The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship 2026 is an innovative 18-month leadership development program designed for changemakers committed to improving the lives of children, families, and communities. Delivered by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), the fellowship equips leaders with the knowledge, coaching, networks, and practical experience needed to drive collaborative and transformational change.
The fellowship brings together leaders from local communities and the broader child- and family-serving ecosystem, creating opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and long-term collaboration. Through immersive learning experiences, leadership coaching, and peer engagement, fellows strengthen their ability to lead inclusive and sustainable community transformation.
About the WKKF Community Leadership Network Fellowship
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship is designed to develop leaders who are committed to creating lasting positive change within their communities.
The program focuses on strengthening leadership capacity through collaboration, self-awareness, racial equity, community engagement, and systems change. Fellows work alongside diverse leaders from multiple sectors while learning practical approaches to addressing challenges affecting children and families.
The fellowship combines in-person learning, virtual sessions, leadership coaching, networking, and community-based collaboration over an 18-month period.
Fellowship Objectives
The program is built around three core pillars:
Connect
Fellows have the opportunity to:
- Connect with a diverse network of leaders from across the United States.
- Learn from professionals representing multiple sectors and communities.
- Build multicultural and cross-sector collaborations.
- Join the Global Fellows Network, which includes more than 1,200 leaders across 44 countries.
- Develop lasting professional relationships that support collaborative action and shared learning.
Grow
Throughout the fellowship, participants strengthen their leadership by:
- Developing a deeper understanding of their leadership identity.
- Increasing self-awareness and personal effectiveness.
- Learning how to engage diverse voices.
- Building skills for navigating differences and facilitating collaboration.
- Advancing knowledge of racial equity, racial healing, and collective leadership.
- Reflecting on personal growth through leadership assessments and guided journaling.
Lead
The fellowship prepares participants to:
- Lead transformational community change.
- Support children, families, and local communities.
- Apply practical leadership skills in their professional and community roles.
- Build resilient leadership through self-care practices.
- Translate classroom learning into meaningful community action.
Fellowship Experience
Participants engage in an immersive learning journey that combines leadership development with practical application.
All-Class Learning Sessions
Fellows participate in:
- Six multi-day, in-person learning sessions.
- Three virtual learning sessions.
These experiences include presentations from inspirational speakers, collaborative group discussions, and individual coaching sessions designed to deepen participants’ understanding of systems change and community leadership.
Leadership Assessments and Self-Awareness
The fellowship includes comprehensive leadership assessments that help participants better understand their strengths and leadership styles.
Working closely with professional leadership coaches, fellows receive personalized guidance while developing greater self-awareness through reflection and journaling.
Professional Leadership Coaching
Each fellow benefits from:
- Individual coaching with a Center for Creative Leadership professional coach.
- Cohort-based coaching support.
- Opportunities to engage with WKKF staff and fellowship alumni.
The coaching process helps fellows apply new leadership concepts to real-world challenges within their communities.
Peer Community Networking
Participants work in community-based cohorts to:
- Explore issues affecting their local communities.
- Practice collaborative planning and community engagement.
- Apply WKKF’s framework of cooperative planning, intelligent study, and group action.
- Develop and present collaborative projects that highlight community strengths, challenges, and opportunities for change.
Global Fellows Network
Upon completing the fellowship, participants become members of the Global Fellows Network.
The network includes more than 1,200 leaders representing 44 countries who have participated in WKKF fellowship programs over the years.
Members benefit from ongoing opportunities to:
- Build international partnerships.
- Participate in collaborative learning.
- Share innovative ideas.
- Support collective action that benefits children, families, and communities.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Established in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an independent private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.
The foundation supports lasting community change by investing in local leadership, authentic community engagement, and systems transformation that promotes opportunity and equity for all.
About the Center for Creative Leadership
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a globally recognized leadership development organization with more than five decades of experience helping leaders strengthen their effectiveness.
Since 1970, CCL has worked with over one million leaders and thousands of organizations across 160 countries, delivering research-based leadership education and executive development. As a WKKF grantee, CCL manages the Community Leadership Network Fellowship.
Why Apply?
The fellowship offers participants the opportunity to:
- Join an 18-month leadership development program.
- Receive professional one-on-one leadership coaching.
- Build a national and global professional network.
- Strengthen community engagement skills.
- Learn practical approaches to systems change.
- Advance racial equity and collaborative leadership.
- Develop lasting partnerships with leaders across sectors.
- Become part of the Global Fellows Network.
Final Thoughts
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship 2026 provides an outstanding opportunity for emerging and established community leaders to strengthen their leadership skills while working toward meaningful, long-term change for children, families, and communities. Through immersive learning, personalized coaching, collaborative networking, and practical leadership development, fellows gain the tools and relationships needed to lead transformational change within their communities and beyond.
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