The Code for America Fellowship is a year-long program that partners teams of technology professionals (fellows) with local governments. Fellows work closely with city staff and communities to address challenges through building web and mobile applications, using techniques like user-centered design. This provides opportunities for municipalities to experiment with new ideas and solutions. Fellows research issues and work to develop applications that can be maintained in-house to save costs compared to traditional procurements. Cities also gain access to a network of civic innovators and visibility through the Fellowship program.

1. The Code for America Fellowship is a year-long program of civic collaboration
and innovation. The Fellowship partners small teams (the CfA fellows) with
cities and counties to build web and mobile applications and pilot the use of
user-centered design and lean startup techniques within local government.
CfA fellows are highly skilled technology professionals giving a year of service;
they work closely with city staff and the larger community to address a
range of challenges from a fresh perspective. Together, fellows, and city staff
show what’s possible with today’s technology. At the same time, they deeply
engage citizens, build trust and faith in local government, and increase the
transparency and efficiency of government.
BENEFITS TO PARTICIPATION
The Fellowship provides a structured opportunity for
municipalities to experiment with new ideas and technology
solutions that meet civic needs by embedding a small,
nimble team of team of experienced and highly trained
fellows inside the municipality.
CATALYST FOR CIVIC INNOVATION
Each team of fellows does extensive research and networking
as part of the discovery process, interviewing dozens
of city personnel, citizens, and community groups. This
process enables the fellows to develop a comprehensive
understanding of the community and the issue, identify the
biggest opportunities, and end up with both expected and
emergent outcomes.
NEW PERSPECTIVES ON ISSUES YOUR CITY
IS FACING
DEVELOP PRODUCTS THAT ADDRESS
IMPORTANT CITY ISSUES
CfA teams typically design and develop web and mobile
applications to help solve a problem your city is facing.
The modern web app features streamlined user interfaces,
user-centered design, and cutting-edge technology. The
web applications are up and running in just months and
cost significantly less than traditional tech procurements.
Using open source technology, these applications can be
maintained by city staff or anyone who knows the code
language.
BRING CFA TO
YOUR CITY IN 2015
OUR PAST PARTNERS
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Honolulu, HI
Macon, GA
Chicago, IL
Santa Cruz, CA
Austin, TX
New Orleans, LA
Detroit, MI
Seattle, WA
Kansas City, KS & MO
New York City, NY
San Mateo County, CA
South Bend, IN
Summit County, OH
Las Vegas, NV
Louisville, KY
Oakland, CA
San Francisco, CA
COLLABORATION WITH A NETWORK OF CIVIC
INNOVATORS AND THOUGHT LEADERS
Cities and counties in the fellowship program also get a
free year long membership to the Peer Network, a network
of change agents in local government. Membership to the
network is typically valued at $8,000 a year for a city with a
population between 250,000 - 500,000 people.
WHAT YOU WILL GET
• A team of highly accomplished
and trained fellows
• A structured and proven
methodology that encourages
emergent outcomes
• New ideas and approaches to
revitalize local government and
communities
• Access to a network of civic
change agents and thought leaders
• Visibility on a national PR stage

2. VISIBILITY ON A NATIONAL STAGE
Fellowship sites receive extensive local and national
recognition for their participation as we work hard to
showcase the work of our local government partners
through our media outreach, marketing and communications
strategies, and social networking activities.
2015 City Application Timeline
Annually CfA calls for applications for the upcoming years Fellowship
program. The next application period will open in January 2014 for the 2015
program year.
• Experienced young professionals (average age is 30)
• From all over the US
• Highly sought-after experts in tech, design, research, and urban planning
• Selected from a highly competitive process (CfA only accepts 4.5% of
applicants)
• From organizations like Google, Apple, Newsweek, startups, government,
and nonprofits
• Passionate about civic change
• Willing to give a year of their life to public service
JANUARY 2015
MARCH 31, 2014
APRIL 2014
MAY 2014
OCTOBER
15-17 2013
OCTOBER 2014
JANUARY -
MARCH 2014
City Application Period
Deadline for Applications
City Applications Reviewed
Finalists & Alternates Selected
CfA Annual Summit (San Francisco)
2014 Fellowship Cities announced
Selected Cities Announced to the Press
New Class of Fellows Begins Program
DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
WHO ARE THE FELLOWS?
BRING CFA TO YOUR
CITY FOR 2015
Between now and March 31,
2014, our goal is to support
your city in exploring where
and how the CfA Fellowship can
add value in your city. We’d
appreciate an opportunity to
begin exploring what a project
in your city might like look like.
Contact us today -- we are eager
to hear your ideas.
Please contact Luke Norris,
Director of Business
Development, with any
questions about the fellowship
or the funding process.
cityrecruitment@
codeforamerica.org
816.200.8925
Mayor Michael Nutter
City of Philadelphia
“Fellows collaborated with
community members,
local groups and
associations, and various
city departments to not
only build innovative
technology, but also
develop a local movement
of open government
advocates that I’ve seen
firsthand make a real
difference in the city…
This is just the start.
The real impact from
this partnership will be
the ongoing dialogue
and collaboration the
with the constituents of
Philadelphia.
ABOUT CFA
Founded in 2009, Code for America (CfA) is a nonprofit collaborating with local governments to foster and facilitate
innovation in local government. CfA is known for its fellowship program, which has brought tvech professionals to
partner with over 20 city governments to solve problems using new approaches. Through its new Accelerator and
Brigade programs, CfA is connecting cities with startups and volunteers, as well as each other. For more information,
watch founder Jennifer Pahlka’s TED talk: codeforamerica.org/TED or codeforamerica.org.