The Wild Gift Fellowship is a two part program designed to drive your environmental venture to the next phase of growth.

01.

Wilderness Trek

The deep wilderness trek is a 20 day, unforgettable experience. The expedition challenges each Fellow physically and emotionally and connects them to the natural world on a very personal level. Fellows are able to unplug, incubate ideas, and envision the true scope of their work and lives while building lifelong bonds.

The trek concludes with a reunion gathering in Idaho for alumni and supporters. After that, the virtual program continues, offering opportunities to reflect on the experience, connect with mentors and business experts, and integrate takeaways with support from the Wild Gift network and cohort.

02.

Virtual Sessions

The virtual programming portion begins one month before the trek. These interactive virtual sessions, hosted by our Program Director, pick back up after the trek with five more months of programming to help you integrate takeaways from the trek into your venture and life.

How does time in the wilderness help grow your venture?

In the field of social innovation, the road to success is often long and lonely –brutal hours, stress, and personal sacrifice all seem inevitable for any start up. Research on social entrepreneurs and our own experience of supporting over 70 Fellows reveal that the ability to persevere is as important to eventual success as a good business plan.

There is no better medium than the wilderness to practice perseverance, stress-management, self-reflection, leadership, and team-work. The Wild Gift guided deep wilderness trek gives participants a chance to unplug, incubate ideas, and envision the true potential impact of their work.

Your Fellowship experience includes…

  • We want to help alleviate some of the financial burdens of starting a business as well as travel costs associated with the trek.

  • Our 2024 deep wilderness trek will take place near Sun Valley Idaho, August 25-September 14, 2024.

    Wild Gift partners with Sun Valley Guides, and Sun Valley Trekking, both established outfitters and guiding services and are responsible for all the trip logistics and safety. Guides are licensed and certified with extensive avalanche forecasting, rescue training, and years of teaching experience in the outdoors.

  • The Fellowship includes six months of virtual business and leadership programming, hosted by our Program Director. This begins the week of April 10th with 2 hour weekly calls one day per week leading up the the trek. After the trek, Fellows will meet monthly July through November. These interactive online sessions will include a combination of business and leadership workshops designed to support venture development.

  • Receive a free Lumina Spark Personality and Leadership Assessment during the virtual programming portion of the Fellowship.

  • Once you complete the fellowship trek and programming, you will gain lifetime access to the Wild Gift Alumni network, reunion events, and the broader Wild Gift community.

Application eligibility requirements

In order to apply for the Fellowship, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You are authorized to live and work in the U.S. or Canada (citizen, permanent resident, visa, Green Card)

  • You are between the ages of 21 and 35 as of April 1, 2024

  • You are an entrepreneur that has launched or are ready to launch a social or environmental venture

Infuse wildness into your venture.

The 2024 Wild Gift Fellowship application deadline has now passed. Be the first to know when applications for the 2025 Fellowship open during the fall.

FAQs

  • Yes, however, you must have completed your studies before the start of the Fellowship.

  • To apply for a Wild Gift fellowship, please click the “apply” button up top and follow the application instructions.

  • Wild Gift fellows receive mentorship from experienced leaders, access to a network of like-minded individuals, funding for their projects, and opportunities for personal and professional development through our programs.

  • No, the Wild Gift does not provide scholarship money or fund research.

  • A lot of different ways! The stipend has been used towards marketing materials, personnel, business operations, learning opportunities, and so much more.

  • Yes, as long as you and your social or environmental venture meets our eligibility criteria.

  • All that’s required is a good level of physical fitness and desire to learn and participate in all aspects of expeditionary life. We recommend preparing for the trek with long walks, hill hiking or running. Participants will be expected to carry a backpack weighing approximately 30-40 pounds for 3-6 hours a day in mountainous terrain. The more fit you arrive, the more fun you will have!

  • Fellows will be announced two months after the application is due. You will be notified if you were not selected.

  • Fill out our nomination form!

  • February 1st, 2024