Advance Your Community Planning Goals with a CivicSpark Fellow!

• Public agencies (local, county or regional governments), state agencies, ports, Tribes, military institutions, educational institutions and non-profit organizations can contract directly to host CivicSpark Fellows
• Fellows cannot be placed at for-profit organizations
• Fellows must implement projects or initiatives with a clear scope of work designed to build capacity on a community planning issue
• Partners must agree to follow all AmeriCorps requirements

Projects must support local community planning needs such as disaster preparedness, affordable housing, electricity and power, public health, water management, transportation and infrastructure, economic development, parks and recreation or other related issues. Beyond the basic criteria, our program is looking for tangible and impactful community planning projects with a:

• Clear, suitable scope of work
• Commitment to implementation
• Strong connection to local workforce and community needs

We are also looking for projects from communities with identifiable capacity gaps, including:

• Absence of an adopted and up-to-date strategy (plan, element, or other) that comprehensively addresses a community identified priority with appropriate funding, programs, and policies, to implement the strategy
• A defined local workforce capacity gap as evidenced by at least one significant program, policy, or planning goal that has not been met, or cannot be met, without resource or system development assistance

CivicSpark places highly motivated emerging leaders with local organizations for up to an 11-month term to support research, planning, and implementation projects primarily focused on community planning efforts. Through our program’s model, CivicSpark staff work with project partners to coordinate a positive fellowship experience. Site Supervisors provide direct project supervision of Fellows, with support from CivicSpark program staff.

Beyond basic requirements, we are looking for project partners with a commitment to Fellows’ growth and development through direct project oversight, a dedicated Fellow supervisor, and a supportive professional environment.

CivicSpark Fellowships are funded in part by AmeriCorps and in part by our partners hosting fellows. Rates for the program are all-inclusive and cover a portion of the Fellow living allowance and benefits (including health insurance), as well as programmatic operating costs including professional development and CivicSpark staff support for Fellows.

2025-26 11-Month Fellowship Pricing

Step 1: Submit Online Project Application

We estimate it should take less than 30 minutes to complete the application once you have developed your project concept.

Step 2: Pre-Service Eligibility Form

Project service recipients must complete an Eligibility Form after they submit their application. This survey establishes baseline information about the agency’s capacity needs and goals relating to the project. This information is used to set goals and evaluate success upon project completion.

Step 3: Application Review and Follow-Up
CivicSpark staff will review project applications and schedule a call with your project lead. Through these conversations, staff are able to ensure your project will deliver results while also meeting our goals as an AmeriCorps program. Staff will then consider your project for approval based on our programmatic priorities.

Step 4: Project Approval and Contracting

Once approved, agencies must complete a Service Agreement (contract) outlining mutual roles and responsibilities between project partners and CivicSpark, as well as payment terms.

Step 5: Candidate Review and Interviewing

CivicSpark staff will share qualified candidates for consideration, at which time partners should interview candidates who may be a good fit. CivicSpark staff will make the final offer to the Fellow for placement.

February 27: Application opens for returning partners from 24-25 service year 

March 20: Application opens for all applicants

May 15: Application closes

June through July: Partners matched with fellow candidates

Mid-September: Fellowship term begins