FAQ
Application
Do I need to have experience with broadband to become a Fellow?
No! You don’t have to be a broadband expert to be a great Fellow—all kinds of skills can translate to success in your placement as long as you’re ready to work hard, exercise humility, and learn on the go.
Fellows will receive 1:1 mentorship from technical experts, be matched with advisors, receive monthly office hours and training plenariers, participate in LFA's national Changemaker Summit, and attend quarterly retreats to gain and sharpen skills that will help them in their fellowship.
How many Fellows do you plan to accept?
The American Connection Corps plans to support 50 Fellows across 12 states in 2021.
Can international residents apply?
Due to federal eligibility requirements of our AmeriCorps grant, Lead for America may only accept U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents for admission into the Fellowship. Unfortunately, this means that at the present moment, DACA recipients and OPT students are not eligible for the fellowship.
Can I apply to be a Fellow if I already have a graduate degree or am in the middle of a graduate program?
Yes. Folks who have earned or are in the process of earning graduate degrees may apply for the Fellowship so long as they are legally authorized to work in the US. Applicants who are in the middle of a graduate degree program must be prepared to take a two-year sabbatical from their graduate studies to participate in Lead for America. Please note: the compensation package is the same for all Fellows in a given city, regardless of whether or not they earned a graduate degree before beginning their Fellowship term.
When will I be notified if I was selected as a Finalist?
Lead For America will notify all Finalists of their status within a week after their Finalist interviews. Those invited to be confirmed Finalists will be asked to confirm that they would like to take part in the matching process within seven days of notification, but will not be asked to officially commit to the fellowship until they have been matched with a host. A limited number of Finalists will be selected for a confirmed Finalist waitlist.
Note that confirmed Finalists are not guaranteed a fellowship until they are matched with a community institution that agrees to host them. However, a vast majority of those who are named confirmed Finalists ultimately receive the fellowship.
Can I apply to serve in a community I did not grow up in?
Yes! Applicants for the American Connection Corps must have a strong connection to one of the below states. A strong connection could be: (a) where you were born and/or raised, (b) where your family resides, (c) where you went to, or currently attend, college, (d) somewhere you lived in the past, or (e) a place you are committed to make your home long term.
The following states will be hosting American Connection Corps fellows:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Tennessee
Can I apply if I am not a young professional?
Most of our Fellows are young professionals, and as such, our programming is geared towards this stage in one's professional career. That said, we are simply looking for dynamic and passionate leaders who want to inject energy into, and give back to the community where they have strong ties. We welcome candidates of all ages, so if this program sounds like a good fit for you, feel free to apply today!
I have lived in many different places. Where should I apply to serve?
We completely understand that you have many places you have strong personal connections to. For us, we most want to support you in returning to a place that feels most like home to you, and where you see yourself serving in the long term. Essentially, we would advise you to apply to serve the place where you believe you have the strongest personal tie and could make the biggest impact!
How do I know you received my application?
If you received the confirmation email, then we received your application. If you did not receive a confirmation email in your inbox or in your spam folder within 24 hours of submission, then email info@lead4america.org letting us know.
Fellowship
How does the American Connection Corps Fellowship differ from other Fellowships?
The American Connection Corps will be the nation's largest fellowship program focused on digital inclusion. As part of the national network, ACC Fellows will have access to premiere national training on community organizing, broadband and digital inclusion, and a network of homecomers nationwide. Host communities will be featured in national news outlets, and will help inform the work of the American Connection Project Coalition.
In partnership with Lead For America, the ACC Fellowship strives to cultivate a unique leadership development experience by providing a meaningful professional experience combined with intensive training, mentorship, alumni networking, and an engaged national community. They are working on projects that offer a level of leadership, professional development, and transformational impact largely unmatched by most entry-level job opportunities in the nonprofit, public, and for-profit sectors. What we believe makes this opportunity different is:
Our place-based focus. Each of our Fellows has a pre-existing personal tie to the community they serve, and because of this our Fellows are better equipped both to make a bigger impact in the short term and to stay rooted in their community in the long term.
