YANA Summer Fellowship

Launched in 2017 in partnership with Dwight Hall, the YANA Summer Fellowship has thrived because Yale alumni step up to empower the next generation of Yale changemakers. This fellowship eliminates financial barriers for under-resourced Yale students by providing stipends and mentorship for impactful summer internships addressing social injustices. To date, the Fellowship has funded 32 Fellows, enabling them to work with organizations tackling challenges such as refugee services, legal aid, education equity, housing access, public health, cultural heritage, and community development.

Entirely alumni-driven and alumni-funded, this program exemplifies the power of the Yale network. Through donations big and small YANA showcases what alumni can achieve together in advancing social impact.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The world needs bold, passionate leaders to create a more fair and equitable society. Yale students and alumni are answering that call, eager to give back and pursue meaningful careers in social impact and the nonprofit space. Yet, unlike clear pathways to finance or consulting, careers in the social sector often remain undefined, and the University has yet to fully harness its potential to support this pipeline.

Yale alumni are bridging the gap, stepping in to unlock opportunities for students to turn their aspirations into action. Unpaid or underfunded internships in the nonprofit and public sectors often exclude students with financial constraints. The YANA-Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship removes this barrier, allowing students from all backgrounds to pursue transformative, high-impact opportunities without sacrificing their career ambitions.

The Impact of YANA–Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship

Hear directly from Fellows about how this life-changing program empowered them to address pressing social, public health, and environmental challenges while gaining invaluable professional experience.