The Weitz Fellows Program
Carleton-exclusive opportunities for nine graduating seniors in the nonprofit sector
The Weitz Fellows Program provides one-year, full-time jobs for nine Carleton grads at nine nonprofit organizations in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. Positions are paid, include benefits and funding for professional development, and provide cross-functional, professional experience in all aspects of the fellow’s organization. This is an unparalleled opportunity for anyone interested in beginning a career in advocacy & education, arts & film, law & policy, or nonprofit management.
PROGRAM
The program has had incredible growth and made a significant impact in the Omaha and Lincoln communities. Since 2011, a total of 68 Weitz Fellows have participated in the program through fellowships at 14 non-profit organizations.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Chad Ellsworth.
Information Sessions
Positions
Advocacy & Education
- I Be Black Girl
I Be Black Girl (IBBG) is a reproductive justice organization that leads with boldness, innovation and inspiration, actively creating a radical change-making culture that centers Black women, femmes and girls. Inspired by the work of bell hooks, Audre Lorde and other Black feminists and womanists, our organization provides transformational change at the intersections of gender and race. The term “I Be,” framed by author bell hooks in Be Boy Buzz, inspired IBBG’s founder to fill spaces with what it means to exist as a Black woman, femme or girl — where we are free to define and own that narrative. - Women’s Fund of Omaha
Women’s Fund of Omaha focuses on research, grants, and advocacy around issues facing women and girls in their communities. They provide grant funding to service providers, advocate for policy change, and influence dynamic change within the community. The fellow will assist with research, policy development, communications, and donor and volunteer relations. Research areas include economic conditions, domestic violence, and challenges facing girls.
Arts & Film
- Film Streams
Nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form. The organization oversees two wonderful and distinct cinemas: the Ruth Sokolof Theater, and the historic Dundee Theater. - Joslyn Art Museum
Joslyn Art Museum was a gift to the people of Omaha from Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, George. From its first day, November 29, 1931, to today, the Museum has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world. The Joslyn’s collection of over 12,000 objects represents 5,000 years of human creativity and the world’s diverse cultures. The campus comprises three stunning buildings—distinct yet connected—surrounded by sculpture gardens. Learning and engagement opportunities abound, and general admission is free to all, always. - The Rose
For over 75 years, the Omaha Theater Company has served generations of children and families in the Omaha area. Today, adults who once passed through our doors as children in wonder now bring their own families to share in the joy that is The Rose Theater. We are proud to be an ongoing tradition for so many families and a fixture in the childhood of so many of our area’s young people. Although much has changed over the years, we remain dedicated to our mission: to enrich the lives of children and families through live theater arts and education. - The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art strengthens the cultural and social landscape of our community by using the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change. The organization was founded on the belief that the arts can be a vehicle for social justice and greater civic engagement; we strive to utilize the arts as a bridge to connect our diverse community in innovative and meaningful ways. The fellow will be immersed in all aspects of our organization including development, operations, programming, grantmaking, and community outreach and partnerships. The fellow will also work on an impactful individual project while with us.
Law & Policy
- ACLU of Nebraska
For over 50 years in Nebraska, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional and individual rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, we take up the toughest civil liberties fights. Beyond one person, party, or side — we the people dare to create a more perfect union. - Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest
Nebraska Appleseed is an advocacy organization working for justice and opportunity in Nebraska via legal, policy, and civic engagement work. They focus on economic justice, healthcare access, child welfare, immigrants, and communities. Fellows will engage in relationship building at all levels, event planning, and coordination, and will participate in creating active legislation alongside a staff of attorneys, policy specialists, and community organizers. - Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
The Nebraska Civic Engagement Table works with nonprofits across the state to increase nonpartisan civic participation and fight for a multiracial, representative democracy that works for all communities. They do this by providing direct core support, technical tools, and collaborative spaces to member nonprofits to support year-round civic engagement. Fellows will collaborate with Nebraska Table staff and members through public policy work, grassroots advocacy, and other civic engagement activities to drive change.
Fellow Highlights
The fellowship allowed me to develop research and writing skills in relation to work that is meaningful and interesting to me. My time at the Women’s Fund helped me clarify my career goals and recognize my interest in state-level public policy work. Landing in a new place without connections was really daunting, and it can still feel difficult every once in a while even in my second year here, but the support from an amazing group of colleagues and a built-in support network gave me the confidence I needed to build community in Omaha and call it home.
Natalia Tu ’21, Sociology/Anthropology, Chinese (Women’s Fund of Omaha)
My fellowship helped me to understand how nonprofits run, and what life working for a nonprofit would look like. I’m hoping to move into political marketing/communications, and working at Appleseed helped me to realize that I’m interested in a combination of writing, working with people, and using digital tools. While I loved my work at Appleseed and the policy-centered work, through that work I realized that I’m more interested in the political side of policy work. I think it’s super important for the fellowship to help not only with what you DO want to do, but also with what you DON’T want to do!
Nora Brown ’19, Philosophy (Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest)
After my fellowship, I was offered a role as Programming Assistant, a new role at my fellowship site to continue the work I was doing. The work I did there gave me the experience and network that made me a perfect fit for my current role as a Film Programming Manager in Atlanta.
Kenneth Laster ’20, Cinema and Media Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies (Film Streams)
The fellowship taught me a lot about professional and personal growth…Ultimately, I decided to move in a direction with a more clearly defined field (energy and climate), but the professional elements of the job are things I have brought into my personal life (volunteering, understanding community, asset-based thinking, etc.). Moving to a place where I didn’t know anyone and had no connections was scary after leaving Carleton and at times it was really hard. But, I learned a lot about building community and understanding new places and was ultimately the best thing I could have done after Carleton.
Jenna Greene ’17, Environmental Studies (University of Nebraska Omaha Service Learning Academy)