OSI-Baltimore Community Fellowships

Overview

The Baltimore Community Fellowships Program was established to assist individuals wishing to apply their education, life experiences and professional experiences to serve marginalized communities. The goals of these fellowships are to encourage public and community service careers, expand the number of mentors and role models available to youth in inner-city neighborhoods, and promote entrepreneurial initiatives that empower communities to increase opportunities and improve the quality of life for their residents.

Up to 10 individuals are awarded a BaltimoreCommunity Fellowship to implement innovative projects that seek to improve the circumstances and capacity of an underserved community in Baltimore City. Applicants may either apply for a fellowship:

1) to work under the auspices of a nonprofit organization in Baltimore City; or, 2) to work
independently. In cases where the fellowship takes place at an organization in Baltimore,
applicants must secure sponsorship from that organization. The applicant’s project must
be harmonious with the mission of the host organization.

The Open Society Institute-Baltimore launched the Community Fellowships program in 1998.

Thanks to additional support from a number of generous supporters (listed on the facing

page), OSI-Baltimore seeks to build the program into a permanent resource for Baltimore.

Fellowship awards are in the amount of $48,750 for a term of 18 months. Other entities,

including the host organization, may augment the stipend. The Baltimore Community

Fellowships Program may provide limited relief for graduate school debt payments on

a case-by-case basis. The host organization is expected to provide the fellow medical

benefits and work space and support overhead costs as necessary. In cases of extreme

hardship, the program reimburses the host organization or individual for the cost of
medical insurance.

Eligibility

Applicants may come from any field, including—but not limited to—business, management, the arts, law, medicine, education, architecture, and engineering. Individuals from under served communities and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants need not be from Baltimore City, but should be knowledgeable about social and economic justice issues affecting Baltimore’s communities. Individuals currently receiving wages or a salary to undertake the proposed project are not eligible to apply. Fellows may not use stipends to supplant funding for activities or projects that the host organization is already implementing. The program does not award fellowships to conduct research or to implement lobbying initiatives. Fellows must be willing to participate fully in meetings scheduled for the Community Fellows.

Orientation Sessions

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of our information sessions. Please call Michael Franklin at 1-410-234-1091 to reserve a spot.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday. February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011

Application

For more information and to download an application, please see the program guidelines, or call OSI-Baltimore at 1-410-234-1091 to receive an application in the mail.