Our intensive wraparound support. Each of our Fellows receives a one-month pre-fellowship national leadership training, biweekly support calls with a designated program manager (with a Fellow-to-program-manager ratio of 20:1), at least three weekend retreats throughout the two year program (including a graduation ceremony), individualized mentors that are current leaders in their fields, and enrichment funds to participate in conferences, workshops, etc. to promote leadership growth.
Our orientation toward building lifelong community leaders. We believe that what our Fellows do (and where they end up) after their two year fellowship is even more significant than what happens during the program. To this end, we look for candidates who are serious about committing to long-term service to a particular community. We invest significant resources — such as seed funding for running for local office, starting a local non-profit or business, or supporting community ventures, as well as graduate scholarships to MPA and MPP programs — into opportunities for our alumni to continue serving the places that they call home long after their fellowship.
All this being said, we understand that Lead For America’s fellowship program is not for everyone. In case we aren’t the right fit for you, we have compiled a list of service fellowship programs from peer organizations for further reference.
What is the duration of the Fellowship?
The Fellowship service term is two years. We expect that every Fellow also commit to spending four out of the next seven years in their region, two of which are through the Fellowship and the other two are through opportunities co-created by the Host Site and community, Lead For America, and the Fellow.
How does LFA select what organizations to partner with?
We partner with forward-thinking organizations whose leaders are eager to find new ways to engage talent in solving key local challenges and are serious about mentoring, empowering and investing in that talent. We collaborate closely with our Fellow hosts to identify meaningful, high-impact work for Fellows. All of our Fellow hosts invest significant money and time in our program and in our Fellows.
The placements will represent a mix of urban, suburban, and rural locations, and can be part of local governments or civically oriented non-profits. All placements must involve working with public institutions, engaging meaningfully with the local community, and must be strictly non-partisan.
Will I be working with other Fellows in my placement?
A majority of Fellows work in communities without other Fellows. However, some communities will have more than once ACC Fellow, in which meetups and collaboration will be encouraged. It is possible that some ACC Fellows will be in the same communities, or closeby to other LFA Fellows who they can connect with.
Can I have other employment during the fellowship?
Because the fellowship experience is very intensive and we hope that Fellows can focus as much of their time as possible on impacting their communities, Fellows typically do not hold simultaneous employment. The living scholarship, housing scholarship, and other Fellowship benefits are calibrated to cover all living costs during the Fellowship experience, and additional financial scholarships are also available in special circumstances. However, we understand that each individual's context is unique, and we are happy to support Fellows in part-time jobs when needed to support the full nourishment and well-being of the Fellow.
Can I attend school during the fellowship?
Fellows may decide to complete additional certification programs or courses through one of our academic or strategic partners, or through other programs of their choosing. This may include working towards an online or part-time MPA program or any number of weekend part-time training courses. That being said, Fellows are expected to consult both their host government and LFA before making this decision.
Does the Lead For America Fellowship program qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
Lead For America Fellows who participate in one of Lead For America’s AmeriCorps programs qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. To date, that has only included the Lead For Minnesota program, but starting with the 2020/2021 cohort, each of Lead For America’s other programs are also applying for AmeriCorps grants, which if received, would qualify new Fellows for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as well. Lead For America will receive a decision on all AmeriCorps grants by May 2021.
What is life like after the fellowship?
In order to cultivate transformational community leaders in the long term, Lead For America believes that making a deep, sustained investment in the development of our alumni will reap exponential change for our leaders, their communities, and society more broadly. Beyond building a burgeoning alumni community that includes graduate scholarships (including the ones listed
here), professional development trainings, systematized network building and job advocacy, regional alumni chapters, and national alumni interest groups, we also plan to provide up to $5,000 in startup grants to alumni who are catalyzing locally rooted changemaking work (e.g. starting a local business or non-profit, leading a community initiative, etc.). Alumni, like Fellows, are also encouraged to participate in the strategic decision-making of Lead For America, both within regional affiliates and at the national level.
