If you are an experienced professional looking for a challenge that engages your experience and values, and that improves lives in a community, apply to be a FUSE Executive Fellow.
Fellowship Openings
Our government partners are working to address pressing challenges facing their communities. Experienced leaders want to leverage their skills and experience for meaningful change. We bring them together through an executive fellowship program that increases the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities.
Over 12 months, FUSE Executive Fellows are embedded in local government agencies. Working in partnership with local leaders, they bring new approaches, diverse perspectives, and lift up community-based solutions. To accelerate fellows’ impact, we provide training and capacity building in change management, human-centered design, government operations, and other important topics.
Albuquerque, NM Preserving Agricultural Land Through Community Engagement
Bernalillo County, New Mexico is working to preserve agricultural land and expand access to land-based opportunities. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop and implement strategic recommendations to strengthen landowner-grower connections, enhance public outreach, and support inclusive engagement practices within the Assessor’s Office. Ultimately, this will help Bernalillo County protect its agricultural heritage, foster intergenerational land stewardship, and build a more resilient and community-centered local food system.
Austin, TX Advancing Economic Mobility Through Housing Access
Austin, Texas is working to improve how its housing programs advance economic mobility and expand access to long-term financial opportunity for all residents. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop data-driven strategies to evaluate program effectiveness, strengthen housing initiatives, and explore sustainable financing models to support first-time homebuyers and income-restricted renters. Ultimately, this will help Austin enhance its housing system, support upward mobility, and foster a more inclusive and financially resilient community.
Austin, TX Advancing Economic Opportunity through Place-Based Resilience Strategies
Austin, Texas is working to implement economic resilience strategies that address longstanding disparities in access to opportunity and small business support across its communities. The FUSE Executive Fellow will help the city pilot and scale these strategies by coordinating cross-sector efforts and developing tools for long-term implementation. Ultimately, this will help Austin strengthen economic mobility, expand access to services, and foster a more inclusive and resilient local economy.
Baltimore, MD Expanding Access to Capital for Small Businesses
The City of Baltimore is working to expand access to capital for small businesses, with a focus on historically underserved communities, to address longstanding funding challenges and promote sustainable economic growth. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to improve financial accessibility, strengthen partnerships with lenders, and design innovative funding models that increase business sustainability. Ultimately, this will help Baltimore close capital access gaps for all entrepreneurs, particularly those from historically underserved communities, fostering a more resilient small business ecosystem.
Birmingham, AL Catalyzing Economic Mobility through Quality Affordable, Accessible Child Care
The City of Birmingham aims to catalyze economic mobility for underserved communities by scaling quality, affordable, and accessible child care. The City is pursuing an innovative ecosystem approach that unites families, workers, childcare entrepreneurs, government, and businesses across the region. The FUSE Executive Fellow will implement critical components of the City’s comprehensive childcare strategy and strengthen the economic justification for continued investment. As a result of this work, residents will have access to quality, affordable childcare – removing barriers to employment, supporting small business growth, and strengthening the city’s economy.
Birmingham, AL Expanding Affordable Housing through Strategic Development
Birmingham, Alabama, is working to expand high-quality, affordable housing to promote economic mobility and community revitalization. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a strategic framework, strengthen partnerships, and implement pilot projects to accelerate housing development through the Magic City Housing Development Corporation. Ultimately, this work will increase housing accessibility, attract sustainable investment, and create long-term stability for Birmingham residents.
Boston, MA Making Boston a Home for Every Child
Boston envisions a city where all families can access the educational, recreational, health, and community resources their children need to succeed both in and out of school. The FUSE Executive Fellow will lead strategic project management for the Boston Children’s Council, coordinating work across departments, including policies, programs and initiatives developed for young people from cradle to career. This work also includes implementation of three key initiatives: the city-wide Connect, Learn, Explore program; neighborhoods of opportunity beginning with Mattapan; and city-wide heat resilience programs for early childhood. As a result of this work, more Boston families will have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Fresno, CA Building Organizational Capacity to Expand Healthcare Access
Due to Medi-Cal updates, Fresno County residents can access healthcare from eligible community-based organizations. Fresno County partners aim to equip these organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to participate in this opportunity. The Executive Fellow will support this work by developing tools, education programs, and relationships necessary to build organizations’ capacity. As a result of this work, Fresno residents from all backgrounds will be able to access quality care through this community-based health model.
