduate school?

  Yes. All team members must be graduate students. Undergraduate students are not eligible to participate in MAP Project48.

• Q: Is there a fee to participate in MAP Project48?

  No, there is not a fee associated with the program. MFF funds all travel, meals, and accommodation expenses associated with the program for collegiate teams.

• Q: How do I help promote the opportunity?

  The MAP Project48 team will provide visual assets and language that makes it easy to share the opportunity of MAP Project48 with graduate students at participating universities. Additionally, the MAP Project48 team will hold two virtual information sessions for selected programs to answer questions and further explain programming elements.

• Q: Who can I contact for more information?

  We’re glad you’re excited about the program! If you have additional questions or would like to have a deeper conversation, please contact Ash Gallegos: ash.gallegos@thinkmff.org