Graduate Fellow, Catalytic Capital Initiative

This is a 10-month, part-time remote fellowship (approximately 5–10 hours per week, varying by project phase), running from August 1, 2026 through June 1, 2027. Candidates must be available to commit to the full term and able to attend meetings during U.S. Eastern Time business hours.

ABOUT IMPACT CAPITAL MANAGERS 

Impact Capital Managers is a network of private capital fund managers investing for superior financial returns and meaningful impact, with a mission to accelerate the performance of its members and to scale the private capital impact investing market with integrity and authenticity. Membership is selective and open to General Partners (GPs) spanning venture capital, private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. ICM is a 501(c)(6) organization with an affiliated 501(c)(3), the ICM Institute. For more information, visit impactcapitalmanagers.com.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Impact Capital Managers (ICM) is facilitating the launch of a Catalytic Capital Community of Practice (CoP), convened in partnership with Prime Coalition and Rhia Ventures. This work is grant-funded through the C3 initiative; ICM is supporting the project in a facilitation role and will not be hosting the CoP directly. The CoP intends to bring together intermediaries working at the frontier of catalytic, impact-first, and concessionary capital. The CoP aims to produce a shared glossary of catalytic capital terminology, equity-centered governance principles, a founding cohort of participants, and a roadmap for developing high-priority tools and resources.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a graduate student to serve as the ICM Fellow on this project. The Fellow will support research, convening logistics, and documentation — gaining direct exposure to senior practitioners in impact investing, catalytic capital, and field-building. This role reports to the Director of Talent and Leadership Development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Fellow will support the following activities throughout the fellowship, working closely with the project lead. Specific tasks will vary based on project needs and timing.

• Research and synthesis: Review and synthesize materials related to catalytic capital to inform a shared glossary and other CoP outputs

• Convening support: This includes but is not limited to: developing event agendas/run-of-shows, handling logistics and A/V, taking notes during planning calls and live sessions, overseeing registration and attendance tracking, communicating with event venues and vendors, and organizing event materials.

• Stakeholder coordination: Support outreach and scheduling with prospective and confirmed CoP participants; maintain trackers and response logs

• Documentation: Distribute session summaries, compile feedback, and help draft written outputs for participants and stakeholders

• Support on additional tasks as needed relating to the project.

COMPENSATION

The ICM Fellow will receive a total stipend of $10,000, paid in monthly installments over the course of the fellowship. This role is structured as an independent contractor (1099) engagement. Time commitment is approximately 5–10 hours per week, depending on the project phase.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a rising senior undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in impact investing, catalytic capital, sustainable finance, or related fields.

REQUIRED

• Interest in impact investing, catalytic capital, blended finance, or field-building work

• Strong writing and synthesis skills — able to turn discussions and data into clear outputs

• Ability to manage logistics and timelines independently across multiple workstreams

• Comfort with survey tools (Qualtrics or equivalent)

• Professional judgment in communications with external partners

PREFERRED

• Prior coursework, internship, capstone project, or research experience touching impact investing, philanthropy, or social finance

• Experience supporting convenings, working groups, or multi-stakeholder research projects

• Comfort summarizing technical or financial content for mixed audiences

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE 

Apply by sending the following materials to [email protected] with “Graduate Fellow, Catalytic Capital Initiative” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Due to the anticipated high volume of queries, only those who advance to an interview will be contacted.

1. Your resume

2. A brief cover letter explaining why this particular role interests you and why you are an ideal candidate – this should include things not found on your resume. Please include: (1) your available start date, (2) your confirmation that you can commit to the full 10-month term, and (3) how this fellowship fits into your school schedule.