Leadership Cohort

The Civic Joy Corps Leadership Cohort is a hands-on program for San Franciscans who are ready to step up as neighborhood leaders. If you’ve helped organize a cleanup, hosted a block party, rallied volunteers, or found yourself thinking, “Someone should do something about this” — this program is for you.

Over 5 weeks, you’ll join a small cohort of emerging neighborhood leaders for once a week in-person sessions focused on building the skills, relationships, and confidence to design and lead your own community project. You can find the program curriculum here.

By the end of the program, you’ll have:

• Direct relationships with city agencies, partners, and funders.

• A clear, actionable plan for a community project you’ll lead.

• The opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 in funding from the Civic Joy Fund.

• A network of fellow neighborhood leaders across San Francisco.

• The confidence and know-how to sustain civic initiatives beyond this program.

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FAQs

• Am I eligible for this program?

  Note that this program is meant for individuals and is not open to companies, community groups, or organizations.

  We are looking for applicants who have some prior experience in community organizing or civic leadership, but aren’t professionals.

• What is the application deadline?

  Friday, February 27th, 2026

• What kinds of community projects can I apply for at the end of this program?

  We’re looking for ideas that help neighborhoods feel more connected and joyful. Projects might fall in (but need not be limited) to the following categories:

  • Placemaking: light installations, public art, transforming underused spaces into welcoming gathering spots

  • Service: Trash cleanups, park stewardship, food drives, neighborhood preparedness (NERT-style) projects

  • Celebration: Block parties, public music, cultural events, neighborhood markets

  Note that projects must take place within San Francisco.

• Do I need to already have a fully formed project idea?

  No. A rough concept or problem you care about is enough - as long as it can activate and build community in your neighborhood.

• How much time should I expect to commit to this program?

  Plan for one 2.5 hour in-person session per week, plus some light work outside of sessions to develop your proposal.

• Is the $5,000 grant guaranteed?

  No, participants must apply for funding at the end of the program. Grants are awarded based on project feasibility, impact, and alignment with Civic Joy Fund’s mission.

• How will applicants be selected?

  We will review applications holistically for fit and cohort balance (e.g., neighborhoods, backgrounds, and project ideas).

  There will be 8-12 people per cohort.

• When will I hear back about my application?

  Applicants will receive an update by Tuesday, March 3rd.