Current Fellowship Opportunities

Albuquerque’s housing prices have soared for renters and owners alike. The City has a bold vision to develop 5,000 affordable housing units by 2027. The FUSE Executive Fellow will advance this goal by developing a program to finance Accessory Dwelling Units, develop a housing plan for the International District, and establish an annually recurring affordable housing trust fund for the City. As a result, Albuquerque will have more affordable, dignified homes for low-income residents.

Baltimore City is working to expand homeownership opportunities as a pathway to economic stability and generational wealth, particularly for low-income residents and communities of color. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop a strategic framework to unify and expand homeownership coaching resources. Ultimately, this initiative will empower Baltimore residents to achieve long-term homeownership, thereby fostering community stability and economic resilience for future generations.

The City of Boston aims to narrow the racial wealth gap by expanding access to housing and homeownership for low-and moderate-income members of historically marginalized communities. Building on advancing equity in the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the FUSE Executive Fellow will collaboratively select and advance 2-3 priority initiatives through stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and targeted implementation, while creating systems and tools for sustainable impact. As a result, more Bostonians will have pathways to housing stability and wealth creation, regardless of their background.

The City of Boston is committed to preventing commercial gentrification and expanding equitable economic opportunities for all community members. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI) in designing and implementing a strategic framework that drives community-led investments in historically-overlooked neighborhoods. As a result of this work, Bostonians from all backgrounds will have greater access to wealth building opportunities, particularly through entrepreneurship.

The City of Cleveland, in partnership with FUSE, plans to revitalize its 10-year housing plan, titled “Cleveland 2030: A Housing Equity Plan,” to foster equitable homeownership growth among underrepresented populations. Under the direction of the Department of Building & Housing, the FUSE Executive Fellow will play a central role in catalyzing and aligning cross-sector stakeholders to address discriminatory housing practices, support existing homeowners, and aid first-time buyers. By integrating the HUD Equity Plan, enhancing data collection and reporting, and expanding community and legislative engagement, the project aims to develop concrete steps to improve housing stability and affordability. Ultimately, this initiative will contribute to sustainable and equitable community development for Cleveland’s most underserved residents.

The City of Durham offers generous down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income households seeking to purchase their first home, but many eligible residents are unaware of or not utilizing this opportunity. The FUSE Executive Fellow will spearhead a comprehensive outreach strategy, encompassing data-driven marketing campaigns, targeted community engagement, and strategic partnership development to amplify program visibility and accessibility. Additionally, the Fellow will recommend enhancements to strengthen the program’s long-term effectiveness. As a result of this work, more Durham families will avoid displacement, gain housing stability, and build inter-generational wealth.

The FUSE Executive Fellowship is an opportunity to develop and implement unique solutions to a community’s most pressing challenges. For 12 months, FUSE Executive Fellows work within local government to bring innovative approaches to a specific project. Each fellowship is designed to leverage private-sector experience to deliver results that have a lasting impact.

The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (LMG) aims to catalyze economic growth and equity by significantly increasing investment capital inflows from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to its underserved and diverse neighborhoods. The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct a comprehensive analysis of Louisville’s CDFI ecosystem, identify opportunities for innovative financial services, and develop a strategic plan to align local government policy with CDFI investments. This initiative seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship, expand homeownership, and create wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities. By enhancing Louisville’s capacity to attract and leverage CDFI investments, LMG aspires to close the gap with peer cities and foster a more inclusive economic landscape.

The City of Philadelphia, PA is developing a comprehensive business succession and commercial real estate acquisition program to support immigrant-owned small businesses and address racial wealth disparities. The FUSE Executive Fellow will create strategic tools and partnerships to help immigrant business owners build generational wealth and transition to commercial property ownership. Ultimately, this will empower small business owners, preserve cultural and economic assets, and equitably sustain the vibrancy of Philadelphia’s diverse commercial corridors for future generations.

The City of Phoenix is implementing a new program to expand access to clean energy for over 11,000 low- and middle-income households and reduce energy disparities. FUSE will partner with Phoenix through the FUSE Executive Fellowship to build partnerships, create community engagement strategies, and streamline application processes for residents to access funding. Ultimately, this will support Phoenix’s sustainability goals by lowering energy costs, advancing energy equity, and fostering more resilient and climate-ready communities.

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.

Seattle, Washington is pursuing a goal of inclusive, resilient growth. In order to achieve that, the City must prevent the displacement of low-income and BIPOC households. The FUSE Executive Fellow will promote this goal by analyzing and implementing key policies and programs. As a result of this work, the City will ensure all residents are able to participate in Seattle’s success, both now and in the future.