The S. Mark Taper Foundation has awarded CDTech a $200,000 grant to sponsor 25 young adults over the next five years in the Public Allies Los Angeles program. Public Allies is a national AmeriCorps-funded program that operates in 15 communities across the United States to advance diverse young leaders aged 18-30 in strengthening communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Since 2006, CDTech has served as the Los Angeles affiliate for the Public Allies program.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation, founded in 1989, is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in our communities.
Beginning with the Class of 2008-09 and running through the 2012-13 program year, five Public Allies each year will carry the title of S. Mark Taper Foundation Fellows. Each Fellow will be placed in paid, full-time, 10-month apprenticeships that create, improve and expand services at local nonprofit organizations, while developing pathways into non-profit careers. Each Fellow is supported in building their leadership skills and abilities through weekly training, coaching, team projects and reflection. The yearlong program also provides each Fellow with college-credit instruction in community planning and development. This learning is reinforced throughout the year through; (1) coaching to help the developing leaders adapt, interpret and effectively work in the nonprofit world, (2) team building through Team Service Projects, (3) community service in the form of “Service Days”, (4) retreats to share their experiences with their peers, reflect on their own growth and recharge their “batteries,” and (5) weekly issue sessions to develop their awareness, problem solving and critical analysis skills. Upon graduation from the program, Fellows are connected to ongoing training and networking opportunities through the Alumni Network and they are eligible for a $4,725 stipend for advanced education.
"We are extremely grateful to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for their generous gift and commitment to building LA’s leadership and nonprofit workforce. Public Allies – LA is a model workforce development program,” said Denise Fairchild, President and CEO of CDTech.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation’s sponsorship of Fellows represents a “first” for the Public Allies Los Angeles program by helping CDTech build a model to secure support for each Public Ally slot in the program. The results of this nonprofit workforce and leadership development program are astounding. Upon graduation, 60% of the Fellows take positions in the nonprofit sector, 20% return to school and 20% take positions in government agencies. Through its gift, S. Mark Taper Foundation is building a leadership legacy and a non-profit infrastructure for Los Angeles by investing in the futures of (25) S. Mark Taper Foundation Fellows.