As an Our Future Fellow, you will have the opportunity to grow as a leader, make long-lasting connections with professionals in the service and activism sector, and expand your resume through skill-based trainings.

The fellowship program consists of three major components: (1) developing and implementing a community project of your own design, (2) attending community events and engaging with relevant local organizations, and (3) participating in professional development trainings.

By developing your own project, partnering with existing organizations, and growing your professional skill set, you will leave our program equipped to be leaders in public service, political organizing, advocacy, non-profit, governmental, and/or humanitarian sectors.

As a fellow, you will create a project that seeks to address a barrier faced by underserved communities. To develop your project, you will propose a budget, timeline, and outreach strategy; identify community partners; and work with staff and local leaders.

Projects may include, but are not limited to, a neighborhood amenity, local service, education campaign, or organizing effort that offers a unique service and can end by the completion of your fellowship term.

Fellows attend 10 approved community events that align with their goals, offer education in social issues or nonprofit management, or meet other fellowship outcomes; at least five must be attended as volunteers in a leadership capacity. 

Before volunteering, they meet with organization representatives to learn about programs, ask questions, and build relationships. Fellows also choose two organizations to shadow board meetings, gaining insight into diverse nonprofit leadership and connecting with key community leaders.

Lastly, throughout the program you will attend skill-based workshops to increase your expertise and confidence as a young ambassador of equity, sustainability, and justice. These trainings include grant writing, how to sit on a Board of Directors, overcoming imposter syndrome, and more. These ever-expanding opportunities are led by local professionals and public servants.

Fellows are expected to primarily work in the Our Future office, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. However, some work can be done remotely to accommodate our fellows, on an as-needed basis.

The fellowship is a part-time, approximately 8-month position made to fit your schedule. Within the hiring process, we will determine an appropriate range of working hours, with a minimum of 10 hours/week and a maximum of 20 hours/week. Your contract will reflect the agreed-upon amount.

Applications for the 2025 now open!

1. Must be 18 years or older

2. Access to a laptop/computer is preferred

3. Driver's license or willingness to take public transportation is preferred

4. Excellent time management skills and ability to follow deadlines

5. Comfortable communicating needs and asking questions

6. Dedication to achieving project goals and carrying out commitments

7. Desire to build relationships and understand diverse perspectives

8. Embrace discomfort in the learning process

9. Willingness to be or become a leader

10. Ability to work independently on projects

11. Passion for using community-based solutions to address complex problems

12. Lean into difficult and heavy subjects with a problem-solving and empathetic mindset

1. Develop and oversee a community project, which will include determining a budget, logistics, and timeline; coordinating with partnering organizations and residents; establishing and implementing a social media/outreach plan; and executing your project by the end of your fellowship term

2. Attend 10 approved community events that align with their goals, offer education in social issues or nonprofit management, or meet other fellowship outcomes; at least five must be attended as volunteers in a leadership capacity. 

3. Participate in required professional development and training courses

4. Attend all meetings with the leadership team

5. Lend support to ongoing Our Future projects

6. Provide timely written progress reports for your project

7. Lead meetings with consultants and staff to ask questions, plan next steps, request any needed accommodations, and present any capacity concerns or inabilities to meet deadlines

8. Communicate frequently and effectively through e-mail and messaging platforms

Our Future is committed to paying livable and equitable wages. All leadership, staff, and fellows are paid on an egalitarian pay scale, with all paid personnel being paid the same hourly wage.

Compensation adjusts once a quarter to reflect energy price inflation rates. Although our base rate is $15/hour, inflation for this quarter reflected a 41.4% rise, making our current hourly wage $21.24/hour. Wages will never lower in your fellowship term, only rise or remain stagnant.