Applications are open for the Johnson Family Foundation Justice Fellowship 2025. JFF funds programs to improve the health of our environment; promote equality and social progress; and support education and youth.
About Johnson Family Foundation Justice Fellowship
Opportunity Details
Johnson Family Foundation (JFF) supports the development of healthy, vibrant, and just communities where individuals, families and the next generation of leaders can thrive. JFF funds programs to improve the health of our environment; promote equality and social progress; and support education and youth.
The purpose of this fellowship is to invest in rising leaders in New York City and to support their careers in public service. Their vision is to cultivate a network of experts, elected officials, and activists who will drive policy change and help improve government so that it better serves the public in New York State. This is a two-year fellowship that will begin September 2025 and run into September 2027, in person.
The program will have three distinct but connected tracks - one fellow in each track - grassroots, policy and advocacy, and electoral.
OVERVIEW & DETAILS
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This is a full-time, two-year fellowship based in New York City, at one of the following organizations – New American Leaders, New Economy Project, and Riders Alliance.
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The program welcomes mid-career professionals with 3-5 years of experience across three tracks: grassroots movement building (Riders Alliance), policy change and advocacy (New Economy Project), and electoral engagement (New American Leaders).
Benefits of Johnson Family Foundation Justice Fellowship
- Fellows will receive a salary of $70,000 - $80,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health insurance, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Additionally, they will have access to robust networking and support from a mentor.
Johnson Family Foundation Justice Fellowship Requirements
- They are seeking three individuals (one fellow per track) who excel at building relationships, are adaptable, and can navigate dynamic work environments. As a fellow, you will be part of a broad network of movement work in New York
City.
- They are particularly looking for candidates with a demonstrated commitment to social justice in New York City, a strong equity lens, and the ability to engage in courageous conversations.
- The ideal candidates will be self-motivated, capable of managing time effectively, and able to see projects through to completion.
- Additionally, fellows should have at least three years of experience in the social justice sector or equivalent graduate level experience.
- All applicants should have a deep understanding of the diverse communities, challenges, and opportunities that shape New York City's social and political landscape.
Eligibility Requirements for Each Track
New American Leaders (electoral track): NAL is seeking a fellow to join a growing program team and support our regional and national initiatives. The Fellow will be responsible for assisting in planning local and national trainings, conducting state specific political and electoral background research, recruiting community leaders to run for office, and supporting NAL in candidate and alumni development. The Fellow will also help support regional programming with a focus on existing partnerships and future initiatives.
- Commitment to serving immigrant communities and building a multiracial democracy; possess cultural awareness and sensitivity to the needs of undocumented and under-documented communities.
- A working knowledge of political landscape, history of working in diverse settings, including low-income communities and communities of color.
- Bachelor's degree of a minimum of 3-5 years of campaign and/or political organizing experience working with campaigns and/or progressive politics.
- Strong leadership presence and persuasive communication skills, particularly in public speaking.
- Self-motivated individuals skilled at managing time effectively and driving projects forward independently. Strong ability to prioritize, organize, and track multiple tasks and projects into accountable steps, and ensure accountability, timely follow-through, and adaptability to shifting priorities.
- Meticulous attention to detail; strong record-keeping skills with a focus on accurate documentation, regular follow-up, and consistent follow-through to ensure progress and completion.
- Effective people skills: ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage effectively around a common goal.
Riders Alliance (grassroots track): Riders Alliance is seeking a fellow to join our team of seasoned organizers to help expand our grassroots base building and member leadership development. The fellow will work directly in communities most reliant on public transit to engage transit riders in our campaigns for more affordable, reliable, and accessible buses and subways. Working closely with our organizing team, the fellow will be responsible for supporting the growth of our leader recruitment and engagement program, including ongoing trainings, community meetings, and designing new creative ways to engage riders in the fight for better public transit.
- Minimum of 3 years in grassroots organizing where you have demonstrated success in developing leadership, and recruiting/ retaining members.
- Excellent people skills: ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage people effectively around a common goal.
- A record of organizing in diverse settings, including low-income communities and communities of color.
- A strong leadership presence, persuasive communication skills, excellence in public speaking.
- Willingness to travel to neighborhoods in all boroughs of New York City.
- Familiarity with communities in Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx and/or lived experience as a Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx transit rider.
New Economy Project (policy/ advocacy track): New Economy Project seeks a fellow to contribute to cutting-edge campaigns focused on advancing community land trusts, public banking, and other initiatives that address New York's affordability and inequality crises. The Fellow will work with New Economy Project's campaign organizers and coalition allies to advocate for state and local policies and public investment in NYC's growing cooperative economy. The Fellow will gain hands-on experience organizing rallies, press conferences, and community actions; conducting legislative briefings and meeting one-on-one with policymakers; developing community education and organizing materials; drafting op-eds, case studies, and policy briefs; and more.
- A minimum of three years of experience related to organizing and/or advocacy, with a track record of success.
- Demonstrated commitment to working for racial, economic and gender justice in New York City, and to building power of poor and working people.
- Ability to work effectively with people across racial, gender, class and other identities.
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
- Fluency in Spanish a plus.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
07 April, 2025
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