Fresno, CA Catalyzing Economic Opportunity in Complex Housing Benefits Landscapes
Fresno Housing develops and manages affordable housing across the County and equips residents with services to access economic opportunity. The FUSE Executive Fellow will strengthen residents’ economic mobility by embedding evidence-based, outcome-driven programs and practices into Fresno Housing’s work. As a result, front-line workers and affordable housing residents will feel empowered to develop strategies to pursue education or training and grow their incomes while preserving benefits until they are ready to move to new homes.
Kansas City, MO Aligning Philanthropic Engagement for Community Development
Kansas City, MO, is working to strengthen its philanthropic engagement strategy to better align long-term investments with key municipal priorities. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a comprehensive engagement plan, build cross-sector partnerships, and create investment briefs for high-impact city initiatives such as housing access, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization. Ultimately, this will help Kansas City attract sustained philanthropic support, expand economic opportunity, and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Location Based on Fellowship Opportunity, US FUSE Executive Fellow General Application
The FUSE Executive Fellowship is an opportunity to do transformational work addressing pressing challenges in communities. For 12 months, FUSE Executive Fellows work within local government to bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to a specific project. Each fellowship is designed to leverage private sector experience to deliver results that have a lasting impact.
Los Angeles, CA Advancing Decarceration through Community-Based Care (Facilities and Operations)
Los Angeles County has a vision for a justice system that promotes a “Care First, Jail Last” approach. Rather than relying on incarceration as the primary response, the County will safely and methodically depopulate the County jail and invest in community-based services that address root causes of justice involvement. In June 2021, the County committed to closing Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) and enhancing the community continuum of care. The Executive Fellow will support this goal by developing and advancing a jail closure implementation plan. As a result of this work, justice-affected Angelenos will access opportunities and care rather than incarceration.
Los Angeles, CA Advancing Decarceration through Community-Based Care (Systems of Care)
Los Angeles County has a vision for a justice system that promotes a “Care First, Jail Last” approach. Rather than relying on incarceration as the primary response, the County will safely and methodically depopulate the County jail and invest in community-based services that address root causes of justice involvement. In June 2021, the County committed to closing Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) and enhancing the community continuum of care. The Executive Fellow will support this goal by developing and advancing a jail closure implementation plan. As a result of this work, justice-affected Angelenos will access opportunities and care rather than incarceration.
New York, NY Scaling City-Affiliated Nonprofit for NYC Small Business Growth
New York City is working to expand the capacity of the New York Business Assistance Corporation (NYBAC), an affiliated nonprofit of their Department of Small Business Services (SBS) division that supports small business and workforce development through philanthropic partnerships. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a strategic plan, revise governance structure, and design a sustainable fundraising strategy for NYBAC. Ultimately, this will help SBS increase access to resources for entrepreneurs and workers, strengthen public-private collaboration, and support comprehensive economic growth across all five boroughs.
Philadelphia, PA Expanding Affordable Housing Supply for First-Time Homebuyers
The City of Philadelphia is working to expand comprehensive first-time homeownership opportunities and increase housing supply through multiple innovative housing programs, such as the Turn the Key Neighborhoods Program, which transforms vacant, city-owned lots into affordable homes. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work with a team of content experts to develop strategic recommendations and pilot solutions to strengthen and scale up city operations and programs, addressing land acquisition and disposition challenges, permitting and zoning barriers, and developer capacity. This will support Philadelphia’s broader strategy to deliver 30,000 affordable housing units by 2030, increasing the supply of affordable housing, reducing racial disparities in homeownership, and promoting long-term neighborhood stability and economic mobility in historically underserved communities.
Phoenix, AZ Advancing Sustainability through Circular Economy Infrastructure Development
Phoenix, Arizona is working to expand its Resource Innovation Campus (RIC) to advance renewable materials recovery and support citywide sustainability goals. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to guide the next phase of RIC development, including tenant attraction, pilot project implementation, and performance tracking. This will support the city’s efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and support the development of a more sustainable and resilient local economy.