We view our fellowship as the first step in a lifelong commitment to and participation in the Lead For America community, and strive to build a thick culture of connection, inspiration, and empowerment for alumni across all cohorts.
When and how will I be matched with my host community?
During the application process, we will ask you to indicate which state(s) you would like to serve in, and ask you to share your connection to the state in your application form. If selected as an Endorsed Finalist, LFA will set up a match interview with you and a site partner in the state to which you applied, taking in further geographic preference, connection, and overall fit to the host site culture. You will receive the full project scope for that specific host site ahead of your interview.
From the matching interview, both the host site supervisor and the Fellow will decide on whether they would like to confirm their match. Endorsed Finalists can expect to have between 1-3 host site match interviews, and will be asked their rank choice preference of site placements. We try our best to honor the candidate's top choice, and almost always place Fellows in one of their top three site choices.
Selection
What does the application process entail?
First Round
In the first round of the application, you will complete a two-page application with your demographic and academic information, a resume/CV, your geographic preferences, and a 250 word short answer response focused on your interest in or connection to the proposed host community. This is due by May 15th, 2021.
Semifinalist
In the Semifinalist round, you will submit a public narrative video. If the candidate is named an Endorsed Finalist, this video will be sent to potential hosts given permission from the candidate.
Finalist
In the Finalist round, you will be invited for a video interview and a chance to meet the LFA team. Finalists will also be asked to submit two recommendations and a personal bio.
Confirmed Finalists
After the Finalist interviews, LFA will announce the selection of LFA confirmed Finalists. These confirmed Finalists will have been given an unreserved endorsement by LFA. Pending a successful interview, funding, and confirmation by a host organization of interest, the Endorsed Finalist will be named a Fellow. The process of becoming a Fellow after being named an Endorsed Finalist varies slightly for our different tracks, but always includes an interview with a host partner before the placement can be fully confirmed.
What are the qualities of an ideal candidate?
Our Fellows are catalysts for a much larger revitalization and are deeply committed to supporting their community’s flourishing. To be a Lead For America Fellow is to deeply commit to another way of moving through the world.
All backgrounds, experiences and skills can help Fellows be effective during their two years and beyond. That being said, there are a few things we look for in every Fellow. Integrity. Humility. A deep commitment to a life of selflessness and community service. A willingness to learn and co-create the fellowship experience. A genuine excitement for being part of a much larger movement.
Our Fellows are excited to address the root challenge of disconnection to community. Fellows are selected for their dedication, de-centering of self, and willingness to full-heartedly dive into a commitment to others. They become catalysts for place-based initiatives, entrepreneurial social ventures, and community hubs to broaden and deepen local connection.
Beyond the above characteristics, we look for candidates that can demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, a profound commitment to serving others, and a tremendous passion for a particular place they hope to serve long term.
LFA is committed to selecting a diverse cohort to: 1) ensure that underrepresented voices are being lifted up in community leadership positions to promote equitable decision-making; 2) strengthen the cohort experience by catalyzing profound learning from one another’s rich experiences and perspectives; 3) ensure that our fellowship is representative of the incredible heterogeneity of our country. Note that, while we strive for diversity in these ways, all Fellows must fully align with our values to join our community. Historically, fewer Asian American candidates, as well as candidates from moderate or conservative ideological orientations, have applied for the fellowship, and for the reasons above, we hope to encourage more candidates from these backgrounds to apply.
Financial
What benefits do Fellows receive? How much do they get paid?
As a Fellow, you're going to be pushed and you're going to be challenged. But you're also going to have access to world-class training, a community of like-minded peers, a national network of public service leaders, and a staff that will be asking for your advice on how best to shape this program. Most importantly, you're going to be doing work that really matters. We're excited to meet you and create this experience together.
