Across the globe, communities are facing unprecedented challenges. Climate change accelerates disasters, violent conflict destabilizes regions, and billions of people still live in poverty. While these crises vary in form, they share one truth: lasting solutions require bold, locally rooted leadership.
Mountaintop International exists to meet this moment. By investing in the people closest to the challenge, the organization helps communities unlock their own power to lead, heal, and thrive.
The Global Leadership Gap Holding Communities Back
Although local leaders are best positioned to drive change, they often face the greatest obstacles. In fact, from tribal nations in North America to informal settlements across Africa, the pattern remains the same.
First, leaders with the greatest potential receive the least investment. Only a small fraction of global development funding reaches grassroots and community-based leaders. As a result, high-impact ideas struggle to grow.
Second, access remains deeply unequal. Many local leaders are locked out of leadership training, professional mentorship, and global networks that could multiply their impact. Without these tools, even the most committed changemakers face uphill battles.
Until the world chooses to invest in leaders with lived experience, trusted relationships, and deep community roots, progress will remain slow and communities will continue to suffer.
Mountaintop International’s Approach: Building Human Infrastructure
Rather than focusing only on programs or policies, Mountaintop International takes a different path. The organization builds what it calls “human infrastructure” the inner capacity of people and communities to lead their own development.
As a nonprofit organization, Mountaintop works alongside individuals, mission-driven organizations, and public institutions to strengthen leadership at every level. More importantly, it helps leaders grow not only in skill, but also in values, purpose, and resilience.
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mountaintop speech, the organization champions a global movement that puts people first. In doing so, it empowers every community to shape its own future.
The Mountaintop Fellowships: Investing in Local Leaders Who Deliver Change
At the heart of this work are the Mountaintop Fellowships, which support some of the world’s most promising local leaders working in low-income communities.
Through these fellowships, participants receive:
- World-class leadership training at institutions such as the Harvard Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics and the NYU Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing
- One-on-one mentorship and professional coaching tailored to each leader’s goals
- Ongoing access to funding opportunities, global visibility, and a powerful peer network
Importantly, Mountaintop offers multiple fellowship tracks. These tracks serve everyone from emerging grassroots organizers to senior business executives. Despite their different paths, all Fellows share one commitment: deep accountability to the communities they call home.
Real Impact, Measured Results
Mountaintop International does not measure success in theory alone. Instead, it tracks real-world outcomes that demonstrate lasting transformation.
To date, the organization has achieved:
- 20,000+ applicants from 179 countries, highlighting strong global demand
- Fellows across the U.S. and 17 countries, spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe
- Training from global leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi
- 100% of Fellows and alumni reporting a significant or transformative impact on their leadership journey
- Perfect Net Promoter Scores of 100 for the two most recent fellowships
- A 50% increase in revenue and 46% staff growth among the most recent graduating Fellow cohort
These outcomes show what happens when leadership investment meets local insight.
Trusted Partners Strengthening the Ecosystem
Mountaintop International collaborates with respected institutions that share its commitment to ethical, purpose-driven leadership. These partners include:
- Edmond & Lily Safra Foundation
- NYU Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing
- Trinity Church Wall Street
Together, they help strengthen a global ecosystem dedicated to people-centered development.
Join the Movement Toward Locally Led Change
Transformational leadership does not emerge by accident. It grows when communities invest in their own people and when global partners choose to stand beside them.
Mountaintop International invites supporters, partners, and emerging leaders to be part of this work. Whether through fellowships, partnerships, or philanthropy, every contribution helps unlock leadership where it matters most.
Read the 2025 Annual Report to explore the full impact.
Subscribe to the newsletter for updates on Fellows, programs, and global insights.
Together, we can build a future where every community has the leadership it needs to flourish.
APhttps://www.mountaintop.international/emerging-leaders-fellowship
