We are no longer accepting applications for the 2013 interfaith Community Organizing Residency. New information about how to apply for the 2014 cohort will be added to this page as soon as it is available.
Which application path is right for me?
Path A is for people seeking a full-time, six-month, paid placement in a top-tier community organizing group, looking to explore faith traditions and make community organizing their profession. Applicants accepted through Path A will receive a $17,000 stipend and health care coverage. Placements are in one of six regions: New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Twin Cities, or Washington D.C.*
Path B is for people who are currently working in congregations, unions, or community groups who are seeking leadership training, mentorship, an opportunity to explore other faith traditions and a cohort of peers to support the organizing element of their current job. Applicants accepted through Path B will need to pay a program fee, detailed below. Applicants for Path B can be in any major city.
*New placement cities may be added for the 2012-2013 Community Organizing Residency. Please email info@rootedinfaith.org for more information.
Applicant criteria
(Paths A and B)
Interest in pursuing or advancing a career in community organizing. COR is designed to move people into a full-time career in organizing. It is not structured as an internship, fellowship, or transitional experience.
Commitment to work as a community organizer for at least two years following the residency.
Active engagement with one’s own faith tradition and an interest in learning more about the faith traditions of others. People of all religions are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Strong writing skills and an ability to think analytically. There will be a significant amount of reflection, writing, and personal investment required of all participants.
Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
Ideally, a minimum of three years’ work experience.
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in an additional language is a plus.
(Path B only)
Applicants are required to be employed, currently or by the start of the residency, full- or part-time by a congregation, union, or community group, with a minimum of 15 hours of their time each week dedicated to community organizing.
Able to secure an experienced community organizer within or outside of your organization to be a mentor. Mentors must meet with residents for at least 4 hours each month. In some cases, COR staff can help identify a mentor upon request.
Pay a program fee of $2,000 - $6,000 (sliding scale based on size of organization). In certain cases, we are able underwrite a portion of training costs for organizations with limited resources.
|
Organization's Operating Budget |
Program Fee |
| < $500,000 | $2,000 |
| $500,000 - $1,000,000 | $4,000 |
| $1,000,000 and up | $6,000 |
More questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions, download a pdf with more information, or contact us at info@rootedinfaith.org.
Steps in the Application Process
Application submission
Phone Interviews — a portion of all applicants will be invited for a phone interview. Phone interviews last approximately 30 minutes. Most, but not all, phone interviews will be conducted from mid-May through the end of June.
In-person Interviews — a portion of all candidates interviewed by phone will be invited to in-person interviews. Not all candidates interviewed by phone will be invited to an in-person interview. Those invited to in-person interviews will be notified by early July.
Interview Dates
Chicago: July 26 and 27
New York: Aug 2 and 3
Los Angeles: Aug 6 and 7
Bay Area: Aug 9 and 10
Matching candidates with placement organizations
In past years, half of all applicants received a phone interview and a third of total applicants were invited to in-person interviews.