The Truist Foundation Fellowship, powered by the Watson Institute, is a fully-funded venture and leadership development program for the most promising small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit founders who are building solutions for underbanked or underserved communities.
Donor Name: Watson Institute
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Fellowship
Deadline: 01/12/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The Fellowship includes technical assistance, mentorship, access to capital, a vast network of resources, and long-term alumni support.
- Business & Leadership Workshops
- Mentorship & Capital Connection
- Basecamps: Creating Lasting Impact
- Pitch Training & inperson Summit.
This fully-funded, 16-week Fellowship aims to find the most promising entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit leaders who are building economic opportunity in communities that have been historically underbanked or underserved. The primary focus is on ventures in one of these two areas:
- Small Business Ecosystem Builders: You’re helping other small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed through training, funding access, mentorship, market opportunities, or essential business services.
- Career Pathway Creators: You’re building on-ramps to economic mobility through workforce development, upskilling, job training, apprenticeships, or employment pathways.
The Truist Foundation Fellowship offers a comprehensive mix of virtual and in-person experiences designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are. Fellows will gain access to entrepreneurship and leadership development workshops, connections to mentors and capital, pitch training, and an in-person Summit—all tailored to support both individual growth and community impact.
Eligibility Criteria
- Who you are:
- You are a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or entrepreneur with proven results building solutions for underbanked or underserved communities. This could include strengthening small businesses, building career pathways to economic mobility, and fostering thriving communities.
- Your Business Stage:
- Your business or organization has been operating for 1-5 years with fewer than 10 employees. You have engaged customers, measurable results, and have secured some funding through grants, investments, donations, or revenue, but you’re ready to grow to the next level.
- Your Commitment:
- You must be able to commit to the full 16-week program, including the mandatory one-day in-person Immersive and weekly workshops held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern Time. they prioritize participants who are fully committed to active engagement throughout the entire program. The program’s success depends on building a strong community where all participants are enthusiastic about both learning and sharing their experiences with others.
- Where You Work:
- Located in and creating impact across rural and urban communities throughout:
- Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee;
- Mid-Atlantic: Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia;
- Northeast: New Jersey and Pennsylvania;
- South Central: Texas and Ohio.
- Located in and creating impact across rural and urban communities throughout:
- What You Are Looking For:
- You seek expert-guided entrepreneurial training, a supportive community for feedback, a broad mentor network to enhance your leadership, and opportunities to challenge yourself by leading a Basecamp event and other initiatives that benefit your venture and community. You bring an entrepreneurial spirit and growth mindset to this work.
- Demographics:
- Adults 18 or Older.
For more information, visit Watson Institute.
