Billions Institute Fellowship
Our first retreat at Lake Tahoe, September 2017Graduates of all of our courses are eligible to apply for our fellowship.
The fellowship is a two-year community of practice for social change leaders designed to strengthen your ability to lead significant change in your sector from your essence.
Over a series of six in-person retreats, Fellows are supported by Becky and a team of five coaches to do the inner-work that forms a solid foundation for creating massive transformation in this world.
Becky & Christine Margiotta host the retreats at their home in Claremont, California. Most fellows choose to stay at the DoubleTree Hotel which is less than a mile away. We gather all day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday afternoon we break early so that we can co-create the world’s best potluck dinner together in Becky and Christine’s kitchen. Fellows often stay until late in the night. This is more than just a fellowship, it is a family of change leaders who love one another fiercely.
Warning: This is a radically different kind of group than you may have experienced before. There isn’t any reading or homework. This is deeply personal work, done in community, with the support of the best transformational coaches we could find.
Think of it as a come-as-you-are party for social change leaders where your whole and best self will be invited forward and any limiting beliefs or old stories will be lovingly challenged.
Faculty Team: Becky Margiotta is the primary facilitator of the fellowship along with five other transformational coaches who’ve been selected for their unique skills.
Christine Margiotta, in addition to being Becky’s amazing wife, brings a wealth of experience in public narrative, organizing, philanthropy, racial and social justice, and large-scale systems change.
Mike Thompson brings decades of experience in leading national, state and community-level LGBTQ advocacy efforts and organizations as well as absolutely brilliant perspectives on how to manage your board.
Nicole Taylor, author of A Joyful Pause, blends her expertise in Ayurvedic Medicine, Yoga, and consciousness skills in service of self-care.
Leslie Chertok is an entrepreneur and skilled trauma therapist.
Susan Jane brings decades of experience as an educator on race, racial representation, diversity, inclusion, popular culture, and media studies.
Together we weave a web of love and support around the fellows and create a context for deep personal transformation along with powerful professional growth.
Current Fellows: We limit the number of current fellows to 16 because that’s how many can comfortably fit in our living room including our coaches and a few alumni who are always welcome back forever. If you join the fellowship, you will be joining an extraordinary peer group who will love you and challenge you and help you level-up your leadership. You can learn more about our fellows here.
Graduation requirements:
- Show up. Be present.
- Contribute to the community.
- Serve as a coach for at least one Skid Row School during the two-year period.
- Pay it forward by mentoring one new fellow for their first month or two.
- Receive a “thumbs up” from three peers on a graduation committee of your choosing.
After graduation, fellows are considered members for life. Our vision is that the community we create together will become your home base forever, a safe refuge in the uncertain and chaotic experience of leading large-scale change, and the kick in the butt, too, if that’s what’s needed. Depending on your area of expertise and unique genius, we may ask you to become a Billions Institute Coach.
Cost: $10,000 for the two years paid up front, or $500/month paid monthly over two years. This does not include travel, lodging, or meals. Scholarships are available based on need. If this fellowship speaks to your soul, please do not let the cost stop you from applying.
To Apply: On a rolling basis, we will admit 4 new fellows at each retreat. We are accepting applications during COVID-19 but your two year clock won’t start running until we are able to meet in person again. Meanwhile, we meet over zoom regularly and you are welcome to join at any time. Just know it won’t count against your two years yet. We err on generosity here. Applications are available here.
Fellows will be selected to include leaders working on a diversity of issues and to optimize the representational equity of the cohort. We have agreed to limit white people from representing more than 70% of the cohort at any given time with the intention of creating an inclusive space for Black people, Indigenous people and People of Color.
Minimum requirements to apply:
- Graduate of a Billions Institute course.
- Actively engaged in funding or leading social change.
- Willing to learn in public.
We will make admissions decisions on a rolling basis, generally within a few days of receiving your application. If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to selena@billionsinstitute.com to discuss further.
Meet some of our fellows:
