Executive Fellowship | Catalyzing Neighborhood- Youth Development and Reinvestment

The City of Atlanta is working to make Atlanta the best place to raise a child by expanding equitable access to early education, safe spaces, and career pathways for youth in historically under-invested neighborhoods. The FUSE Executive Fellow will catalyze systems change across the city’s youth development initiatives through place-based partnerships to align programs under a unified strategy. Ultimately, this work will accelerate outcomes for youth and families in historically under-invested neighborhoods, reduce disparities, improve safety and opportunity, and ensure that every young person can thrive in a stronger, more connected Atlanta.

Fellowship Dates:
April 27, 2026 – April 23, 2027

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit working to expand social and economic opportunities, particularly for communities that have been limited by a history of systemic and institutionalized racism. FUSE partners with local governments and communities to more effectively address pressing challenges by placing experienced professionals within city and county agencies. These FUSE Executive Fellows lead strategic projects designed to advance racial equity and accelerate systems change.

Since 2012, FUSE has led over 250 projects in 40 governments across 20 states, impacting the lives of 25 million people.

PROJECT CONTEXT

City-wide youth development strategies are essential to advancing accessibility, improving community safety, and expanding opportunity for children and young adults. These strategies ensure that all young people, regardless of race, income, or zip code, have access to high-quality education, safe spaces, and meaningful pathways to careers. Prioritizing underserved communities and addressing longstanding challenges with youth development efforts can strengthen families, reduce violence, and help create the conditions for lifelong success.

When cities invest in coordinated early learning, enrichment, and workforce programs, they not only improve individual outcomes but also build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods and a stronger civic fabric.

Atlanta will partner with FUSE to provide high-level project management and strategic support across Atlanta’s four youth development verticals, with a concentrated focus on neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative to execute the Mayor’s vision of making Atlanta the best place to raise a child. The FUSE Executive Fellow will: conduct a landscape analysis and stakeholder listening tour to map programs and partnerships with deep community presence in Grove Park, FCS Communities, and other partner neighborhoods;

develop a strategic framework to align initiatives under the Mayor’s vision; streamline grant and program management processes; facilitate youth-led design and engagement processes; and bridge collaboration between city departments, place-based community foundations, nonprofits, and corporate partners. Ultimately, this partnership will accelerate the city’s progress toward a comprehensive, data-driven youth development ecosystem that empowers every child and young adult to learn, grow, and thrive in a safer, stronger Atlanta.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Beginning in Spring 2026, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work with the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office of Youth Development and Education Policy and place-based community partners to strengthen and coordinate youth development initiatives across four key verticals: early education, safe spaces (built environment and grants), safe spaces programming, and career pathways, with concentrated focus on neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative.

The fellow will coordinate structured dialogue between departments and organizations, provide high-level project management, and strategic support to help execute Mayor Andre Dickens’ vision of making…