Since 2010, The Columbus Foundation has helped inspire future leaders in the nonprofit sector through its Summer Fellowship program, an immersive 10-week program for college students, recent college graduates, and graduate students. Each summer, a cohort of Summer Fellows receives hands-on experience with a local nonprofit host site, where Fellows develop their professional skills while supporting projects that benefit the central Ohio community.
2025 Summer Fellows
For Courtney Moore, a 2025 Summer Fellow who was placed with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, the program provided a valuable opportunity to put her educational experience into practice. Moore, who graduated with a Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University, said she has long been interested in a career in the nonprofit sector, which sparked her interest in the Summer Fellowship program. She was one of 13 fellows matched with area nonprofits who participated in the 2025 program.
“I wanted to do this fellowship because I really wanted the hands-on experience and to learn how to serve before learning how to lead,” explained Moore. “This program provided the opportunity to strengthen my project management skills, presentation skills, and oral and written communication skills.”
Courtney Moore, a 2025 Summer Fellow.
Through the fellowship, Moore participated in a variety of projects supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, including working closely with staff to help enhance the organization’s mentorship match system. Beyond the practical skills she acquired through the Summer Fellowship, Moore said she also gained valuable insights from others in her cohort, as well as the nonprofit leaders who met with the Fellows throughout the program.
Kenny Anderson, a 2024 Summer Fellow who was placed with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, said the program helped broaden his perspective on the many ways nonprofits serve communities. Anderson, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University before earning a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University, added that he is now applying his Fellowship experience to his current role as a legislative correspondent and staff assistant at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC.
“My experience was very multifaceted. I got to work on green infrastructure projects, travel around the central Ohio region, meet with different organizations, and work with the government affairs and economic development teams,” said Anderson. "It really exposed me to all different levels of nonprofits and government and shaped my overall perspective on public service.”
Kenny Anderson, a 2024 Summer Fellow. Photo courtesy of Kenny Anderson.
The Columbus Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Fellowship program through Monday, January 5, 2026. To qualify for the 2026 Summer Fellowship, applicants must be a college junior or senior, a May or June 2026 graduate, or a graduate student in the Fall of 2026. Applicants must also have graduated from a Franklin County high school or attend a Franklin County college or university.
The full-time fellowship starts on Monday, June 1, 2026, and ends on Friday, August 7, 2026. Summer Fellows—who receive a $6,350 stipend for their work—will be matched with nonprofit host sites based on interests, skills, and each nonprofit’s specific projects or objectives. To learn more about the Summer Fellowship program, including eligibility, the application process, and the 2026 nonprofit host sites, visit The Columbus Foundation’s website.
With her Summer Fellowship experience now behind her, Moore shared that she is excited about her future in the nonprofit sector—and she encouraged others to consider the impact they can make through a career in public service.
“My grandfather used to say, ‘If your job or your purpose is to serve, then you’ll never be out of a job,’” said Moore. “Moving forward, I hope I can take everything I’ve learned and share it with other people, serve others, and put my best foot forward.”
