The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (LMG) aims to narrow racial wealth gaps by empowering small developers from underserved communities to launch and grow their businesses. The FUSE Executive Fellow will develop and pilot a comprehensive small developer education program while also identifying key resources, incentives, and policy pathways to amplify the initiative’s impact and sustainability well-beyond the fellowship year. This multifaceted approach will drive community investments, fuel entrepreneurship, and increase wealth in lower-income and diverse communities, ultimately contributing to a more equitable Louisville.

Fellowship Dates: April 28, 2025 – April 24, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and local stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward regional priorities. FUSE then conducts an individualized search for each project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the communities being served. They are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects by developing actionable roadmaps and monitoring progress to completion.

Executive Fellows are hired as FUSE employees and embedded in government agencies for at least one year of full-time work. Throughout their fellowships, they receive training, coaching, and professional support from FUSE to help achieve their project goals. FUSE Executive Fellows bring diverse perspectives and new approaches to their projects. They build strong relationships with diverse arrays of stakeholders, foster alignment within.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky and a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and innovation. However, like many cities, it faces significant challenges related to economic inequality. According to the Greater Louisville Project, the city trails many of its peers in key areas such as income inequality, median income, and multidimensional poverty, with a notable contrast between affluent areas and lower-income neighborhoods. To bridge these wealth gaps, a key strategy for LMG involves fostering entrepreneurship and incentivizing investments in affordable housing and real estate development within underserved communities.

Small developers and contractors from these underserved communities often lack the technical expertise to finance and manage complex projects, putting them at a disadvantage when competing with larger developers. Previous attempts to provide education and technical assistance have achieved limited success. Many of these programs lacked critical incentives, such as low-cost financing or access to developable land. Additionally, no comprehensive analysis has yet been conducted to fully evaluate these programs or the experiences of small developers, making it difficult to identify the root causes of these challenges and potential solutions.

While various governmental and non-governmental organizations support small developers, these efforts are often fragmented. LMG has established a $3 million small developer fund to support mid- to high-six figure projects, but its success hinges on developing a pipeline of qualified developers and suitable projects. Additionally, LMG's efforts to attract development capital to the city require a robust ecosystem of capable developers ready to leverage these funds.

Real estate development and small business ownership are proven pathways for building wealth. By supporting small, community-based developers from underserved neighborhoods, LMG aims to create more jobs, improve housing and infrastructure, build wealth, and reduce income inequality across the city, with a particular focus on narrowing racial wealth gaps.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The FUSE Executive Fellow will lead a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape for small developers in Louisville. This involves conducting a listening tour to gather insights from key stakeholders across local government, nonprofits, financial institutions, and the development community. A key part of this process will be analyzing previous efforts to provide technical assistance and education to small developers, identifying lessons learned from those initiatives.

In addition to reviewing Louisville’s past programs, the Fellow will also examine national best practices in small developer education. This research will explore proven curricula, sustainable models, and key success factors from other cities.

The Fellow will then identify collaboration opportunities and gaps in the existing support network for small developers. A central objective will be determining a suitable organizational partner to host and create a new or expand an existing small developer education initiative, as LMG is committed to supporting but not directly running this effort.

The FUSE Executive Fellow will target the needs of two distinct groups:

  • Small developers who successfully manage small projects but are interested in growing their business
  • Contractors seeking to become developers

Following this research, the Fellow will develop and implement a robust small developer education and technical assistance program. This initiative will encompass the design or sourcing of a comprehensive curriculum tailored to the unique challenges faced by small developers. Key components will include identifying local partners—such as community colleges, industry associations, and nonprofit organizations—to effectively deliver training sessions that enhance participants' skills in project financing, market analysis, and sustainable development practices. Additionally, the program will ensure that participants have access to essential incentives, particularly affordable financing options and opportunities for land acquisition. This may involve collaborating with local banks to establish low-interest loan products or grant programs and working with government agencies to facilitate access to developable land in underserved neighborhoods. The Fellow will also launch a pilot program or initial training cohort to test and refine the initiative, providing real-world experience and feedback.

In tandem with the program's development, the Fellow will propose strategic policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the ecosystem for small developers in Louisville. These recommendations will address barriers to financing and land access, advocating for policies that promote equitable lending practices and streamline the process for acquiring land for development. This might include proposing tax incentives for investors in small development projects or suggesting the establishment of a dedicated fund to support small developers in securing financing. By fostering an enabling policy environment, the Fellow aims to enhance small developer opportunities and create pathways for success. Ultimately, by the end of the fellowship, the goal is for small developers to have successfully launched new projects, demonstrating the program’s impact and its potential for fostering long-term growth and sustainability within the local economy.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

By the end of the 12-month fellowship, the FUSE Executive Fellow will have achieved the following deliverables, each designed to contribute to closing racial wealth gaps and fostering a more equitable future in Louisville:

  • Policy Recommendations for the LMG Economic Development Cabinet: The Fellow will analyze existing policies and provide strategic recommendations to enhance small developer opportunities in Louisville. These recommendations may encompass ongoing technical assistance, improved access to capital, and measures that promote private investment in small development projects.
  • Development and Piloting of Technical Assistance or Capacity Solution: Based on the policy research and identification of support gaps, the Fellow will create a tailored solution focused on project management and financing. This program will could prioritize public policy changes, creation of incentives, or bolster an education and technical assistance program. Any pilot program will be run to assess its effectiveness and make necessary adjustments before full-scale implementation.
  • Identification of Incentives and Resources for Graduates: The Fellow will identify key incentives to support small developers in implementing their projects post-graduation. This includes securing low-cost financing options, access to developable properties, and other critical resources that facilitate project initiation and growth.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor – Laura Grabowski, Director Office of Housing and Community Development
  • Project Supervisor – Katie Littman Senior Advisor for Policy & Strategic Partnerships

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal-opportunity employer with core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.