The Rockefeller Foundation has launched its inaugural cohort of U.S. Big Bets Fellows — 12 changemakers advancing bold solutions to strengthen communities from coast to coast, including in Alaska, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Over a four-month fellowship, these leaders will engage in curated programming, peer networking, and professional development designed to help them scale their efforts in driving inclusive economic growth and building healthier, more resilient systems across the country.

Meet the 2025 U.S. Big Bets Fellows and read more about their project’s big bet and their intended benefitting regions, below:

Across the country, communities are grappling with challenges like limited access to quality jobs, rising costs of living, and food insecurity. The 2025 U.S. Big Bets Fellows are confronting these issues head-on, channeling American ingenuity into bold, locally driven solutions tailored to their communities’ needs.