Lead For America Fellowship

Lead For America

Lead For America works to ensure that our nation’s most dynamic and diverse leaders are working on our communities’ toughest challenges. Our core program is a paid two-year Fellowship for outstanding leaders ages 21-30 to work on the toughest challenges facing local governments and non-profits nationwide, particularly in Fellows’ hometowns and communities struggling to attract and retain talent. 

Why should you apply for the Fellowship?

Get hands on experience tackling the toughest challenges facing our country. From addressing the opioid crisis in Appalachian West Virginia to designing affordable housing policy in East Los Angeles, our Fellows are truly working on the most intractable issues facing our country. And because they work alongside the leadership in the community and are doing the work at the local level, it’s really possible to see progress and lives changed.

Receive training from leading institutions. All Fellows receive 4 weeks of graduate level public administration, leadership and equity training prior to beginning their Fellowships. In our first year, this training was led by partners and staff at the UNC School of Government, the Harvard Kennedy School, Boston University's Initiative on Cities, Tufts University's Tisch College for Civic Life, and Georgetown University's Baker Center for Leadership & Governance. All Fellows also meet up for three retreats over the course of the two years. The most recent retreat was at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

Join a cohort of incredible peers. Our first class of 54 Fellows are serving in more than 40 communities in 21 states nationwide. Over half are people of color, 60% are women, 1/3 are first-generation college students, and more than 40% were pell-grant recipients in college. 1/3 of of our Fellows are also serving in rural communities and towns of less than 10,000 people, adding to the experience of the entire cohort. The class includes Truman, Gates, & Udall Scholars, Marine Corps Veterans, D1 Athletes, and former Student Body Presidents. 

 

Help co-create a growing, national program. Lead For America’s goal is to train, place, and support 50,000 leaders by 2040. We are on track to have more than 130 Fellows in our second year, and to scale up to 1,000 Fellows in the next 4 years. Our Fellows serve at every level of our organization, including our National Board of Directors. Help us shape the program for years to come!

 

Launch your career as a civic leader. Lead For America is less about what happens during the first two years than it is about building a community of lifelong civic leaders. We don’t just say this––we put resources behind it! From a digital alumni network and alumni reunions to training and financial support for alumni who decide to launch nonprofits and businesses or even run for office, we will focus on helping you advance in your leadership and service for the rest of your life.

 

Interested? Learn More and Apply Today!

Learn More: Lead for America Website

Get to Know Us and Ask Your Questions: Schedule a Call with our Team!

Apply Today: Register here by the February 1st and March 1st deadlines to learn more and join the Lead for America 2020 Fellowship cohort. After March 1st, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.