We define systems change as work that addresses the root causes of injustice to permanently improve the lives of the people most impacted by the issue, in turn benefitting all. As distinct from direct service work, systems change initiatives recognize the problem’s complex history and seek to transform the system often by policy change, community organizing, and campaigns to shift how we think about the issue. By contrast, direct services often provide much-needed individual-level support, such as temporary or permanent housing, mentoring, training, or food banks.

• Direct Service treats the problem’s symptoms. Systems Change addresses underlying core causes of the problem.

• Direct Service alleviates immediate needs. Systems Change Eradicates the problem permanently.

• Direct Service serves individuals or groups one at a time. Systems Change impacts a broader community all at once.

• Direct Service results are seen in a shorter, defined time frame. Systems Change results are seen over a long, undefined time frame.

• Direct Service relief relies on an individual continuing to utilize the organization’s service. Systems Change creates community shifts that will cause the organization’s service to be unneeded over time.

Examples of Direct Service: Temporary or permanent housing, food banks, mentoring, training, counseling.

Examples of Systems Change: policy change, community organizing, campaigns to shift public perception.

Our systems change definition is inspired in part by FSG’s “The Water of Systems Change” and Marina Kim’s “Rethinking the Impact Spectrum”.

Unfortunately, only IRS-designated 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, or initiatives with a fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply for the Systems Change Fellowship. If you are a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity, ensure that you have a Letter of Determination from the IRS affirming your organization’s tax-exempt status. Learn more at the IRS website.

If you’d like to learn more about fiscal sponsorship, visit the National Council of Nonprofits.

SJPLA will review all Eligibility Questionnaire submissions, and invite only eligible candidates to attend an applicant workshop.

The applicant workshop will be offered virtually on two dates: Thursday, June 13th, 10am-1pm or Monday, June 17th, 11am-2pm. Invited candidates will be required to attend only one.

We acknowledge the time, resources, and effort that nonprofit organizations invest in completing funding applications. Our intention is to reduce written barriers to applying for the program, to honor the investment of time and resources that nonprofits expend seeking funding, and to offer a value-add component to the Systems Change Fellowship application process.

The applicant workshop is hands-on and interactive. It’s an opportunity for candidates and SJPLA to get to know each other, to get a deeper understanding of the systemic change candidates seek to create, and to determine whether the program will be a fit for both sides of this partnership.

Candidates will engage in collaborative exercises, walking away with tangible tools to help clarify the problem they’re tackling and their solution. After the workshops, SJPLA will invite up to 10 candidates to join the Systems Change Fellowship.

Fellows are required to participate in all program dates. If you know in advance that you will miss one or more of the sessions, please email mdominguez@sjpla.org before submitting the Eligibility Questionnaire.

The individual participating in the Systems Change Fellowship on behalf of their organization should have significant organization-wide decision-making responsibility and should have at least six months of tenure with the organization. This person is responsible for the strategy and overall success of the systems change initiative. We have found this is usually the Executive Director, initiative Director, or someone with similar responsibilities, but we are open to participants of varying positions.

The program will be conducted virtually and in person, and participants should be based in LA County to utilize the coaching resources available.

There is no cost to participate in the program, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and Partners.

We welcome you to email us if you have any questions about eligibility, program participation requirements, or the application and join us at the Information Session.

Fellows are asked to:

• Attend all workshop sessions.

• Fully engage with the cohort and SJPLA community.

• Complete program surveys throughout.

Last year we received 79 applications. 22 applicants were invited to the applicant workshop, and 8 applicants were invited to join the cohort.

Systems Change Fellow’s organizations are given a $10,000 unrestricted grant to be dispersed in two $5,000 installments. The first payment is disbursed three months into the program, in November, and the last disbursement is upon completion of the program in May.