The HomeBase Cincinnati Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for university students and post-graduate individuals to gain hands-on experience in community development. Focused on fostering real-world learning, this program pairs students with Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and HomeBase led neighborhood projects, to engage fellow(s) in impactful neighborhood projects. Fellows work alongside industry professionals, contributing to housing, economic development, and community building efforts. Our program not only builds community development skills, but also strengthens Cincinnati's neighborhoods by injecting fresh talent and innovative ideas into the community development ecosystem​​.

The 2026-2027 Fellowship Program is accepting applicaitons for an individual seeking a career in community development. This year, the program is partenring with Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (MCURC) to train their future full time staffer (see MCURC jod description below).

The HomeBase Fellowship will provide an apprenticeship-style-training model for the fellow to learn communtiy development, build a professional network, and learn "the ropes" of the ecosystem prior to leaving the fellowship and transitioning to becoming a full time employee at MCURC. 

A successful fellowship will acheive the following: 

1. Fellow will Enhance a CDC's Project Capacity:
Measured by the number of development projects initiated, made significant progress on, or completed by fellow partnered with a CDC.

2. Foster Collaboration and Best Practices: Fellow will become integrated and collaborate with a network of HomeBase, state, city, development partners, and CDC professionals, leading to an understanding of resources, partners, and community development best practices.

3. Fellow transitions from the Fellowship Program to full time employment within the CDC ecosystem.

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The Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (MCURC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation (CDC) with a 50-year history of improving quality of life in Madisonville through economic and community development initiatives. MCURC is seeking a smart, driven, and hardworking Fellow to work alongside its experienced Board and current Real Estate Project Manager to gain hands-on experience in running a high-functioning CDC.

This Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to community revitalization while developing professional skills in real estate, nonprofit management, and civic engagement. The Fellow will assist with grant writing, board reporting, and community outreach, while supporting resident leadership and advancing neighborhood priorities. MCURC envisions this Fellowship as a potential pathway to future leadership, including the role of Executive Director.

• Collaborate with the Real Estate Project Manager and Board to establish an acquisition fund using City Tax Increment Financing, grants, and other resources, including limited MCURC funding.
• Identify potential redevelopment sites in and around the Neighborhood Business District.
• Evaluate key properties for acquisition; oversee due diligence, funding, and the acquisition process.
• Develop financial plans to hold, remediate, stabilize, or demolish properties as needed, learning to navigate local, regional, and federal funding sources.
• Assist in planning redevelopment strategies and identifying development partners or end users.
• Create and review financial proformas; identify and apply for gap funding.
• Monitor construction projects to ensure they remain on schedule and within budget.
• Manage MCURC's real estate assets and develop long-term sustainability plans.
• Provide regular updates to the MCURC Board and community stakeholders.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents and stakeholders through proactive outreach, demonstrating integrity and commitment to MCURC's mission.
• Support MCURC programs including affordable housing, homeownership development, commercial corridor revitalization, community programming, and park/trail improvements.
• Stay informed on community development trends and contribute to public dialogue on relevant issues.
• Foster partnerships with local government, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Ensure MCURC-led events are well-organized and effectively executed.
• Attend and participate in neighborhood planning meetings, community council and Business Chamber events
• Plan and coordinate activation events in the neighborhood business district

• Participate in external training and meetings with organizations such as Homebase, CNBDU, and LISC.
• Cultivate relationships with institutional and governmental funding sources.
• Clearly communicate MCURC's mission and its alignment with neighborhood planning efforts.
• Lead grant writing and reporting; manage implementation of awarded funds.
• Organize and participate in MCURC Board meetings, including agenda preparation.
• Learn nonprofit financial management and assist with day-to-day operations.
• HomeBase will provide on going structured support to the fellow through Grow America training opportunities, working alongside HomeBase staff on a variety of projects, inclusion in partner and City meetings, and other opportuntiies to teach community devleopment through hands on expereince. 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., urban planning, real estate development, public administration) or equivalent experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail across multiple projects.
• Commitment to equitable, asset-based community development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).
• Demonstrated work ethic and passion for advancing MCURC's mission for all residents, businesses, and visitors in Madisonville.

• Fellows will recieve a competitive monthly stipened and access to health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional real estate & community development training opportunities covered by HomeBase Cincinnati
• Flexible, hybrid work environment and a fun, collababorative working environment, making tangible, positive changes to Cincinnati's neighborhoods! 
• HomeBase's new office is located near the Wasson Way Trail and major bus stops

Other items to note:

• Fellows will be required to submit weekly timesheets of hours and activities for program funder reporting and metrics tracking. 
• Fellow will be able to track skill development overtime

 

APPLICATION SUBMISSION NOTES:

The following pages contain required data collection and  intake information for our program funders, as well as fellowship application questions. There will be an upload location at teh end to share youre resume, cover letter, references, and any personal website / portfolio page.

Please note you will also be able to pause and save your responses and come back to finish your submission.

The application portal will close on Friday, March 27th at 11:59pm.