FUSE fellows are responsible for developing tangible solutions to difficult problems. They have one year to produce transformational change, which is a significant responsibility, but they are not given traditional forms of authority, such as direct reports or budget control. They must quickly build trust-based relationships with numerous stakeholders who might have divergent opinions about … Continued
This story was produced in partnership with Next City. On a sparsely developed corner, on Skid Row in Los Angeles, where tent cities sometimes stretch the length of entire blocks, a line is forming outside a storage facility known as The Bin. At 8 a.m. most mornings, local residents wait outside the building’s entrance to access … Continued
Weathering climate change, revitalizing cities with an equity lens, using police cameras to deter crime, and reconciling the difference between poverty in rural and urban communities were a few of the topics discussed at The New York Times Cities for Tomorrow conference last week, held in New Orleans. Mayors and civic leaders from across the country … Continued
At FUSE, we are often asked how we develop our fellowship projects. The process is a partnership from beginning to end. Each FUSE fellowship begins with a conversation. Six months before a fellowship commences, our team starts engaging with government leaders around the country to learn about the problems facing their communities, and to explore … Continued
FUSE projects are crafted with the primary goal of making life better for people in the communities we serve. That overarching objective infuses just about every aspect of our fellowships, from project conception and design, all the way through to implementation of a new strategy. But, as with most organizations that navigate complex challenges, our … Continued
Last month, 41 committed leaders embarked on their journey to dedicate a year of their lives to public service through the FUSE fellowship program. They’re prepared to tackle the toughest issues in communities across the country, from bail reform to homelessness and affordable housing to inclusive economic and workforce development. We talked to these talented changemakers … Continued
On any given night in Los Angeles County, more than 53,000 people seek a place to sleep. Though that number has actually dropped from previous years, structural factors persist, including climbing unemployment, stagnant wages, and insufficient affordable housing. To help address the issue, Los Angeles County is investing in two key resources: funding for housing and … Continued
Last August, New Orleans weathered one of the worst flooding events since Hurricane Katrina, a record-breaking rain that tested the city’s pumping and drainage system. Within a year, New Orleans has made huge strides toward rebuilding its civic infrastructure with the help of Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) and other city agencies. … Continued
For students from low-income families, money is often a prohibitive barrier to entering and completing college. At the same time, however, many students struggle to access the federal resources that are available to help make college more affordable. In 1965, the United States created the Pell Grant program to help provide qualifying students with access … Continued