Since this is a new program, we will continue to add answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to this page as the program develops and evolves.
Who are the Weinberg Fellows?
Weinberg Fellows are Hawaiʻi nonprofit executive directors who have graduated from the Weinberg Fellows Program, which was created and generously funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation over the span of 26 years (developed in 1992 in Hawaiʻi and run through 2018; a similar program was developed and run in Baltimore, Maryland for a number of years). The program was built on a philosophy that to assist disadvantaged community members who needed a helping hand to improve their circumstances, it was important to strengthen the effectiveness of the nonprofit agencies and leaders serving them. Program participants were comprised of those leading and managing social service and community-based agencies that assisted those most in need. There are more than 300 Weinberg Fellows who completed the program. Many of these Weinberg Fellows are still serving as Executive Directors in Hawaiʻi and are among the movers and shakers of our sector!
How is the HANO Fellows Program different?
The HANO Fellows Program has its roots in the Weinberg Fellows program. Staff members from Hawaiʻi Community Services Council (HANO’s predecessor organization) – Holly Henderson (founder of the Weinberg Fellows Program; Director from 1992 to 2015) and HANO – Jennifer Cornish Creed (2016 to 2018) – served as program directors for the Weinberg Fellows Program throughout the duration of the program. While the HANO Fellows Program pays homage to the Weinberg Fellows program, HANO has been able to broaden the mission focus of the cohort members beyond just health and human service-focused missions. HANO Fellows welcomes applicants from nonprofits of all missions. In addition, HANO has broadened the funding partnership that supports this program to include multiple funding partners.
Why are only first time leaders with under 5 years of experience eligible for this program?
Most emerging nonprofit executive directors (especially first time leaders who’ve served less than 2 years in their roles) spend a lot of their time “putting out fires” and trying to navigate responsibilities in areas they may not have prior experience in. Our goal is to provide early support to these executive directors and connect them to a rich network of supporters and resources so that they’re more likely to remain with their organizations, improve their organizational management practices, and become more confident, effective and strategic leaders. We feel that an investment in growing emerging leaders will create a positive ripple effect across Hawaii’s entire nonprofit ecosystem.
Note: If you’re a nonprofit leader with over 5 years of experience, HANO has other trainings and convenings that you might be interested in participating in, like It’s Lonely at the Top, our monthly virtual Zoom calls with executive directors around the state.
When will applications open for future cohorts of HANO Fellows?
To be notified when future cohorts of HANO Fellows are announced and any application period open, please opt-in to receive email notifications via this web form.