BENEFITS
NOTE: For those wishing to learn more about scholarship calculations, see the section below!
Beyond a paid scholarship, Fellows receive leadership development training, graduate scholarships, alumni grants, and professional support (estimated at $25k+/year in value), including:
-Two weeks of all expenses paid in-person summits and retreats where you will learn alongside professionals, academics, and social sector leaders across a multitude of fields, and receive leadership development, equity, and character-building training. In past years, the training has included 100+ speakers from all over the country, including Brookings Institution Centennial Scholar Bruce Katz, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Amanda Nguyen, and the nationally renowned Mayor of Ithaca Svante Myrick. Training also includes three in-person retreats spread over the two year fellowship that ground your work in real community success stories. For 2021 Fellows, the training will begin with a 10 day summit in partnership with Pepperdine University, Purdue University, Tisch College, the Rural Studies Institute, and Urban Rural Action.
-Biweekly calls with an LFA staff member for professional and emotional support.
-An Employee Assistance Program that provides legal, financial, tax, and mental health resources.
-A hand-selected mentor who is a leader in their field, tailored to Fellows’ personal aspirations.
-Alumni graduate scholarships to a growing
list of top MPA and MPP schools, including the Fels Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown.
-Grants of up to $5k for alumni to launch entrepreneurial initiatives to serve their community.
-Complimentary attendance at relevant leadership development and public administration conferences.
-Free workshops, webinars, monthly speaker series, and other events provided through LFA’s virtual Luminary Network.
-A community of some of the most talented, passionate, and dynamic changemakers in the country.
SCHOLARSHIP
Beyond the benefits, we are committed to making our fellowship as financially accessible as we can afford. As a service program that receives funding from under-resourced communities, our Fellows generally do not receive as much funding as they could in the private sector, but we do our best to ensure that everyone receives what is needed to cover their cost of living, and much more than most other service programs. In addition, as we continue developing our financial capacity, we hope to be in a position to increase our scholarship package over time.
After consulting with dozens of peer service year programs, we have concluded that the AmeriCorps VISTA stipend, the required scholarship amount for the federal service program, can be challenging for many individuals to live on when they must also pay for housing and health care costs. To ensure that our program is financially accessible for leaders of all income backgrounds, each year we provide the equivalent of the AmeriCorps VISTA stipend as a baseline scholarship, and also pay for the costs of housing and health care for those Fellows who are not able to cover those costs through in-kind support, such as living with family, parental health insurance, etc.
For Fellows starting in August 2021, we are also excited to share that, due to a federal grant, we are able to provide a one-time stipend increase of $2,500 that will increase the first year scholarship for all Fellows not already receiving a stipend increase. This funding will also allow us to be more generous with financial aid for Fellows who may have special personal circumstances that would prevent them from participating without additional support.
Lead For America strives to provide all Fellows with the funds needed to ensure that the program is sustainable for people of all incomes, and we are committed to working thoughtfully and compassionately with all candidates who need more support to see what is possible through our financial aid fund.
SCHOLARSHIP CALCULATIONS
NOTE: Lead For North Carolina Fellows receive $28,000/year as salaried employees, and paid time off for all state/national holidays along with three additional paid days off. The below information applies to all other Lead For America Fellows.
To calculate the baseline annual scholarship, we first take the equivalent of the AmeriCorps VISTA living stipend by county (we multiply the "VISTA Bi-Weekly Living Allowance (full 14 days of service)" from this chart by 26). Then, for those Fellows who are unable to secure in-kind housing (e.g. from parents, their host, etc.), we add in the Housing amount estimated for that city on the MIT Living Wage Calculator (if the city is not listed on the MIT Living Wage Calculator, we use the amount listed for the county where the city resides). For those Fellows who are not on parental or spousal insurance and need to pay for their own medical costs, health insurance premiums will be reimbursed up to the amount estimated for Medical Expenses for that city/county on the MIT Living Wage Calculator. For those with children, LFA will work with them to provide an additional financial scholarship based on that candidate's needs.
