Nonprofit Technology Fellowship
Meet the thought leaders who are building the future of technology, innovation, and social impact
Technology is a critical aspect of every nonprofit’s plan. We believe the impact of any technology is ultimately determined by people: leaders who understand how tech can improve direct services, who have the courage to build secure systems, and who share their wisdom and expertise to strengthen the entire nonprofit ecosystem.
This is why we launched the Nonprofit Technology Fellowship—to empower nonprofit technology leaders to strengthen the sector with their expertise, and become more effective strategic leaders.
Background
O4G has been committed to a paradigm shift in the ways nonprofits are funded and enabled to leverage technology. Since 2021, we’ve supported the development of over 30 nonprofit technology leaders from across the globe – strengthening their leadership capacity, facilitating professional growth, and enhancing their visibility as thought leaders. We're excited to welcome our fifth cohort of Fellows in the spring of 2026!
Fellowship Experience
The goal of the Fellowship is to empower a dynamic collection of nonprofit technology leaders to strengthen the sector with their expertise and become more effective strategic leaders within their organizations. During the six-month fellowship, each fellow develops at least one significant piece of content (i.e. deliverable) that champions best practices around technology or security. This can include items like articles, conference sessions, or internal presentations. Fellows also receive professional development through six (6) facilitated convenings, coaching, and networking. Cohort convenings are virtual and mandatory. A full schedule will be provided to Fellows upon acceptance.
What You'll Gain
- A Transformative Experience: Fellows receive professional development through six (6) facilitated convenings, coaching, and networking.
- Funding Assistance: Fellows’ organizations will receive a $25,000 grant from the Okta for Good Fund (held at Tides Foundation, and pending their approval).
- Supportive Connections: Join an innovative network of technology experts, program alumni and Okta leaders leveraging technology to make our industry more secure.
- Opportunities & Resources: Opportunity to develop your thought leadership to benefit the sector and elevate your strategic leadership within your organization.
Eligibility & Requirements
- Our goal is to form a cohort that is diverse in many ways. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
- Candidates must be employed full-time by a 501c3 nonprofit (for US-based organizations) or your country’s equivalent.
- Candidates' jobs should focus primarily or exclusively on technology.
Key Dates (2025-2026)
October 6: Applications open.
October 15: Information session #1 @8am PT/11am ET. Register here!
October 22: Information session #2 @4pm PT/7pm ET. Register here!
October 31: Applications close.
November-December: Finalist interviews.
December-January: All candidates are notified of their selection status.
- February: Fellowship program and convenings.
Previous Fellows
Allison Sambo
Director of Learning and Evaluation, North America, Waverley Street Foundation
Audra Hurd
COO, Paths for Families
Erick Ngwiri
Director, IT (Global Data & Analytics), Catholic Relief Services
Ian Gottesman
CEO, NGO ISAC
Jonathan Palmer
Executive Director for Conservation Technology, Wildlife Conservation Society
Marcella Maki
Staff Fullstack Engineer and Technical Product Manager, Foundation for Learning Equality
Nayid Orozco
Chief Product Officer, Data Friendly Space
Vadim Polyakov
Director of Product Development and CTO, Norwegian Refugee Council
Daniela Sarzosa Castillo
Senior Advisor for MERL Tech, Global Communities
Erica Arya
India Head, Project Tech4Dev
Jamie Tomasello
Managing Director, Superbloom
Jason Long
Technical Director, Innovation Lab, Human Rights First
Mary Zhu
Founder & Executive Director, Develop for Good
Nicole Smith
Senior Manager, Tech Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships, UNHCR
Liam Nicoll
Signpost Product Lead, International Rescue Committee
Lourdes Rivas
CEO, World Pulse
Sarah Angel-Johnson
CIO, Save the Children
Edwin Goutier
Vice President, Innovation, United Way Worldwide
