+ WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS?

The CCI Fellowship is a very time-intensive program that moves at an accelerated pace. We know that time is a community leader’s greatest asset, so we do as much as we can to maximize learning, exposure, and coaching within the timeframe of the program. If accepted, Fellows should expect to commit approximately 20-25 hours in total, per month for Fellowship activities. All CCI Fellows are required to participate in and/or complete:

• Intake interviews
• Three-day orientation weekend, from April 12 to April 14, 2024
• 10 training sessions from April to September 2024
• Monthly office hours and coaching sessions with mentors, peer advisors, and trainers
• Monthly community sessions, study groups, and wellness activities
• Exercises and evaluations in between trainings and coaching sessions
• Showcase event and rehearsal the week of September 21, 2024
• Pilot testing experience during program (July 2024)
• Pitch practice sessions in August and September 2024
• Exit interviews and closing dinner (October 2024)

+ WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FELLOWSHIP?

This program is for civic leaders, entrepreneurs, or movement builders in Atlanta with demonstrable experience in addressing the impacts of social and economic inequality in Atlanta. This year we are specifically looking for leaders with experiences in advancing safety and justice, education, and/or democracy. This program is not intended for ideas-stage work. The 2024 Fellowship will focus on supporting community leaders with interventions in three key areas: safety and justice, education, and democracy. More about the three areas can be found on our fellowship website.

• Safety & Justice - reducing violence and advocating for the people and families impacted by it
• Education - supporting the advancement and wellbeing of students, teachers, administrators and parents
• Democracy & Civic Engagement - ensuring that people are informed, engaged, and at the center of decision making during, and more importantly, outside of elections

In addition the following requirements also must be met to be considered for the Fellowship:

• Must be a founder, co-founder, or executive director of your organization
• Must have an incorporated organization based in Metro Atlanta– with preference for organizations primarily working in the city of Atlanta or Fulton and DeKalb Counties
• The organization’s budget must be less than $500,000
• The Fellow must have at least 3 years of experience working in safety and justice, education, and/or democracy
• Must be 18+ years old

If your organization has more than one founder/director, you may only submit one (1) application.

+ WHAT KIND OF LEADER IS THIS FELLOWSHIP FOR?

• Civic leaders, entrepreneurs, or movement builders in Atlanta with 3+ years of demonstrable experience in addressing the impacts of social and economic inequality in Atlanta;
• Fellows have lived and/or professional experience with the challenge their organization is addressing
• Fellows have a clear understanding and a commitment to the communities their work is in service to and with;
• Fellows have an interest in scaling the impact of the work (scale does not mean franchising or expanding to multiple cities; it simply means creating more impact for the people you are reaching);
• Fellows are willing to work with others in order to scale and grow;
• Fellows double down on the things that are working, but are also willing to change the things that are not working;
• Fellows have the time and energy to be open-minded about the work(Please see the tentative program timeline) Fellows desire a community of peers and are willing to share with, and learn from them;
• Fellows want peers to succeed. This work can sometimes get competitive, but this program is non-competitive - we believe in collaboration over competition. The only way to accomplish effective change is together. Fellows are always rooting for their peers to win and succeed;
• Fellows are ready to learn. This experience will in some ways validate, but in many ways, it will challenge Fellows.

+ DOES MY ORGANIZATION HAVE TO BE A NON-PROFIT?

No, our program works with all mission-driven business models – non-profit, for-profit, or a hybrid.

+ OUR ORGANIZATION HAS MORE THAN ONE FOUNDER OR DIRECTOR, CAN WE BOTH PARTICIPATE?

Organizations with more than one leader will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This program is not designed for organizations with more than two leaders. Leaders must have equal decision-making power in the organization.

+ HOW IS THE FELLOWSHIP FUNDED?

The Center for Civic Innovation received unrestricted dollars from mission-aligned investors and organizations to provide stipends and offset the operations costs to run the program. Funders of this program are not permitted to participate in the Fellowship decision-making process nor curriculum design. Any expectations or voluntary opportunities from grant partners are explicitly shared with program participants and are never mandatory for participation in the program. All Funders are invited to participate in our closing showcase and we encourage them to connect directly with program participants.

+ WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE FELLOWSHIP?

20-25 hours per month.. This includes the monthly learning sessions, small study group sessions, 1:1 coaching sessions, reporting, meeting with your peer mentor, and networking with other fellows, etc.

+ HOW ARE THE TRAININGS STRUCTURED? WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL WILL BE COVERED?

The training sessions are typically all-day engagements (10am to 5pm).The monthly study groups (2-3 hours) will be scheduled for the evening. Mentoring and coaching sessions are completed on a 1:1 and small group basis, and are scheduled as needed between the trainer(s) and the fellows.

The program curriculum is centered around creating scalable, proven interventions to the challenges fellows are committed to addressing.

+ IF I APPLY, WHO WILL BE READING MY APPLICATION MATERIALS?

The initial application review will be assessed by CCI staff familiar with the Fellowship program, as well as members of selection committee made up of a small group of alumni and community partners.

+ IF I’VE PREVIOUSLY APPLIED AND WASN’T SELECTED, CAN I APPLY AGAIN?

Yes! We welcome you to apply again! Please make sure you are working on an intervention in one of the three focus areas.

+ WILL THE FELLOWSHIP BE VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON?

In-person

+ WHAT HEALTH PRECAUTIONS DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE?

We know that COVID is alive and well, so we ask Fellows to please not attend if they are displaying signs/symptoms of COVID-19 (these typically include fever, cough, and shortness of breath). We also ask to be notified immediately if a Fellow or someone they have been in direct contact with contracts COVID. CCI will always provide hand sanitizers and masks. We will continue to take any and all precautions to ensure the safety of all participants. CCI will adhere to any CDC, city, state, and/or federal guidelines concerning in-person gatherings.

+ WHEN DID THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM BEGIN?

CCI's Fellowship Program began in 2015. Over the past 9 years, we've tried varying formats and approaches to continuously strengthen our delivery.

+ HOW MANY FELLOWS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM?

Over 100 Fellows have successfully completed the program thus far.

+ DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN ATLANTA?

This program aims to support leaders who serve the Metro Atlanta area, with a preference for organizations primarily working in Fulton & DeKalb Counties. We do account for Fellows who also live in the community they serve, but that is not required.

+ IS THERE A COST TO PARTICIPATE?

No. The entire participation cost (which is valued at $60,000-$100,000 per participant) is covered for the participant.This covers instruction, curriculum development, materials, and technology.

+ IS THERE A STIPEND?

We also offer a modest stipend to offset the costs of participation (technology, childcare, transportation, etc.), self-care, and to be used for pilot testing new approaches to your work. This stipend varies by year, but ranges between $5,000-$10,000.

+ DO I HAVE TO BE WORKING FOR MY ORGANIZATION FULL-TIME?

No, but you need to have the ability to put 20-25 hours per month towards training and coaching, in addition to actually executing on the work day to day. But we also understand that you have to pay the bills, so it’s reasonable if you have another job or gigs.

+ WHEN DO WRITTEN APPLICATIONS CLOSE?

January 21, 2024 11:59pm ET

+ WHAT IF I HAVE A LEARNING OR ACCESSIBILITY ISSUE WITH THIS APPLICATION?

We are more than happy to provide alternatives on a case-by-case basis. Please email us as soon as possible at fellowship@civicatlanta.org.

+ WHEN DO INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE?

Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place in February 2024. We are not able to offer an interview to all applicants due to the volume of applications we receive.

+ WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I AM SELECTED AS A FELLOW?

March 15, 2024

+ WHEN DO CLASSES START?

April 2024. Exact date will be provided to finalists. Classes often fall on Wednesdays.

+ WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM END?

September 2024. Exact date will be provided to finalists.

+ IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS WHO SHOULD I REACH OUT TO?

We would love to address your questions — please send them to fellowship@civicatlanta.org