Our Program

The BridgesNY Fellowship is structured around monthly convenings that rotate between in-person all day learning sessions, virtual evening deep dives and social and networking events with special guests.


In addition to these monthly events, this fully-funded fellowship includes a 2-day orientation retreat, a 5-6 day international trip and a trip to the Somos Conference in Puerto Rico. FELLOWS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL  EVENTS.

APPLY HERE

MENTORSHIP

& NETWORKING

“We are bridge-builders and working to ensure that we can all focus more on what unites us than what divides us and drives us into destructive conflict…I am glad that I can rely not only on this cohort but its leadership to provide strategies.”

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Learning & Development Opportunities: Our curriculum and events draw from guest speakers and experts in the field of politics, media, NYC history, policy and transformative leadership. Topics may include:


  • Communications: Storytelling & Narratives


  • Intergenerational Dialogue


  • Building & Managing Campaign Staff


  • Coalition Building & Organizing


  • Interfaith and Intergroup Community Building


  • Hate Crimes: NYC History and Responses
  • Conflict, Mediation and Negotiation


  • Understanding Power Centers in NYC Government


  • Ethics in Politics


  • Small Business Perspectives & MWBE’s


  • Zoning, Housing and Development


  • Climate Change & Sustainability

DEVELOPING

MEANINGFUL

RELATIONSHIPS

All events will include opportunities to connect, reflect and learn from each other. The fellowship will launch with an orientation retreat and includes a 5-6-day international trip and a 4-day trip to the Somos Conference in Puerto Rico.

“We all came into this program from a different place in our careers – some have already decided they want to run for office, some are former candidates, some are district leaders and hope to run for higher office, while others, like me, are just wondering if this is the right path for us. No matter how we started, though, I think we can agree that Bridges has helped us understand the change that we want to become.”

Deep Dives are virtual workshops focused on a specific topic . Past topics have included “Getting things done in City Government,” “So you want to run for office?” and “Understanding and Addressing Toxic Polarity.”   

Learning Sessions are full day in person “mini-conferences” involving guest speakers, panel discussions, site visits and action planning. Past topics have included, building interfaith and intergenerational dialogue, facilitating dialogue and rejecting bias, addressing the intertwined challenges of affordable housing and climate change and leveraging power centers in NYC to create change. 

Social Events  include food, drinks and opportunities to interact and connect informally with other fellows and special guests!

Attendance at all events and trips is required in order to participate in the fellowship.  Applicants will be asked to submit a “letter of support” from their employer.

Who Should Apply?


  • BridgesNY Fellows are current government, public policy or advocacy professionals serving populations in New York City.


  • BridgesNY Fellows have demonstrated a commitment to supporting communities in New York City and are interested in running for public office.


  • Applications for the 2026 Cohort open April 15, 2026 (for a July start date). Candidates must submit a completed application, including a resume, responses to 3 brief essay questions (including a short video), and a letter of support from their current supervisor by May 15, 2026.
APPLY HERE


  • Questions? Contact Rachel Lissy, Director, BridgesNY Fellowship at  lissyr@jcrcny.org