America’s Future Development Fellowship
The Development Fellowship equips liberty-minded young professionals with the philosophical foundation and practical fundraising skills needed to strengthen the institutions advancing liberty. Participants will explore the principles of philanthropy, donor cultivation, organizational development, major gifts, foundation relations, and planned giving while learning how successful organizations build meaningful relationships that sustain their mission for the long term.
Applications for our Fall 2026 cohort are now OPEN!
About the Development Fellowship
In this fellowship, you will:
- Develop a philosophical understanding of why private philanthropy is essential to a free society
- Learn the principles of donor cultivation, stewardship, and long-term relationship building
- Explore organizational development, major gifts, foundation relations, and planned giving
- Gain practical fundraising strategies that support mission-driven organizations
- Build the knowledge and confidence needed to strengthen institutions within the liberty movement
This virtual fellowship, held via Zoom on Monday evenings from 6:00–7:30 PM ET for six weeks, is designed for liberty-minded young professionals working in development, fundraising, nonprofit leadership, communications, policy, advocacy, and related fields.
This fellowship is a seminar that allows participants to engage directly with instructors and fellow professionals while exploring both the philosophy and practice of nonprofit development. Participants should plan to attend all sessions.
Meet the Facilitator
Kevin Augustyn is Vice President of Development at the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, where he leads a comprehensive fundraising operation that raises an average of $12 million annually. Previously, he served as a Visiting Fellow at the Mercatus Center’s Program on Pluralism and Civil Exchange, a Program Officer at the Charles Koch Foundation managing a portfolio of academic partnerships, and Chief Advancement Officer for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University, where he personally closed $20.7 million in gifts as part of the university’s $500 million comprehensive campaign.
Before entering professional fundraising, Kevin spent twelve years in executive leadership, including building a comprehensive development operation from the ground up at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at the University of Colorado Boulder. He holds a B.A. from Franciscan University of Steubenville, an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Lateran University, an M.Div. from St. John Vianney Seminary, and an M.Phil. from the Catholic University of America, where he is also a Ph.D. candidate in Medieval Church History. Drawing on his experience in institutional leadership, historical scholarship, and philanthropy, Kevin helps early- and mid-career professionals develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to strengthen mission-driven organizations. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife and five children.
Speakers and Guests May Include
Leaders and practitioners from across the liberty movement and nonprofit sector, including experts in:
- Major gifts and donor stewardship
- Nonprofit leadership and organizational development
- Foundation relations
- Planned and deferred giving
- Fundraising strategy
- Philanthropy and charitable giving
Speaker announcements will be made prior to the start of the fellowship.
Important Dates – 2026
Applications Open: July 24, 2026
Applications Close: September 7 at 11:59 PM ET
Participants Selected: September 14–21, 2026
Class Dates
Mondays (Virtual) | 6:30–8:00 PM ET
- September 28
- October 5
- October 19
- October 26
- November 2
- November 9
No class on October 12 (Columbus Day).
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is designed for liberty-minded young professionals who:
- Work in development, fundraising, advancement, nonprofit management, communications, policy, or advocacy roles
- Work at mission-aligned organizations seeking to strengthen fundraising capacity and long-term sustainability
- Are considering a career in nonprofit development or philanthropy
- Want to build practical fundraising skills while gaining a deeper understanding of private philanthropy’s role in preserving a free society
- Seek to become more effective development professionals and strengthen the institutions advancing liberty
Applicants Will Need to Submit
- A completed application
- A resume
- Responses to short-answer application questions
FAQ
Do I have to be available to participate in all classes?
Yes. To participate, you must attend all sessions and respect all instructors and participants.
What makes a strong candidate for this program?
Strong candidates demonstrate an interest in advancing the principles of liberty, a commitment to professional growth, and a desire to strengthen nonprofit organizations through effective fundraising and donor engagement.
Do I need prior fundraising experience?
No. The fellowship welcomes participants from a variety of professional backgrounds. Whether you currently work in development, communications, policy, advocacy, nonprofit management, or another field, the program is designed to provide both the philosophical foundation and practical skills necessary to become a more effective development professional.
Do I have to reside in the United States to participate?
Yes.
What if I don’t currently work in development?
Many professionals in communications, policy, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy play an important role in fundraising and donor engagement. This fellowship is designed to help participants understand how sustainable development strengthens organizations and advances the ideas of liberty, regardless of their current role.
Who should I contact with questions?
Questions should be directed to Alden at adidio@americasfuture.org.