fellowship

At Galaxy Gives, we recognize that the struggle of our brothers and sisters traces back to 1968, 1865, 1776, and 1619. We also understand that individuals and communities most directly impacted by mass incarceration are uniquely suited both to challenge these systems and spearhead their transformation. We believe, moreover, that transformational change grows out of the strength, clarity, wellness, and wholeness of our movement’s leaders. Guided by this belief, the Galaxy Leader Fellowship was founded in 2019 to recognize and holistically support visionary leaders – advocates, community organizers, lawyers, writers, artists, and others with unique voices and perspectives – that have demonstrated a dedication to transforming the U.S. criminal legal system.

Since its founding, the Galaxy Leader Fellowship has recognized and supported annual cohorts of extraordinary individuals across the country, enabling them to delve into their work, deepen their skills and connections, and maximize their impact in fellowship with others.  Our cohort-based model encourages and fosters the cross-pollination of ideas, and supports the individual and collective power of directly-impacted leaders to stand at the forefront of the movement to end mass incarceration.

In a country that is the leading incarcerator in the industrialized world, Galaxy Leader Fellows are recognized for their critical role questioning, confronting, and providing alternate solutions to the overly punitive policies and degrading practices that drive and sustain mass incarceration; and are together – and with others in the broader movement for change – working to create a world where we achieve safety, security, and justice without relying on punishment and banishment.

‍

Galaxy Gives is inviting nominations for its 2027 Galaxy Leader Fellowship cohort. The nomination deadline is August 1, 2026. 

We are seeking nominations for advocates, grassroots organizers, lawyers, faith-based and non-profit leaders, writers, artists, creators, and others across disciplines who are catalysts for change, and who have demonstrated a commitment dedicated to transforming our criminal legal system.

In recognition of their work,  fellows will receive:

• A one-time, unrestricted award of $150,000;
• Individual coaching, workshops, training, and access to a community of fellows and other professionals who may provide additional support for any future work the fellows might undertake

As an integral part of Galaxy Gives’s broader efforts to transform the U.S. criminal legal system, the Galaxy Leader Fellowship is a cohort-centered initiative that provides fellows with an unrestricted award of $150,000, distributed over two years ($75,000 annually), along with a host of other resources and support (including individual coaching, workshops, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning to develop and hone new skills, increase capacity, and encourage personal reflection, healing, and restoration). The Fellowship aims  to recognize the contributions of these leaders and to provide them with the time, space, and resources to delve into their passion and purpose with greater freedom, fewer constraints, and a variety of opportunities to increase their effectiveness and advance their goals..  

‍

The Galaxy Leader Fellowship recognizes and supports individuals through two tracks:

CHANGEMAKER FELLOWSHIP

Changemaker Fellows are advocates, grassroots organizers, faith-based and non-profit leaders, and others with unique perspectives who have shown a dedication to ending this country’s punitive criminal justice system. The Changemaker Fellowship recognizes the vision and value that directly impacted leaders bring to the movement, and aims to enrich and elevate their leadership in their work. While up to two individuals can be nominated jointly for the Changemaker Fellowship, joint fellowships carry a single award only.

‍

ARTMAKER FELLOWSHIP

Artmaker Fellows are artists, writers, curators, cultural organizers, and other creatives working in the visual, literary, and performing arts whose work or creative practice engages and informs new audiences, shifts narratives, and seeks to move the needle on issues that go to the heart of our nation’s overreliance on incarceration. The Artmaker Fellowship aims to mitigate the constraints that have often discouraged artists from bringing their creative vision to life. While up to three individuals can be nominated jointly for the Artmaker Fellowship, joint fellowships carry a single award only.

ELIGIBILITY

Fellowship candidates must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:Demonstrated commitment to solutions-oriented approaches to ending mass incarceration and creating a new vision of safety and justice in this country;

• Demonstrated commitment to solutions-oriented approaches to ending mass incarceration and creating a new vision of safety and justice in this country;
• Demonstrated commitment to relationship-building and collaboration;
• Work that sits in opposition to the punishment paradigm that has fueled our criminal justice system for so long;
• Permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.

‍

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION

The Galaxy Leader Fellowship prioritizes leaders who have lived experience with the criminal legal system, including people who are formerly or currently incarcerated, survivors, family members of impacted people, former system actors, and others whose lives have been directly shaped by these systems.

‍

Galaxy Gives values diversity and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or past or current involvement with the criminal legal system.

‍

SELECTION PROCESS

Fellowship candidates are assessed for: the length and depth of their commitment to their work; their track record of achievement, accomplishment and creative output; their ability to engage, lead, and move others; and the strength and depth of their connections and collaborations with others in the communities, movements, or practices of which they’re a part. A staple of the Galaxy Leader Fellowship is cohort-based engagement, so we work to discern candidates’ genuine interest in building relationships and identifying opportunities for synergistic collaboration. Our goal: to recognize and reward  a diverse cohort of directly-impacted leaders whose work has real world potential to disrupt and transform the U.S. criminal legal system.  

There are three stages to the Galaxy Leader Fellowship selection process: Nomination, Application, and Finalist interviews.

• Nomination: Program staff solicit fellowship nominations from current and past Galaxy Leader Fellows, grantee partners, colleague funders, and other stakeholders. Staff review nomination materials and identify a pool of prospective candidates based on the Fellowship’s evaluation criteria  as well as other factors that allow for representation of the full breadth of work taking place throughout the country to challenge mass incarceration.
• Application: 50 nominees will be invited to submit full applications consisting of a resume and bio, narrative of work, letters of support, and supplementary materials. 
• Finalist interviews: 25 applicants are selected to take part in the finalist interviews, which are held virtually. Interviews are conducted by multiple committees comprised of external advisors, field partners and current fellows, and Galaxy staff and board members. Committee members review application materials, hold interviews, and identify the top candidates from each committee’s slate of finalists. These candidates constitute the final selected fellowship cohort.

We are now accepting nominations for the 2027 Galaxy Leader Fellowship cohort. The nomination deadline is August 1, 2026.

If you have questions, please email GLFellowship@galaxygives.com

August 1, 2026 | Nomination deadline

September 16, 2026 | Fifty (50) nominees will be invited to submit full applications*

October 1, 2026 | Application deadline

October 15, 2026 | Twenty Five (25) finalists will be selected and invited for interviews

Nov 18 - Dec 5, 2026 | Finalist interviews

December 15, 2026 | Selected Fellows notified

February 15, 2027 | Fellowship begins