Jane’s Fellowship

Through Jane’s Fellowship Program, Fellows will

• Deepen leadership skills and perspectives with a variety of tools and resources.
• Foster nourishing relationships with other Fellows and broaden networks by accessing Pierce County trainers, community leaders, and graduates of JFP.
• Encourage equitable collaborations through deeper awareness and skillfulness around diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

Fellows receive training and opportunities to practice new skills and build knowledge on:

• Advancing social and racial equity and addressing systemic inequities
• Group facilitation
• Navigating conflict and difference
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Leveraging personality strengths and communication style
• Self-awareness, mindfulness, and restorative practices
• Storytelling
• Clarifying your personal mission and vision
• Deepening understanding about local histories and community challenges

Eligibility 

• Be a resident of Pierce County
• 24 years of age or older
• Able to commit to consistent participation in regularly scheduled activities for the duration of the 12-month program.

Ideal Candidate 

• Volunteers or works within Pierce County neighborhoods and communities, often without formal job titles or positional power, institutional affiliation, and structures. JFP seeks candidates who are taking action at the grassroots level, in partnership with others, to expand the quality of life in their community but may lack access to opportunities or resources to invest in their own leadership potential.
• Desires personal growth, exposure to new tools and resources to expand their leadership capacity, a larger network, and opportunities to practice self-reflection and accountability within a cohort setting.
• Demonstrates respect for differences among people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, geographic area, type of work, military service status, religion, faith or worldview.

We will recruit a class of 13-15 fellows, representing the diversity of Pierce County.

Time Commitment 

Participation is key to success of the program. Fellows commit to engage in the following during the January to December time frame:

• New Fellow Orientation (1.5 hours)
• Welcome and Kick-off Dinner (2 hours, typically in the first week of January)
• Monthly cohort gatherings: one Saturday per month (daytime) and on one weekday evening each month.
• Two, three day/two night overnight retreats (typically in January and November, replacing Saturday sessions in those months).
• Two 60-minute conversations to reflect on Fellow’s program experience​, at the mid-point and end of program.
• One 60-minute meeting to discuss results from a communication style assessment
• Occasional required readings and independent work​
• Optional social and family gatherings and peer-initiated events​
• One-to-one meetings with JFP staff as requested​
• Graduation (3 hours, typically in December)

Resources for Fellows 

• Fellows receive a stipend of $8,500 to honor their investment of time, based on fully meeting participation requirements.
• Fellows are eligible for up to $2,500 for coaching, training and educational opportunities that support their leadership development and learning goals.

About Jane 

Jane Russell was the matriarch of the Russell Family and inspiration for JFP.  Jane was a mother and businesswoman who mentored emerging leaders by supporting their drive and challenging them to grow. In 2004, The Russell Family Foundation created JFP to honor her memory and continue her investment in supporting grassroots leadership and amplifying their ability to make a difference in Pierce County.  To date, 115 people have participated in JFP.

The application period for Class 11 (running January to December 2024) is closed. We will begin recruitment for Class 12 in July 2024. Class 12 will run from January to December 2025. Please check back in summer 2024 for updates. Thanks!

Jane’s Fellowship Program operates on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples.