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The Impact Fellowships Summit (IFS) is a convening for leaders and designers of fellowship programs that support leaders driving positive change in communities. Participants learn, share ideas and resources, and connect as members of the impact fellowships community.

History of the Impact Fellowships Summit

Founded in 2016 by Atlas Corps, ProInspire, and Public Allies, the Impact Fellowships Summit fostered an inclusive learning and sharing community for individuals who work on social impact fellowship programs, identified and acted on opportunities for collective action, and facilitated ongoing collaboration and support among community members.

IREX took on the convening role for the Impact Fellowship Summit in 2018, building on the work of the founding organizations to host our first IFS in April 2019. 

In April 2019, IREX convened its first Impact Fellowships Summit around the theme Dynamic Leadership for a Changing World. Over two days, 128 fellowship practitioners representing 86 organizations attended to share, learn, and network. In October 2020, 180 practitioners representing more than 110 organizations gathered virtually over three days to share, learn, and discuss Diverse and Equitable Leadership for a Changing World. And in November 2021, we focused on going Beyond Fellowship Adaptation: Towards Sustained, Inclusive, and Systemic Impact as we grappled with the ongoing pandemic and how to navigate a safe return to in-person or hybrid programming.

In April 2023, IFS gathered 100 attendees for an All About Alumni hybrid summit consisting of virtual and in-person programming, including a cocktail reception. At this summit, we also shared results from the Fellowship Alumni Network Study (FANS), funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. IREX looks forward to continuing to leverage its expertise to evolve the structure and content of the summit and push the boundaries of a traditional learning conference, while maintaining the original spirit of collaboration, flexibility, and learning.

Previous Agendas

2023 Agenda on Sustaining Equitable Networks and Getting to Positive Change

2021 Agenda on Beyond Fellowship Adaptation: Towards Sustained, Inclusive & Systemic Impact

2020 Agenda on Diverse and Equitable Leadership for a Changing World

2019 Agenda on Dynamic Leadership for a Changing World