ASD Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program

ASD Emerging Leaders Fellowship ProgramCommunity Leadership & Housing Fellow

Part-Time Fellowship | Dallas, Texas (Hybrid/On-Site)

Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Cohort

About ASD – A Home for Life

ASD – A Home for Life creates, strengthens, and sustains healthy communities by providing quality, affordable, service-enriched housing to economically disadvantaged individuals and families. For nearly 40 years, ASD has worked at the intersection of housing, health, advocacy, and community development to support individuals and families experiencing housing instability, homelessness, and other barriers to long-term stability.

ASD is one of North Texas’ largest providers, operators, and developers of permanent supportive housing and affordable housing communities.

Fellowship Overview

The Community Leadership & Housing Fellow will support ASD’s efforts to strengthen community engagement, resident empowerment, housing advocacy, civic education, and community development initiatives throughout Dallas.

This fellowship is designed for emerging leaders interested in nonprofit leadership, housing justice, public policy, economic mobility, advocacy, fundraising, and social impact work. Fellows will gain hands-on experience working alongside nonprofit leadership, community stakeholders, residents, and community partners while contributing to meaningful initiatives that support healthy communities and housing stability.

This fellowship is designed to provide emerging leaders with meaningful exposure to nonprofit leadership, community development, advocacy, fundraising, and executive-level relationship building throughout Dallas.

Fellows will have opportunities to build professional networks, strengthen leadership skills, gain real-world project experience, and develop career-enhancing exposure within nonprofit, civic, and business environments.

This is a part-time fellowship intended to provide professional development, leadership exposure, and practical field experience in mission-driven nonprofit work.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The Fellow may assist with:

• Supporting community engagement and outreach activities
• Assisting with resident leadership and empowerment initiatives
• Helping coordinate educational workshops, resource events, advocacy efforts, and outreach campaigns
• Conducting research related to affordable housing, homelessness, public policy, and community development
• Assisting with preparation of reports, presentations, briefing materials, and stakeholder communications
• Attending community meetings, leadership events, stakeholder gatherings, and neighborhood engagement activities
• Supporting civic education and nonpartisan community awareness initiatives
• Assisting with storytelling, impact collection, and community feedback efforts
• Collaborating with ASD staff and community partners on special projects and outreach campaigns
• Helping strengthen relationships with residents, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders
• Supporting select fundraising, advocacy, or community partnership initiatives

Fellowship Structure

• Part-time (approximately 10–15 hours per week)
• Flexible scheduling based on academic and organizational needs
• Hybrid and on-site opportunities available
• Fellowship term: Fall 2026 through Spring 2027
• Reports directly to designated ASD leadership staff
• Opportunity for mentorship and leadership exposure with ASD executive leadership
• Fellows may support select committee-level initiatives related to fundraising, advocacy, or community engagement
• Fellows do not serve as voting board or committee members

Leadership & Professional Exposure

Depending on fellowship activities and organizational scheduling, Fellows may have opportunities to:

• Attend select community leadership, chamber, advocacy, or stakeholder meetings
• Engage with nonprofit executives, business owners, developers, community leaders, and community partners
• Gain exposure to housing, community development, and social impact leadership environments
• Participate in professional networking and leadership development opportunities
• Observe collaborative leadership and community partnership initiatives throughout Dallas
• Participate in select committee-level projects related to fundraising, advocacy, or community engagement
• Receive mentorship and career development guidance from nonprofit and community leaders
• Gain exposure to fundraising campaigns, advocacy initiatives, and community partnership strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in nonprofit leadership, housing advocacy, public policy, fundraising, or community development
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders
• Strong writing, organization, and research abilities
• Experience with outreach, volunteerism, event support, fundraising, or community engagement preferred
• Familiarity with social justice, affordable housing, or economic mobility issues is beneficial
• Current college student, graduate student, or recent graduate preferred

Preferred fields of study may include:

• Social Work
• Sociology
• Public Administration
• Urban Planning
• Political Science
• Communications
• Public Health
• Nonprofit Management
• Related disciplines

ASD Core Values

Fellows should demonstrate a commitment to ASD’s core values and mission-centered culture:

• Respect
• Justice
• Mercy
• Integrity
• Driven
• Empathy

ASD seeks a small cohort of highly motivated emerging leaders committed to community impact, professional growth, and collaborative leadership.

Fellowship Benefits & Professional Development

Fellows may receive:

• Direct exposure to nonprofit leadership, housing advocacy, and community development initiatives
• Professional mentorship and networking opportunities with nonprofit, civic, and business leaders
• Dedicated workspace and organizational technology support during fellowship activities
• Approved mileage reimbursement for fellowship-related activities
• ASD fellowship materials and organizational merchandise
• Opportunities for resume-building, portfolio development, and professional references
• Letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the fellowship
• Access to select professional development, educational, or networking opportunities when available
• Opportunities to attend chamber, leadership, advocacy, or community networking events
• Resume and professional development support
• Professional networking exposure and leadership engagement opportunities
• Fellowship recognition and completion certificate
• Occasional team meals, community gatherings, and fellowship appreciation opportunities
• Priority consideration for future paid internship or employment opportunities when available

What Fellows Will Gain

• Exposure to nonprofit leadership and community development operations
• Experience supporting real-world housing and advocacy initiatives
• Professional mentorship and networking opportunities
• Community engagement and public leadership experience
• Insight into housing systems, supportive housing, and social impact work
• Exposure to fundraising campaigns, advocacy efforts, and community partnership strategies
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in Dallas communities

About ASD’s Mission

ASD believes healthy communities are built through stable housing, community partnership, advocacy, and opportunity. Through this fellowship, ASD seeks to help develop the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening communities and expanding pathways to housing stability and economic mobility.