Francis Johnson
Managing Director of Technology Services, Tech Impact
Aine McGlynn
Charity Engagement and Success, CanadaHelps
Khuloud Odeh
CIO and Vice President, Technology and Data Science, The Urban Institute
Christopher Prince-Barry
Director of IT, DonorsChoose
Zerom Tesfay
Global IT System Delivery Manager, Mercy Corps
Amy Sample Ward
CEO, NTEN
Patrick Anyanga
CTO, Afya Pamoja
Michael Boeglin
CIO, Mercy Corps
Poesy Chen
Innovation Director, Mobile Pathways
Virginia Dotson
COO, Anthos Home
Scott MacDonald
Lead Engineer, Callisto
Melanie Meyer
Managing Director, Nonprofit Technology Solutions, Tech Impact
Joel Urbanowicz
Senior Director, Digital Workplace Services, Catholic Relief Services
Nancy Yu
Deputy Executive Director, HURIDOCS
Previous Content Pieces
Public-facing launch of signpostai, a groundbreaking humanitarian AI initiative to de-risk and scale AI in the aid sector by Liam Nicoll, Rescue.org
Bridging the Gap: What NGOs and Tech Companies Can Learn From Each Other by Lourdes Rivas Güida, World Pulse
Powering nonprofit volunteer management with seamless tech integration by Mary Zhu, Develop for Good
Behind the Scenes: Innovation at the Hive by Nicole Smith, USA for UNHCR
Nonprofit Technology Fellowship FAQs
To empower nonprofit technology leaders to strengthen the sector with their expertise, and become more effective strategic leaders.
The fellowship lasts for 6 months.
Fellows will participate in 6 facilitated, virtual convenings (1 per month). All meetings are mandatory. A full schedule will be provided upon acceptance.
Fellows are expected to commit approximately 4-6 hours per month to this program which includes facilitated convenings, one-on-one coaching sessions, and independent work.
A typical meeting encompasses a welcome and community-building session, followed by a guest speaker presentation from Okta, past Fellows, or industry leaders. The meeting also dedicates time for discussion, reflection, coaching, and work on Fellow’s deliverables.
Fellows receive professional development through convenings focused on strategic leadership, discussions on emerging tech trends impacting nonprofits, coaching from Okta leaders, networking, and integrated trainings.
Yes, each Fellow’s organization will receive a $25,000 grant from the Okta for Good Fund (held at Tides Foundation, and pending their approval).
Each Fellow develops at least one significant piece of content, or "deliverable," that champions best practices in technology or security. This could include articles, conference sessions, or internal presentations. Examples (from previous cohorts) include:
Bridging the Gap: What NGOs and Tech Companies Can Learn From Each Other, by Lourdes Rivas Güida, CEO, World Pulse
Public-facing launch of signpostai, a groundbreaking humanitarian AI initiative to de-risk and scale AI in the aid sector opens in a new tab by Liam Nicoll, Signpost Product Lead, Rescue.org
- Creating a Culture of Funding and Support for Cybersecurity, by Francis Johnson, CTO, Tech Impact
Candidates must be employed full-time by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. or its equivalent in another country. Their roles should primarily focus on building, maintaining, or securing technology within their organization. While many Fellows hold senior titles, leaders at all levels are encouraged to apply.
The goal is to form a cohort with a wide array of perspectives across nonprofit technology, so we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We are especially interested in candidates who are passionate about protecting their organization, the communities they serve, and the sector from cyber threats.
Applications open on October 6 and close on October 31.
Yes, Okta for Good will host two information sessions. The first session will be held on October 15 at 8am PT/11am ET, and the second session will take place on October 22 at 4pm PT/7pm ET. Registration is required.
Finalist interviews will take place in between November and December 2025. All candidates will be notified of their selection status no later than January 5, 2026. The program will begin in February 2026.
Okta invests in our communities
Okta for Good is on a mission to build a more secure world where everyone can belong and thrive.