Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Allies?
Public Allies promotes the leadership of the many. Leaders must come from all backgrounds and all parts of a community if we are going to solve our most urgent problems. We identify and develop diverse, young leaders (Allies) in 15 communities across the country. These leaders are committed to working for community and social change in their home communities.

 On average, Allies are 67% people of color, 60% women, 50% college graduates (including some with graduate degrees), and 15% LGBT. Most Allies live in the community they serve, but Public Allies sites will consider Allies who come from a community without a local Public Allies program.
To participate in the program, individuals must be between ages 18 and 30, have at least a high school diploma or GED, and be committed to making a difference. We value commitment and leadership potential more than educational background or relevant work history—it’s the diversity of our Ally network that is our greatest strength, so all are welcome.

What do Allies do?
Allies serve four days a week for 10 months at local nonprofits, where they create, improve and expand services that address issues including youth development, education, public health, economic development, and the environment.

Once a week, Allies participate in a rigorous leadership development program in which local community leaders and expert practitioners lead workshops. In addition, Allies participate in community building activities, contribute to team service projects, and receive individual coaching to support their professional development during their apprenticeship.

What do Allies learn?
Our leadership development program challenges and supports Allies to become leaders who connect across social boundaries, facilitate collaborative action, recognize and mobilize community assets, commit to continuous learning and self-development, and be accountable for creating impact. Allies gain a deep knowledge of their community and important skills from local community leaders, practitioners, and educators. They also learn much from the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, issue focuses and neighborhoods of their fellow Allies.

What pay and benefits do Allies receive?
Allies are AmeriCorps members and receive a stipend and benefits for their service. Allies are paid a stipend between $1,250 and $1,800 a month (depending on the community), and they receive health care, child care, interest-free student loan deferments, and a $4,725 education award to pay back student loans or pay for future education.

What happens after the program?
We help Allies identify and pursue future career and educational goals. In some cases, we can help Allies secure additional education support and connect alumni with employers. Our Alumni programs also sponsor graduates to go to Washington, D.C. and learn about advocacy on Capitol Hill, provide grants for innovative projects, and offer other forms of support to the network.

Why should I become an Ally?
Join more than 2,200 Alumni who have already started to make a career out of making a difference. More than 95% of Allies would participate again if they could, and over 80% of Alumni continue to work in the nonprofit and public sectors.

You can gain valuable leadership skills, receive personalized coaching to pursue your career goals, build relationships with a diverse network of local leaders, participate in a national movement of leaders working for change and GET PAID TO DO ALL OF THIS!

Is Public Allies  successful?

More than 2,200 Allies have completed the program. More than 95% of Allies have met or exceeded their service goals helping tens of thousands of children, adults and families achieve greater education, health, economic security, and participation in the civic life of their communities. In addition, more than 95% of Allies would participate again in our program if they could. Over 80% of Alumni continue to work in the nonprofit and public sectors, and they participate in volunteer, civic and political activities at more than twice the rate of their age cohort. Public Allies is recognized for having many best practices in our field, and we were the first grantee of AmeriCorps to be hired to provide training and technical assistance to all of their other grantees. Last year, the Pew Partnership for Civic Change honored Public Allies with their prestigious Civic Change Award.

How do I apply to be an Ally?                                                                                                1.     Complete a Public Allies application (check the deadline for the site to which you are applying).

2.     If selected, participate in two interviews with Public Allies

3.     If selected as a finalist, interview with partner organization finalists and rank them

4.     Get matched and begin changing your life and changing your community

How are Partner Organizations selected?

Nonprofit organizations are welcomed to apply to host a Public Ally who have projects that create, improve or expand services to meet community needs with measurable results. Allies have served at organizations focused on youth, education, economic development, health, arts, environment and other social and community services. To apply, nonprofit organizations create a well-defined position with significant responsibilities and measurable service objectives that can be achieved by working 32 to 40 hours each week. Partner Organizations commit to pay their portion of the Ally stipend (between 65% and 85% of the Ally stipend depending on the site) and FICA taxes (Public Allies pays for health care, child care and a post-service education award). Finally, the organizations identify a supervisor who will support the Ally’s service and professional growth and demonstrate that they have a positive supportive work environment.

Once nonprofits apply, they are visited by Public Allies to assess their commitment to the program and ensure the position meets Public Allies and AmeriCorps requirements. Partner Organization finalists are invited to a matching fair, where they will interview 3-7 Ally finalists who meet their qualifications. Partner Organizations rank the candidates they interview and candidates rank the Partner Organizations they interview. We pick the best matches.

 To complete an application to become a Partner Organization, click here.

What is AmeriCorps?                                                                                                                     AmeriCorps is a federal program operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency created in 1993 by President Clinton. Since inception, more than 500,000 Americans have participated in AmeriCorps, and 75,000 are participating this year. AmeriCorps provides grants to private nonprofit organizations and schools to contribute to the costs of stipends, benefits, training and other support to Americans serving full-time or part-time meeting critical needs in communities. AmeriCorps is a public-private partnership, so programs are also required to raise matching dollars in their communities.

Every program funded by AmeriCorps is considered an AmeriCorps program, and every participant in an AmeriCorps program is called an AmeriCorps member. Public Allies was identified by former President George H.W. Bush as a model for a national service program in 1992. President Clinton also recognized Public Allies as a model for AmeriCorps, and we were one of the original AmeriCorps programs.

Why work for a nonprofit?

The nonprofit sector employs 14 million people, almost 11% of the US workforce and more than in the construction, utilities and entertainment industries combined. A recent study indicates that nonprofit organizations will need 640,000 new leaders over the next decade. Nonprofit organizations need a wide variety of skill sets to operate effectively – business management, marketing and communications, human resources, information technology, accounting, education, social work and more. Many nonprofits, including Public Allies, pay competitive salaries for many positions (many people are surprised, for example, to learn that the average nonprofit executive director in Milwaukee earns about $90,000 a year) and offer a full array of benefits, including health care, matching 401k plans, and generous vacation. One recent study found that nonprofit employees enjoyed their jobs and employers more than private sector and public sector employees doing similar jobs. At nonprofit organizations, people can have a great career while also making a great difference. To learn more about the nonprofit workforce, click here.