Systems Change Fellowship

The Systems Change Fellowship offered by Social Justice Partners Los Angeles (SJPLA) is a nine-month program supporting nonprofit initiatives in Los Angeles that are led by individuals with lived experience of the systemic issues they aim to solve. SJPLA, a nonprofit organization committed to dismantling oppressive systems and advancing equity in Los Angeles, fosters transformative leadership through collaborative programming. This fellowship provides a platform for nonprofit leaders to cultivate strategy, explore liberatory practices, and expand relationships across movements for social justice. The fellowship embodies SJPLA’s belief in interdependence and collective power as the pathway to a more just and inclusive city. The 2026–27 Systems Change Fellowship targets nonprofit initiatives in their early stages or those launching new systems-change programs. The fellowship supports leaders engaging in systemic reform through strategies such as policy advocacy, narrative and cultural shifts, and power-building. To qualify, the initiative must focus on changing root causes rather than providing direct services, meaning the work should impact systemic structures, policies, and power dynamics rather than individual-level interventions like housing or food programs. Selected fellows will present at the 2027 Story of Us LA, an event that follows a ten-week narrative training program supported by SJPLA coaches and attended by hundreds of stakeholders. Fellows receive an unrestricted $10,000 grant, with potential for additional funding sourced through the SJPLA network. Beyond financial support, participants gain access to peer learning cohorts, pro-bono coaching, and SJPLA’s signature storytelling training. Their work will also benefit from exposure through SJPLA’s robust network of nonprofit leaders, donors, and funders. Importantly, the fellowship fosters an enduring community, where alumni remain connected and supported beyond their program year. Eligibility requirements for the Systems Change Fellowship include both organizational and individual criteria. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal sponsor, and they should be based in Los Angeles or have a program that significantly impacts LA County. Leaders from larger organizations can apply if their participation focuses on a new initiative with a systems change focus. The applicant must be in a leadership role, such as Executive or Program Director, with at least six months of tenure and significant decision-making authority. Additionally, the applicant must have lived experience with the issue their initiative addresses and must commit to attending all workshop dates from September 30, 2026, through May 12, 2027. The application process consists of three phases. First, applicants must submit an eligibility form by May 13, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. PT. SJPLA will then invite eligible applicants to attend one of two mandatory Applicant Workshops, either on June 10 or June 15, 2026. Final decisions and fellowship offers will be communicated by July 29, 2026. Participation in all scheduled program sessions is mandatory, with events spread across in-person and virtual formats from September 2026 through May 2027. There are no restrictions based on budget size or years of operation, making the program accessible to a broad range of initiatives. This fellowship is particularly suited to leaders seeking community, peer collaboration, and a platform to amplify their systems change work. Questions regarding the fellowship may be directed to mdominguez@sjpla.org. With eight successful cohorts and over 60 alumni, SJPLA continues to invest in leaders shaping a liberatory future for Los Angeles.