Underwrite FEAHD or a Fellow
Help to build a more diverse group of real estate professionals
This paid Fellowship supports young and diverse professionals who are early in their careers and who are interested in creating an impact in the field of affordable housing development.
The challenge
Community development corporations (CDCs) work extensively in communities of color, yet employ few people of color in leadership and real estate development positions.
The solution
Three Massachusetts nonprofits-Urban Edge, The Neighborhood Developers, and Opportunity Communities-have created a real estate fellowship to diversify the pipeline of young professionals entering into careers in affordable housing real estate development. NeighborWorks America is adopting a similar fellowship model in the state of California. These parallel initiatives will coordinate and learn together.
We seek implementation funding
The Fellowship costs $250,000 per year to operate. For additional information on this fellowship, including how to invest in the program or to underwrite a Fellow, please contact Nancy Turner, OppCo’s SVP of Resource Development.
Program structure
Cohorts complete 24-month paid fellowships working as Associate Real Estate Project Managers at host CDCs in Massachusetts. We will welcomed the first cohort of Fellows in August, 2023. Recruitment for the second cohort begins in early 2025.
Fellows benefit from practical on-the-job work experience, skills training, a mentor, and peer support. We prepare Fellows for rewarding careers producing and providing affordable homes, commercial spaces, and stronger communities.
Benefits
Greater Diversity Across the Field
This program aims to catalyze new industry practices that result in a more inclusive industry and deeper engagement and relationships with communities of color.
Building a Pipeline of Real Estate Professionals
The fellowship will yield more project management and development professionals who reflect the demographics of the communities served by CDCs.