Phoenix, AZ Advancing Sustainability through City-Wide Fleet Modernization
The City of Phoenix (City) is working to transition its municipal fleet to low-emission and alternative-fuel vehicles as part of its broader climate and sustainability commitments. The FUSE Executive Fellow will lead the development of a strategic roadmap to guide this transition, with a focus on operational efficiency, infrastructure planning, and workforce readiness. This work will help the City meet its climate goals, reduce air pollution, and ensure city operations remain cost-effective, reliable, and responsive to the needs of all communities.
Phoenix, AZ Deploying Energy Resilience Solutions in Aviation
The City of Phoenix Aviation Department (AVN) is working to implement clean energy solutions throughout the airport system, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), Deer Valley (DVT), and Goodyear airports to increase resilience, reduce emissions, and support long-term climate goals. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work to develop a strategic roadmap for deploying clean energy solutions, such as on-site energy storage and microgrid infrastructure. This work will help AVN strengthen operational resilience, advance clean energy adoption, and deliver long-term benefits to airport workers, travelers, and surrounding communities.
Phoenix, AZ Strategic Expansion of Municipal Solar Infrastructure
The City of Phoenix is working to achieve carbon neutrality for municipal properties by optimizing existing solar assets and expanding renewable energy capacity. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a comprehensive business case and strategic plan to transition solar assets to City ownership and identify new development opportunities on underutilized properties. Ultimately, this will help Phoenix reduce greenhouse gas emissions, maximize its solar potential, and build a more sustainable and resilient energy future for all residents.
San Diego, CA Advancing Regenerative Agriculture for Climate Resilience
The County of San Diego (COSD) is working to develop and implement multiple agricultural-related activities identified in the COSD’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, improve soil health, and strengthen local food systems. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support and lead the development and implementation of a program that expands access to climate-smart agricultural practices for producers, coordinate an incentive program to encourage agricultural producers to transition to more energy and fuel-efficient equipment, and promote resources and programs for reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and increase alternative manure management methods. Ultimately, this will help the COSD achieve its CAP goals, support sustainable agriculture, invest in agricultural producers, and foster a more resilient and inclusive farming community.
Tucson, AZ Advancing Community Empowerment through Solar Energy Access
Tucson, Arizona, is working to build a Solar Empowerment Program to provide low-income households with greater access to affordable, renewable energy solutions. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop strategic recommendations to scale the program, leveraging federal Solar for All funds and ensuring long-term sustainability through innovative financing strategies. Ultimately, this initiative will reduce energy costs, improve climate resilience, and foster a more accessible, sustainable future for Tucson’s most vulnerable communities.
Tucson, AZ Catalyzing Climate-Adapted Building Codes to Drive Renewable Energy Adoption
To sustain regional growth and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, the Resilient Southwest Building Code Collaborative is developing a climate-adapted building code, and a suite of supporting resources, for Arizona and New Mexico. The FUSE Executive Fellow will contribute to the development of these resources and advance implementation by facilitating stakeholder engagement, closing skills gaps, and sharing best practices so a broad range of communities in the Southwest can participate in this transformation, laying the groundwork for enhancing solar capacity and other renewable energy sources. As a result of this work, Southwestern communities will have safe, resilient homes and workplaces that are both climate-adapted and renewable energy-ready, even as the climate changes.
Tucson, AZ Transforming Public Housing for Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Tucson, Arizona, is working to transform its Public Housing Authority (PHA) into a national model of sustainability by improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy solutions, and implementing water conservation measures. The FUSE Executive Fellow will work with Tucson’s housing sustainability roadmap to help drive implementation, ensuring HCD housing residents benefit from reduced utility costs and increased climate resilience. Ultimately, this project will help Tucson create affordable, sustainable housing and foster a more resilient future for its most vulnerable communities.
Tulsa, OK Empowering Tulsa’s Youth to Pursue Economic Mobility
The City of Tulsa has an ambitious goal of placing 15,000 additional children and youth on pathways to economic mobility by 2030. Youth workforce development is central to this vision. The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct comprehensive analyses, convene key cross-sector stakeholders, and develop an actionable strategy to strengthen Tulsa’s youth workforce ecosystem. As a result of this work, Tulsa’s young people will gain access to dignified, sustainable career opportunities in their hometown and beyond, creating meaningful economic mobility regardless of their educational pathway.