Community Development Fellowship Program
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Since the program's launch in 2016, we've placed 13 students into Community Development Fellowships. We want to increase that number each year. You can help us make a big impact in our neighborhoods and create a new generation of Baltimore community development leaders with your support. DONATE NOW
The Community Development Fellowship Program gives dynamic, motivated students who have a strong interest in effecting positive change in urban areas the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and gain hands-on development experience. By matching students with organizations that directly support Baltimore neighborhoods, this grant-funded fellowship program aims to improve the city while cultivating the next generation of community development leaders.
How does the program work?
Fellows are matched with a community-based organization the city, such as the Baltimore Main Streets program or a public-private partnership dedicated to economic or community-development work. Specific projects are determined by the host sites based on organizational needs but may include community outreach, special events and other daily work that aligns with fellows’ abilities and goals. Fellows work anywhere from eight to 20 hours per week and earn $10 per hour in addition to course credit for the semesterlong internship.
How do students qualify for participation?
Eligible students:
- are current juniors, seniors or graduate students in good academic standing (3.0 GPA or better)
- are available to work a minimum of eight hours per week at the host organization
- have a strong interest in community development and creating positive change in urban areas
- have community development experience and/or knowledge of Baltimore’s neighborhoods
- are able to work independently and take initiative.
How do students apply for the fellowship?
To apply to be a Community Development Fellow, submit your resume and a cover letter that addresses the preferred qualifications to Karim Amin, Community Development Fellowship Coordinator at karim.amin@ubalt.edu, with the subject line “Community Development Fellowship.”
How do organizations apply to be a host site?
To apply to be a Community Development Fellowship Program host site, submit a cover letter with a description of the organization, its mission and a brief description of a prospective fellow’s job responsibilities—noting any special qualifications that are necessary—to Karim Amin, Community Development Fellowship Coordinator at karim.amin@ubalt.edu with the subject line “Host Site for Community Development Fellowship.”
Current Fellowship Opportunities
Click the links below to view job descriptions for our current Community Development Fellowship opportunities:
- Content Writer Intern--Belair Edison Neighborhoods
- Councilman Zeke Cohen's Office
- Enterprise Community Partners
- Greater Baltimore Urban League
- Pigtown Main Street
- Southeast Community Development Corporation
For more information about the program, please contact:
Karim Amin, Community Development Fellowship Coordinator
410.837.6270
karim.amin@ubalt.edu
Thank you to Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh for recognizing the Community Development Fellowship Program for its contributions to Baltimore Main Streets.
Jacob (Jake) Balter, an M.P.A. student, has been serving as a fellow with Jubilee Arts Youth in Business (YiB), a program that cultivates the entrepreneurial leadership skills of high school aged youth by providing hands on experience operating an art-based business. As a fellow, Jacob has done everything from community outreach to youth mentoring to coordinating sales.
“In the short time Jake has been working with Youth in Business (since February 2018), he has made it possible for YiB youth to attend 13 events to sell their products at, that we would not have otherwise been able to attend. The youth have earned $6,500 in sales revenue from these 13 events alone, with a total revenue of $11,877 earned in 2018 to date.
Our ability to attend so many community events has contributed to an increase of our visibility in Baltimore City. We have been able to develop countless partnerships with other organizations that have yielded volunteers, collaborations, and media attention and subsequent sales. The growth of the program has been a direct result of Jake’s ability to expand our capacity.
Jake has been an invaluable asset to YiB. He is open-minded and has made himself available to support the program needs in whatever way he can. He is willing to do everything that it takes to make a program like ours successful. It’s been such a huge relief to be able to rely on him to take leadership around tasks that grow the capacity of YiB to support our youth in their businesses. He asks questions, listens, and lets our youth lead and show him what they need. They adore and trust him. We feel extremely grateful to have Jake placed with Youth in Business as our UB Fellow.”
-Kim Loper, YiB program manager
Jacob Balter (far left)
Hear from some of our past fellows...
Hiba Jamil, undergraduate student
Host Site: Hamilton-Lauraville Healthy Neighborhoods Association
"Working with the Hamilton-Lauraville Healthy Neighborhoods Association has shown me the significance of community and civic engagement. I've been helping to establish block projects, which has taught me how to get the neighbors involved in the community in a positive and effective way."
Jordan Barry, graduate student
Host Site: Belair-Edison Neighborhoods
"Working alongside individuals committed to the health and wellness of Baltimore's working class has been an invigorating experience. Additionally, I've been able to improve my grant-writing skills, which is an essential skill for prospective public administrators."
Ashley Wallington, B.S. '17, M.P.A. student
Host Site: Baltimore Main Streets
"After completing a fellowship with Bon Secours Health System, then serving as a Community Development Fellow with Baltimore Main Streets, I am excited to say I have been offered a position with Bon Secours and I am so eager to start! I think my new position is definitely going to bring about some important change in West Baltimore. My various fellowships at UB have prepared me well to tackle such challenges!”