Propel Impact Consulting Fellowship

Learn to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.

Understand a problem space. Work with a team.
Build a solution. See it through.

Applications are open now until March 12, 2025.

Who is it for: youth aged 18 - 30 studying, working, or living anywhere in Canada
Commitment required: 10 hours/week
Learn and apply crucial skills.
Our Fellowship program is comprehensive, nationally recognized, and directly applicable. You'll learn the skills you need to thrive in the sector—through hands on and workshop-based learning.
Grow as you make an impact.
We don't want you sitting on the sidelines. You want to make the world a better place—and as a Fellow you will. See how past Fellows have learned while making a real impact.
Join a supportive community.
As a Fellow, you'll be welcomed into a space filled with friendship and opportunity. You'll be first in line for summer internships at select firms, meet brilliant peers, and strengthen your professional network.

Meet some of our
brilliant Fellows!

The Impact Consulting Fellowship is now a two-step program:


1: Foundations Certificate

A larger pool of learners will participate in learning
modules from May to August, 2025.
Principles
The values at the root of effective, thoughtful, and compassionate change-making.

• Anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices
• Reconciliation and decolonization
• Community engagement
Knowledge & Frameworks
The mental models that you need for effective impact projects.

• Systems thinking
• Theory of change
• Stakeholder mapping
Technical skills you need for a successful career in social innovation and social finance.
• Market research
• Assessing for feasibility
• Impact measurement
• Financial modelling

Learners who successfully complete all modules of the Foundations Certificate by the designated dates will be invited to interview for one of 60 positions in the Impact Consulting Fellowship and provided with a certificate of completion.

2. Impact Consulting Fellowship

From September 2025 - March 2026, 60 Fellows will
work on projects with impactful organizations, like:

Fellows will also have access to:

Community Building
• Alumni-led in-person socials in communities across Canada
• Coffee chats with peers and Propel Impact alumni
Personal Development
• Mentorship from impact professionals (investors, entrepreneurs, consultants)
• Project coaching from industry professionals
Network-building
• Speaker series featuring practitioners from various fields in social innovation and social finance

After your Fellowship, you're eligible to become an Analyst—putting you first in line for internships at organizations like

Impact Advisory Firms
Impact Investing Organizations
Accelerators

How it all works

Check your eligibility
Make sure you’re eligible and submit an application:

You need:
- To be between the ages of 18-30
- To have 10 hours/week available from May - August for asynchronous training, and 10 hours/week available from September - March for projects (with a programming break in December)
- To have a demonstrated interest in and care for environmental and social issues
- To have strong self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence

You don't need:
- To have prior consulting experience
- To have studied business
- To have relevant working experience
May - August: Foundations Certificate
A large number of learners will participate in asynchronous learning modules, covering market research, impact measurement, financial modeling, and more.
September - November: First Project
Impact Consulting Fellows will work in teams to support an impact-driven organization to solve a crucial problem. You'll receive mentorship from industry professionals and Propel alum along the way.
Spend your summer as a paid Summer Analyst
As a Fellow, you'll be first in line for our Summer Analyst Program: where you’ll spend 80% of your time working as a paid Analyst in one of our partner organizations and 20% of your summer working with Propel Impact as an Innovator-in-Residence.
Submit your application for the Impact Consulting Fellowship
As part of your application, you'll write one short response and complete a virtual interview on Ribbon.ai. You'll be notified in April if you're successful.
July - August
Those who successfully complete all modules will be invited to interview for one of 60 positions in the Impact Consulting Fellowship. Successful candidates will be notified by the first week of August.
January - March: Second Project
Having learned from your first project, you'll take on a second brief with a different organization.
Throughout: Personal and Professional Development
You'll have access to social events, alumni-led discussions, 1:1 goal-setting sessions with our team, and more throughout the Fellowship.

FAQ

What do I need to submit an application for the Summer Training Program?
You’ll respond to one written question and complete a virtual interview where you answer four questions. All details can be found in the Application Overview document.
Why are you doing intake for the Impact Consulting Fellowship in two stages?
A key quality we look for in our Fellows is commitment. In past years, some Fellows who didn’t complete the training either struggled through the projects or dropped out of the program. By structuring intake in two stages, we ensure that those who advance are committed and well-prepared, increasing their chances of successfully completing the Fellowship.
Does completing the Summer Training Program guarantee a spot in the Fellowship?
No, completing the Summer Training Program does not guarantee that you will be selected as one of 60 Fellows. Before being selected, you will need to complete one interview with our team and Propel Impact alum in addition to completing all modules.
How will my performance be evaluated at the end of the Summer Training Program?
Your performance in the Foundations Certificate will focus on both completion and the quality of the deliverables you submit. In addition, your final interview in July/August will assess the skills and knowledge you have gained from the modules over the summer.
What if I can't complete the Summer Training Program on time?
If you do not complete the Foundations Certificate by our selection dates in July/August, you will not be invited to interview for a spot in the Impact Consulting Fellowship.
What happens if I don't make it into the Fellowship after the Summer Training Program?
If you don’t make it into the Impact Consulting Fellowship once you have completed the Foundations Certificate, you will be provided a certificate of completion from Propel Impact as long as you complete all the modules. You can reapply for the Impact Consulting Fellowship in the future without retaking the Foundations Certificate as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.
What types of consulting projects will we work on if we're selected as Fellows?
You will work on projects with a range of social enterprises, early stage impact ventures, non-profits, and charities working in communities across Canada. Propel Impact Fellows have consulted both startups and organizations that have been operating for decades. Projects will be scoped to address one of the following four areas:

1. Market Research
2. Feasibility Assessment
3. Financial Modelling
4. Impact Measurement
What type of training will I receive to prepare me for these consulting projects?
Over the summer, you will participate in foundational training led by expert practitioners across the country through a series of Zoom workshops and asynchronous assignments, covering a range of topics including truth and reconciliation, systems thinking, and market research, theory of change, and impact measurement. In the month before your first consulting project, you'll receive training from industry consultants on project and client management.
Are there opportunities for me to remain involved with Propel Impact once I complete the Fellowship?
Yes! As a Fellow you will have the opportunity to be considered for our Analyst Program in May-August 2026. As an alum, you will also have the opportunity to be involved as a mentor and project advisor to future Fellows and as a paid consultant through our NextGen Advisory practice.
Can I still apply if I am 30+ years old?
No - this program is designed for people 18-30. We offer our Propel Impact Professionals Program to anyone outside of this age range. Visit propelimpact.com/professionals to learn more.

Register for information sessions

Meet the Propel Impact team, learn about careers in social impact, and ask questions about the Impact Consulting and Impact Investing Fellowships.

Register here

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touch

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