Social Impact Fellow

Fellowship Program Purpose & Goals

At Full Circle Strategies, our fellowship program is designed as a structured training ground that bridges the gap between academic experience and real-world professional execution.

Many students are trained to complete assignments, but not yet trained to operate as professionals in dynamic, fast-paced environments. This program is intentionally structured to develop that capability.

We focus on building the following core competencies:

• Navigating Ambiguity & Working Without Over-Structure
  Fellows learn how to operate effectively when directions are not fully defined, thereby building confidence in their decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Verbal Communication & Executive Presence
  While academic writing is often emphasized, fellows will develop strong business writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with senior leaders, clients, and partners.
• Consulting & Strategic Thinking
  Fellows are trained to think and operate as consultants, and to evolve from executing tasks as consultants to becoming strategic advisors (strategists).

Firm Description

Full Circle Strategies, LLC (FCS) is a Washington, D.C.-based social impact consulting firm that operates as both a strategic advisor and execution partner for companies.

At FCS, social impact does not mean community service or volunteerism. Instead, it refers to the intentional alignment of business strategy with societal impact, helping companies engage communities, navigate complex social and political environments, and build initiatives that drive both business outcomes and meaningful change.

In addition to social impact strategy, we also support executives through thought leadership development. Thought leadership is the process of positioning leaders as credible, forward-thinking voices in their industry or on key issues. This includes shaping perspectives, crafting narratives, and creating strategic visibility through speaking engagements, written content, partnerships, and public-facing moments that influence conversations and decision-making.

We are not a traditional qualitative or quantitative research firm. While we may leverage insights to inform strategy, we do not position ourselves as a data collection or analytics service provider.

We are also not a policy think tank and do not engage in lobbying work, as we are not registered lobbyists. Instead, we provide government affairs strategic advising and execute public affairs work informed by public policy without serving as policy writers.

Our work is structured through defined client engagements, typically ranging from a few weeks to six months or longer, where we are embedded within a specific team, initiative, or leadership group.

We primarily work with, but not limited to:

• Publicly traded corporations
• Venture-backed startups
• Fortune 200 and 500 companies
• Private Foundations 

While we have taken on nonprofit clients, the majority of our work with nonprofits is from the standpoint of them serving as key stakeholders within broader client engagements.

Our strategic advisement work spans, but is not limited to:

• Government Affairs 
• Public Affairs
• Entertainment, Television, and Film Campaign Activations
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
• Crisis Communications
• Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

A key differentiator of our firm is that our strategies translate into activations, both virtual and in-person. We do not stop at recommendations; we bring strategies to life through execution.

These activations may include:

• Curated events and experiences (screenings, roundtables, convenings)
• Stakeholder engagement with key leaders and institutions
• On-the-ground or virtual campaigns tied to broader initiatives
• Strategic moments that drive visibility, conversation, and measurable impact

We are highly hands-on and execution-driven. We actively build, manage, and implement alongside our clients, often carrying work from initial concept through final activation.

Our Leadership Values

1. Make an Impact: Strive to make a meaningful, lasting impact on communities
2. Strength in Diversity: Reflect the combined power of individual experiences and differences.
3. Excellence is Our Standard: We set new standards of performance, work hard to attain them, and then aim even higher.
4. A Full Circle Approach: Deliver strategy that strengthens clients and transforms communities.
5. Always Learning and Excellence: Constantly curious, pursuing growth to set new performance standards.
6. Honor Balance: Value impactful work as one element of a fulfilling, balanced life. 

Fellowship Cycles & Dates

Fellowship dates are non-negotiable due to required onboarding, training, and closeout procedures.

• Spring 2027: January 4, 2027 – May 14, 2027
  • Application Opens: October 5, 2026 
  • Applications Close: October 19, 2026 

Fellowship Program Summary

This fellowship is designed for current undergraduate and graduate students or individuals transitioning from their degree into the next phase of their academic or professional journey. The Social Impact Fellow supports consultants across client engagements and internal initiatives in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment. The Social Impact Fellow supports consultants across client engagements and internal initiatives in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment.

At FCS, each client engagement is structured as a client account. Fellows are staffed directly onto these accounts and are expected to contribute meaningfully to the work.

• Each fellow is assigned a minimum of 2 client accounts
• Fellows may be assigned up to 3 client accounts maximum

What the Role Actually Looks Like:
This is not a traditional internship experience where fellows are completing purely administrative or clerical tasks (e.g., running errands or getting coffee). While operational support is part of any professional environment, fellows at FCS are integrated into the core of client work.

Fellows work in tandem with consultants and strategists, contributing directly to the development of strategy and deliverables. This includes:

• Co-leading meetings with consultants and strategists for clients and partners
• Participating in the development of client strategies and campaign concepts
• Supporting the creation of presentations, briefings, and strategic materials
• Contributing ideas and perspectives during internal discussions
• Assisting in shaping activation concepts and execution plans

Fellows are not passive observers; they are expected to engage, think critically, and contribute. This structure is intentional and designed to provide real exposure to how consulting and strategy work is done in practice.

Responsibilities

Fellows will:

• Support client projects and campaign execution
• Draft, edit, and proofread written materials
• Conduct research to inform strategy
• Monitor media, policy, and industry trends
• Build contact lists and support outreach
• Assist with scheduling internal and client meetings
• Support virtual and in-person activations

Work Structure & Scheduling Expectations

Each fellow receives an individualized schedule created by Fellowship Coordinators, taking into account:

• Class schedules
• Work commitments
• Extracurricular activities

Scheduling Guidelines

• Fellows working before class will be scheduled to end at least 30 minutes before class begins
• Fellows returning after class will resume work no earlier than 30 minutes after class ends

Daily Schedule Variability

Work hours will vary by day based on availability and business needs.

•  For example: Monday: 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. EST
•  For example: Tuesday: 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. EST, then 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. EST

Schedules are intentionally flexible but structured. Fellows will not be scheduled for single-hour work blocks.

Weekly Distribution Expectations

• Fellows must be able to complete the bulk of their hours Monday through Thursday.
• Work is aligned with business needs and client priorities

Time Commitment Requirements

• Minimum: 25 core hours per week
• Additional: Up to 5 floating hours (as needed, during or outside business hours)
• Total: Up to 30 hours per week

This fellowship is not asynchronous. Fellows must actively work during assigned business hours.

Travel Expectations

Fellows are expected to travel if needed, based on client and business needs.

• Estimated travel: 1–3%
• Travel may include client activations or CEO engagements

Work Modality & Eligibility

• Fellowship is primarily remote, with select in-person expectations. Fellows are not expected to work from the FCS D.C. office space. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be able to work the required hours for the fellowship cycle
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must be physically residing in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship

Compensation

Fellows receive a fixed total stipend of $2,000, distributed in biweekly installments throughout the program.

How to Apply

All application materials must be submitted via our Google Form before the deadline for the fellowship cycle. Google Form: https://forms.gle/YdQFJeXwpq5txHHa6

Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• References (3 references minimum required)
  • First & Last Name
  • Title & Affilation
  • Relationship to You 
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address 

Cover Letter Requirement:
Clearly indicate the cycle you are applying for:

• Spring 2027 Social Impact Fellowship

Subject Line Format:
First Name Last Name, [Summer/Fall/Spring] [Year] FCS Social Impact Fellowship Application

Application Deadline:
Midnight, October 19, 2026 

Questions? Contact: 

fellowship@thefullcirclestrategy.com