Sojourners Fellowship Program: FAQs

What changes have occured to the program? (NEW FOR 2023-2024 COHORT)

We are excited to share some changes for the 2023-2024 cohort of fellows!

• We have increased the stipend to $700 after taxes. (More compensation information can be found below.)
• We decreased the size of the program to six fellows, which allows every fellow to have their own personal room. 
• We made communal expectations more flexible and group directed. 
• We are increasing the fellowship orientation to include two weeks of fellowship orientation followed by two weeks of vocational orientation.

What is included in the fellow's compensation? 

The monthly stipend has been increased to $700/month after taxes. Also, Sojourners' support includes the option to join the company health insurance plan, housing, groceries, local transportation, cell phone reimbursement, YMCA gym stipend, 20 days' paid vacation, 12 days paid sick/personal leave, 12 paid holidays, end-of-year transition award, and emergency and/or holiday travel support. 

What’s the difference between the Sojourners Internship Program and the Sojourners Fellowship Program?

In short, the programs are the same.  Sojourners offers one program, and now it is called a Fellowship Program.  As justice-seeking people, Sojourners has recognized that the word “intern” can no longer do justice to the caliber of leadership that we see from our program participants.  Our program participants are impressive people, fully integrated into the life of our community, and they take on substantive work.  We therefore changed the program name to “fellowship” to recognize the contributions of our fellows. Learn more about the history of the name and the reasons for the change here. 

What if I have student loans?

Depending on the type of loan you have, you may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. You may also be able to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan.  The Fellowship Director can assist in getting one-year deferments or hardship postponements for student loans if needed. The Fellowship Program Director will write a letter verifying Sojourners’ nonprofit status and the fellow’s compensation level. In the event of student loan deferment being denied, an fellow is encouraged to seek financial support for loan payments from their families or home congregations.

Some fellows have found the following links to be helpful as they navigate questions regarding student loans:  

Student Loan Expert Heather Jarvis

Equal Justice Works Student Debt Management

What type of work would I be doing?

“I would recommend the Sojourners Fellowship Program for someone looking to get a comprehensive understanding of how a larger non-profit works in different areas, or someone who wants to gain access to people working in social justice.”

Fellows work full-time in the ministry of Sojourners. Each participant is placed in an entry-level position in one of our departments. All of these positions are desk jobs, with occasional opportunities for travel and/or meetings around the city for some positions. Tasks and duties are individualized to the work placement, but most include a level of administration, communication, organization, research, and writing.

The departmental positions are concentrated either in non-profit management or program development.

What is intentional living? What am I getting myself into? 

“Living together with nine others teaches you how to be vulnerable, how to listen, how to forgive, how to collaborate, and how to resolve conflict.”

Sojourners was formed initially as an intentional community, with community members sharing vocation and personal life. The Sojourners Fellowship Program grows out of that foundational aspect of the organization, holding on to characteristics of communal living in our Columbia Heights fellows house.
Fellows maintain a household budget that provides grocery and household funds. Each fellow has their own private bedroom, working together to maintain household norms. House meetings provide a space for shared governance. Former fellows have shared meals, participated in faith formation, and group activities. No two fellows come from the same location in their faith journey, so the definition of "Christian" spans multiple denominations, expressions, and backgrounds. 

How is faith lived out during the fellowship year?

“I feel that I grew spiritually through contact with people who believe differently than I do (though not so differently as to cause dissention), and to get to understand the underlying factors behind those beliefs.”

Faith formation is an essential aspect of the program. It takes several forms. Fellows attend weekly seminars focused on faith, vocation, and justice. Also, faith is integrated in communal living. In years past, fellows have done liturgical prayer each morning, while others chose prayer partners each week, or celebrat Sunday evening worship service together. Others have observed scheduled Bible studies, creative prayer, singing of worship music, and sharing of prayer requests. 

As an organization Sojourners periodically holds chapel and offers other opportunities for a shared faith life. Additionally, many fellows join a church community in DC during their year with Sojourners.

I’m still figuring out my religion and spirituality—is the Sojourners Fellowship Program right for me?

Yes. Working with Sojourners is an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into your own faith life. As a spiritual formation program, the fellowship requires willingness to engage in a common spiritual life with other fellows. In addition, you will be working at a Christian nonprofit organization. However, we understand that we are all on a faith journey and do not require a statement of faith for participation. The application includes a section on your faith identity and must be completed for consideration as part of the program.  

What does it look like on a daily level to practice a theology of enough?

“Our Sojourners community taught me how compromising, self-sacrificing your own needs/desires, and constantly asking for prayer can build a strong community for all and not few.”

A year as a Sojourners fellow calls for compassion, cultural awareness, stewardship, and compromise. Fellows work together to understand  theologically the difference between equality and equity. Equality means all receive the same portion of resources no matter the need while equity insures access to resources based on individual needs. The program is facilitated through a lens of equity. 

Through a shared house account and common living space, fellows determine what it means for all to have enough in their context. The budget and resources available to the fellowship program are sufficient to provide groceries, local travel, and medical co-pays. However, creativity and compromise are frequently needed in the stewardship of the household. The house comes fully furnished and stocked with most everything needed to live comfortably.

What about free time?  Will I have nights, weekends, holidays? 

There is a four-week orientation at the beginning of the program (2 weeks for the program, 2 weeks with their vocational supervisors), and retreats during the year. Fellows are also expected to participate in household governance via regular house meetings, (shared chores, leadership roles, etc.) Planned house meals are encouraged.  Other than those commitments, most weekends and nights are free time. Fellows also receive the same paid holidays and vacation time as other full-time staff.  

What does the application process entail? Is it competitive?

Completed applications consist of four parts: 1) Individual Application 2) Personal Essay 3) Resume 4) Three Recommendations. The selection process includes review of  applications by several staff members. After the review period, a telephone interviews are scheduled with strong application packages, with a potential for secondary interviews. Finally, offers are made for a specific positions in the program. Applications are due April 17, 2023. Notifications of acceptance will be sent in May.

Each application cycle is different, and so there is no definitive sense of the competitiveness of the program. Each year, the review of applications is conducted in an effort to form a community of individuals with diverse experiences, passions, faith backgrounds, emotional intellegence, and a combined interest in all aspects of the program.

What educational background or work experience do I need to apply and be accepted?

Anyone 21 years and older with a US Social Security number, without dependents, is eligible to apply for the Sojourners Fellowship Program. The program benefits from the diverse experiences of its fellows. Past fellows have studied social work, business, English, religion, international relations, anthropology, art, and much more. Fellows have previous work experiences ranging from teaching English as a foreign language to working on election campaigns, working at summer camp to organic farming. You can read the bios of the current class of fellows here.

What do fellows do after their fellowship year is completed?

“I am so thankful and grateful for the things I have learned this year, and the truth Sojourners has put in me to do good work.  I think the freedom I have been given to try out new things and be creative has been very rewarding for me.”

Program alumni have gone on to careers in advocacy, nonprofit administration, design, ministry, law, journalism, missions, politics, teaching – even business and farming. Some go to graduate school after their fellowship; others continue working in Washington, D.C.; and still others find jobs or programs throughout the U.S. and the world. In the second half of the fellowship year, the seminars are focused upon vocational discernment, networking, and skills needed to transition into their next opportunity.

Are you currently recruiting for the next cohort of fellows? Where can I find more information?

Thank you for your interest. We are no longer accepting applications for the next cohort of fellows. If you have any questions about the application process, please email volunteer@sojo.net.