THE MOONSHOT FELLOWSHIP

Moonshot edVentures builds the pipeline of diverse leaders to design and launch the learning environments of tomorrow in Metro Denver, and is setting an example for early-stage leadership preparation for cities across the country. To date, Moonshot has supported 100+ Fellows to design and lead non-profits, charter schools, micro-schools, district turnaround schools, and after-school programs. Throughout the Fellowship, Moonshot Fellows build their entrepreneurial muscle and explore their leadership of people, instruction, strategy, and operations. Moreover, Moonshot works to keep “self” at the center, both in terms of identity and self-care. The Moonshot Fellowship takes place in three stages, with Fellows collaborating with the Moonshot team to identify whether the Fellow carries the readiness and commitment to continue to the next stage of the Fellowship.

> Learn more about what makes the Moonshot Fellowship unique
> Check out our blog post “Moonshot Fellowship, A Year-in-the-Life (through Instagram)”

1. EXPLORE

Timing: Part-time, Fall. (Follows the typical “first semester” of the school year)

Explore the idea of designing and launching a new school or program that works to transform the learning environment and the subsequent learning environments for students of color. In this stage, leadership development of the Fellow is as important as their model design. During this stage, Moonshot Fellows connect to over sixty local and national leaders who contribute their time, wisdom, and resources to support the development and launch of your idea.

• Assess your leadership readiness

• Design your idea alongside community

• Get access to local and national leaders and funders

• Visit schools and programs across the country for inspiration

• Showcase Event to share work and vision with the community (see photos from our 2022 6th Annual Showcase!)

2. CULTIVATE

Timing: Part-time, Winter/Spring (Follows the typical “second semester” of the school year)

Moonshot Fellows who complete Explore and are continuing to develop their ventures are invited to deepen their practice. Fellows will receive a “boot camp” of content in January, and work to pilot their ideas via Saturday Camps with the rest of the cohort. Each Fellow will have an opportunity to lead and manage other Fellows and plan the necessary logistics needed to execute one Saturday Camp.

• Launch a pilot program of your idea, and test your most risky assumptions

• Try your hand at operations and management

• Engage students and families in the launch of your idea

3. PREPARE TO LAUNCH

Timing: May and Summer. Full time opportunities for the following school year are possible; read about our residency programs here.

For those committed to launching their ventures, Fellows will have the opportunity to focus deeply on the “nuts and bolts” of launching, including board governance, student recruitment, facilities, HR, budgeting, legal, fundraising, etc. Additionally, Fellows will run their own summer pilots to test their ideas over a longer period of time.

• Participate in additional full- or part-time opportunities to launch your idea

  • Part-time opportunities include a stipend and a sub-grant to launch a summer school program

  • Full-time opportunities may include a full-year, full-time residency following the fellowship

• Understand the “nuts and bolts” of launching