Please note that, in places with especially high costs of living, the scholarship amount calculated using the above process provides a scholarship amount that double counts for the cost of housing (in these communities, the AmeriCorps VISTA stipend amount is significantly higher to account for housing costs beyond other living expenses). For this reason, if the scholarship calculated above is greater than $30,000, then the total scholarship will be recalibrated to equal the MIT Living Wage Calculator's Required Annual Income After Taxes.
SCHOLARSHIP CALCULATION EXAMPLES
(VISTA Bi-Weekly Living Allowance for intended community of service x 26) + (MIT Living Wage "Housing" Calculation) = Baseline Scholarship
For Fellows looking to serve in Austin, TX (Travis County) would receive a scholarship amount of (Travis County Bi-Weekly Living Allowance $587.30 x 26 or $15269.80) + (Austin Housing Calculation $11,856) = $27,125. For Fellows starting in August 2021, due to a one-time stipend increase, this would increase to $29,625 for the first year of the fellowship.
For Fellows looking to serve in Arcata, CA (Humboldt County) would receive a scholarship amount of (Humboldt County Bi-Weekly Living Allowance $513.94 x 26 or $13,362.44) + (Humboldt County Housing Calculation $8,244) = $21,606.44. For Fellows starting in August 2021, due to a one-time stipend increase, this would increase to $24,106.44 for the first year of the fellowship.
What if I need more than the baseline scholarship amount to participate in the fellowship?
LFA aims to meet demonstrated financial need to the greatest extent possible with the aspiration of making the fellowship fully accessible to people of all income backgrounds. While we know we may not attain this goal in all cases, we have designed a financial aid process based on the lived experiences of dozens of past Fellows.
Once selected as Endorsed Finalists, Fellows are expected before the matching process begins to share any outstanding financial concerns via a financial aid form. This form includes a line item annual budget and a budget narrative to describe financial need. Qualifying expenses may include, but are not limited to: necessary transportation costs, medical expenses (not including premiums), student loans, familial financial obligations (i.e. child support, care for a family member etc), and basic personal care costs. LFA will not provide a financial scholarship for housing costs beyond what is listed in the
MIT Living Wage Calculator for the Fellow’s community. For those Fellows who pay for their own health care premiums, these costs will solely be paid in the form of monthly reimbursements up to the amount listed in the MIT Living Wage Calculator for the Fellow’s community, and will not increase monthly scholarship payments.
The financial scholarship form will be reviewed by LFA staff, who will compare the form with current budgetary constraints. Based on this analysis, LFA staff will notify the Fellow of the new scholarship amount (if any change is to be made), LFA and the Fellow will sign a revised agreement acknowledging the changes, and the new scholarship amount will be requested from external stakeholders during the fundraising and budgeting process.
Upon the signing of the budget, Fellows agree to the budget and understand that this amount is what LFA commits to pay them over the course of two years. Any additional funding is very limited and happens only in exceptional circumstances.
In cases of dramatic changes to a Fellows’ financial circumstances during the fellowship, LFA may be able to offer scholarship funding to help a Fellow get back on their feet and live sustainably. In these cases, LFA prioritizes support for 1) Fellows who are from low-income backgrounds and have additional financial obligations (i.e. are taking care of family members) and 2) would be unable to continue the fellowship without help.
In these cases LFA may be able to support through a financial scholarship up to $3k over the course of several months. This scholarship is intended to support Fellows with immediate costs to help them get back to a place of financial sustainability. If a Fellow requires a longer-term adjustment to their stipend, LFA will have another conversation prior to the end of the scholarship period to determine long term financial need and discuss possible routes forward.
