Leadership Development

We offer leadership development programs that train emerging and established professionals in new ways to lead change in their organizations and communities and enhance the vitality of the city's commercial districts:

Leadership Development Programs

Select a program name, or press the enter key on a program name, to view more information.

Neighborhood Leadership Program

group photo of Neighborhood Leadership Fellows

We partner with the Coro New York Leadership Center to help staff from community-based organizations across New York City develop leadership skills, learn new approaches to commercial revitalization, and connect to key stakeholders and resources critical to leading change in their organizations and commercial districts. The Neighborhood Leadership Program is made possible by Community Development Block Grant funding through the Avenue NYC program.

The nine-month program teaches innovative management strategies, how to support small businesses and strengthen commercial districts, and provides access to a network of more than 2,000 engaged alumni making positive change in New York City.

Learn more about past participants of the Neighborhood Leadership program.

How to Apply

Applications for the Neighborhood Leadership Program are currently open! Apply to join the 2024 cohort here.

Neighborhood 360° Fellows

group photo of Neighborhood 360 Fellows

Neighborhood 360° Fellows help community-based organizations complete commercial revitalization projects and connect local stakeholders to City resources. The fellows are paid by SBS and are full-time community development professionals, community organizers, or planners. We aim to build a network of leaders prepared with commercial revitalization expertise and experience in New York City neighborhoods.

Meet the former Neighborhood 360° Fellows.


Who Can Apply

Fellows

Must meet these minimum criteria:

  • New York City resident (within 90 days of the start date)
  • One or more year(s) of community outreach, organizing, and/or planning experience
  • Have an interest in economic development and working with the host site neighborhood/community

Read the Neighborhood 360° Fellows program guidelines for more information.

Host Sites

Must meet these minimum criteria:

  • Nonprofit community-based organization (Business Improvement Districts, local development corporations, merchant associations, and other organizations) that implement commercial revitalization projects and are operating in New York City and incorporated in New York State
  • Able to assist in recruiting candidates and interviewing finalists
  • Able to provide the fellow with a desk and supporting equipment (i.e. computer and access to organization's phone)
  • Time and willingness to act as a mentor for the fellow

What Fellows Do

Neighborhood 360° Fellows are full-time, paid employees placed in New York City community-based organizations for 10 months to implement commercial revitalization projects and connect stakeholders to City resources. Types of projects include:

  • Business Attraction/Retention: Attract new businesses or retain existing businesses to ensure commercial districts have a diverse retail mix that serves the community and reduces the retail vacancy rate.
  • Merchant Organizing: Lead the strategic planning, outreach, and organizing efforts to create a new or revitalize an existing merchant association.
  • Placemaking: Cultivate a sense of place that capitalizes on the unique characteristics of the commercial district, incorporating key traits of the neighborhood and activating public space for the community.


Current host sites and projects can be viewed here.

How To Apply

Applications to host a Neighborhood 360° Fellow are currently closed.

Applications to become a Neighborhood 360° Fellow are currently closed.

Contact us for more information.