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Rockefeller Foundation's Big Bets Fellowship

The Rockefeller Foundation has officially launched its inaugural class of the Big Bets Fellowship, a program aimed at empowering community leaders across the United States. This initiative seeks to tackle pressing issues faced by communities from Appalachia to the coasts, emphasizing transformation in local systems to promote economic growth and healthier food practices.

The first cohort comprises 12 innovative leaders from various states, including Alaska, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Throughout the four-month fellowship, selected fellows will benefit from tailored programming, networking opportunities, and professional development designed to enhance their efforts in creating impactful solutions tailored to local needs.

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, expressed the organization's commitment to supporting these transformative leaders in driving change during challenging times. According to Dr. Shah, “Our U.S. Big Bets Fellows represent the very best of America. In a time of growing division, these twelve leaders are using their tenacity, innovation, and optimism to bring us closer to one another and to get all Americans, especially those so often left behind, closer to the American Dream.”

Addressing Community Barriers

The United States faces numerous barriers, with approximately 60 percent of households struggling to secure not just basic necessities like food and shelter but also education and healthcare. The fellows are working on bold, locally-driven solutions to tackle these challenges. Each participating fellow is committed to enhancing the community's overall welfare by fostering economic opportunities and improving access to health-related resources.

Innovative Projects Overview

• - Gretchen Fauske (Alaska) will focus on empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence by offering financial education and grants.
• - Marina Zhavoronkova (California) aims to enhance access to quality construction job opportunities, especially for underrepresented groups.
• - Rey Faustino (California) is leveraging technology to streamline access to essential services for low-income families.
• - Tiffany Terrell (Georgia) seeks to deliver nutritious food directly to vulnerable communities through a mobile grocery initiative.
• - Dion Dawson (Illinois) will connect local food producers with communities in need, aiming to reduce food insecurity.
• - Colby Hall (Kentucky) plans to harness technology to create job opportunities and remove barriers to employment.
• - Catherine Wilson (New Jersey) aims to enable low-to-moderate-income residents to invest in community housing initiatives.
• - Melissa Bukuru (New York) focuses on increasing financial security for low-income workers by promoting savings tools.
• - Jennifer Hankins (Oklahoma) plans to foster entrepreneurial growth within Tulsa through workforce training.
• - Alexandre Imbot (Pennsylvania) aims to transform convenience stores into food pharmacies emphasizing nutrition.
• - Jacob Hannah (West Virginia) is revitalizing rural areas by transforming property into business investments.
• - Paul Huberty (Wyoming) aims to strengthen Indigenous economies through enhanced access to resources and support services.

A Legacy of Investment

The Rockefeller Foundation has a long-standing history of collaboration across various sectors and communities. Established in 1913, the foundation has been instrumental in delivering impactful investments focused on public health, scientific research, and economic opportunities for American citizens. Since 2005, the organization has allocated nearly $3 billion in support of Food is Medicine initiatives and economic policies designed to uplift American families.

The Big Bets Fellowship builds upon the foundation's previous efforts, which began in 2024 with a cohort focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. These early fellows honed their methods, engaged in partnership development, and created narratives to rally support for their initiatives. The learnings from these groups have paved the way for this latest initiative.

Looking Ahead

With the launch of the Big Bets Fellowship, the Rockefeller Foundation is reinforcing its commitment to address socio-economic divides within the United States. By equipping community leaders with the necessary tools to forge change, the foundation hopes to foster an environment where everyone can thrive.

For those interested in learning more about the foundation and its initiatives, check out www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow them on X and LinkedIn for updates.