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Lead For America

Fellowships empowering local government leadership

Overview

Lead For America places recent graduates into paid, full-time fellowships in their hometowns or home states, working with local governments and community organizations to address local issues and build capacity. Fellows are funded through a mix of public and private sources and are compensated so they can fully commit to their roles. The program operates in all 50 states, partnering with local leaders to bring fresh ideas and energy to civic projects. Revenue comes from grants, donations, and partnerships with governments, nonprofits, and other stakeholders, and the organization has secured over $100 million for community projects led by its fellows. The goal is to develop the next generation of civic leaders and strengthen communities by expanding local capacity and civic engagement.

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About Lead For America

Simplify's Rating
Why Lead For America is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

ConsultingGovernment & Public SectorSocial ImpactEducation

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Kansas, United States

Founded

2018

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Simplify's take

What believers are saying

  • Lead For America's site updated October 2, 2026, showing active program continuity and recruiting.
  • MyAmeriCorps listed Rural Partners Corps on October 26, 2026, expanding the pipeline into new regions.
  • Metro State's November 5, 2026 partnership shows fellows producing publishable work and campus credibility.

What critics are saying

  • American Connection Corps was not accepting applications on November 8, 2026, signaling funding fragility.
  • The entire model depends on AmeriCorps and grant renewals; federal cuts can freeze hiring overnight.
  • If AmeriCorps priorities shift away from broadband and rural service, Lead For America loses core revenue.

What makes Lead For America unique

  • Lead For America runs place-based fellowships in all 50 states, not generic national service.
  • Its 2026 American Connection Corps trains local members on broadband, AI readiness, and digital navigation.
  • Rural Partners Corps, launched October 2026, targets rural backbone organizations with locally rooted fellows.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Childcare Benefits

Company News

Praxis
Sep 12th, 2023
Lead for America

Lead For America is a national service program building the next generation of leaders for our country and communities across all 50 states.Through the Hometown Fellowship, Fellows serve in a paid, full-time capacity alongside a local leader in their hometown or home state for one year, before advancing into positions of community, state, and national leadership for decades to come.Since 2018, Lead For America has created more than 200 paid, full-time Fellowships for outstanding young leaders nationwide. In 2021, Lead For America launched its largest cohort yet of 115 Fellows and became one of the earliest stage organizations to ever receive full funding of a national service program through AmeriCorps. LFA has been featured prominently in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, CBS This Morning, and Forbes. Altogether, LFA has raised more than $10 million in just three years to launch the civic leadership careers of hundreds––soon to be thousands––of our nation’s most outstanding young people. LFA is proud that 100% of alumni remain committed to careers in public service and civic leadership, and nearly 90% remain committed to the communities they call home.

PR Newswire
May 8th, 2023
Lead For America Accepting Applications To The American Connection Corps (Acc); Nation'S Premier Rural Prosperity Corps

ACC AmeriCorps members will serve in positions of leadership in rural and emerging communities across America to advance economic prosperity and help bridge the digital divide.WICHITA, Kan., May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lead For America (LFA) announced the expansion of its signature AmeriCorps program today, called the American Connection Corps (ACC), and is now accepting applications for more than 100 new members nationwide. Selected members will address America's most pressing challenges at the local level and join a nationwide cohort of leaders by participating in a paid year of service to advance economic prosperity in rural communities and emerging cities. The ACC member application period closes on May 18, 2023, with applications accepted on a case-by-case basis thereafter.ACC AmeriCorps Members earn a living allowance of $30,000 per year, plus benefits, and an education award of $6,895 upon completion of the program. ACC Members typically serve 40 hours per week, providing key capacity building as "boots-on-the-ground" support for local host site organizations that advance economic opportunity, health and social capital, broadband access, and agriculture and natural resource development. Members also take part in a premier training program throughout the experience in locations including Kansas, Minnesota, and Washington, DC. The extensive training allows members to travel nationwide and explore topics like leadership, economic development, digital inclusion, and broadband

North Platte Telegraph
Oct 14th, 2021
Public invited to NPCC music fest | Lifestyles | nptelegraph.com

A Nebraska organization, the Rural Impact Hub, is partnering with Lead for America and Nebraska’s AmeriCorps Service Commission to recruit, train and place recent college graduates into paid two-year fellowships in rural Nebraska communities.

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