50CAN Action Fund | Believe in Better Candidate Training Fellowship

Believe in Better Candidate Training Fellowship

PURPOSE

50CAN Action Fund is committed to the education of future legislators and will again be offering the Believe in Better Candidate Training Fellowship. Our aim is to identify potential candidates who aspire to be champions of education policy and train them to be prepared for the rigors of winning political campaigns. With the intimate size of the fellowship, we will be able to provide a greater level of access to expertise and individualized support. The program will familiarize fellows with the rigors of a campaign and will culminate in the fellows writing their own campaign plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The 2024 cohort of up to 15 fellows will be chosen from applicants who are willing to commit to the schedule, have an expressed goal of becoming an elected official in the near future, and are aligned with the general tenets of 50CAN Action Fund’s Believe in Better agenda. They will also need to be a viable candidate who has taken independent steps towards running for office.

PROGRAMMING

This is an eight session fellowship that runs from summer through early fall. It includes one in-person gathering with the other seven being held virtually. In the second half of the fellowship, candidates will start writing their own campaign plans. Working with fellowship staff, elected officials and campaign experts, they will learn to develop a platform and gain an understanding of campaign strategies and tactics.

TIMELINE

Application window – June 1 – June 28

Applicants chosen – July 8

Sessions Begin – Mid July

Sessions End – Late October

SESSION MODULES

Elected Official 101 (What it means to be an Elected Official)
Candidate Preparation – Shaping Your Story
Developing a Platform, Polling, Research
Campaign Startup
Campaign Finance/ Campaign Politics
Campaign Roles
Campaign Media
Campaign Voter Contact

APPLICATION

Candidate Fellowship Application

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone/Mobile

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Tell us more

What Elected Office are you seeking or are likely to seek?

How did you hear about the Fellowship?

What Is Your Interest in Education?

Do you have experience with education policies or schools (e.g. advocating for policies with your local district, working as an educator or in another role in a school) beyond your own education?

Why do you want to run for public office?

Have you run for public office before?

Why do you believe you are a strong candidate for public office?

What steps have you taken so far to prepare for a run for public office?

How do you feel this Fellowship could benefit you and further your goals?

Do you have any scheduling conflicts that may prevent you from participating in online sessions?

The in-person sessions will be scheduled after the fellows are selected. The opening session will be in mid- to late-August, and the closing session will be in October. Do you have any scheduling restrictions during those time periods?

50CAN Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Are you aware of any state or local rules that would preclude 50CAN Action Fund from reimbursing you for your travel costs to the in-person sessions?

Select the box acknowledging you agree to this:

I understand that as a fellowship participant I am expected to attend each session and may miss no more than two live sessions in order to complete the fellowship.

Back to the Believe In Better Education Leadership Institute Overview