Advocacy for Community Transformation (ACT)
Fellowship

Apply

Fellowship Overview

The Advocacy for Community Transformation (ACT) Fellowship is a competitive six-month leadership and advocacy program designed to equip Arizonans with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to advocate for safer, stronger communities.

The Fellowship brings together individuals impacted by violence, loss, and the criminal legal system, alongside students, emerging professionals, and community members interested in improving public safety.

Through education, mentorship, and hands-on advocacy, fellows will participate in Arizona’s legislative process, engage with policymakers, and develop practical solutions to public safety challenges.

Fellows will also complete an ACT Community Safety Project, identifying a specific, potentially solvable public safety issue in their community and taking meaningful action toward addressing it.

The Fellowship is grounded in the belief that effective public safety solutions require the participation of people directly impacted by public systems and the communities those systems serve.

What Fellows Will Learn

    • Understand how the Arizona Legislature works and how bills become law.

    • Learn to track legislation and evaluate proposed policies.

    • Use Arizona’s Request to Speak (RTS) system.

    • Prepare written and oral legislative testimony.

    • Participate in legislative hearings and advocacy days.

    • Request and prepare for meetings with elected officials.

    • Develop effective talking points and advocacy messages.

    • Learn how state and local governments operate.

    • Understand the responsibilities of elected officials, government agencies, and public institutions.

    • Learn how public safety policies are developed, funded, and implemented.

    • Identify opportunities for community participation in government decision-making.

    • Identify public safety challenges affecting local communities.

    • Develop practical and achievable solutions.

    • Learn power mapping and identify responsible decision-makers.

    • Build relationships with community organizations, advocates, and public officials.

    • Develop communication, coalition-building, and leadership skills.

    • Learn strategies for following up with government agencies and holding decision-makers accountable.

Who Should Apply

Apply

The ACT Fellowship welcomes Arizonans interested in developing advocacy and leadership skills to improve public safety and community well-being.

We especially encourage applications from:

Individuals & Families with Lived Experience

  • Survivors of violence and families impacted by unresolved crimes.

  • Families of homicide victims or missing persons.

  • Individuals and families impacted by police violence.

  • Formerly incarcerated individuals.

  • People impacted by incarceration, probation, parole, or other criminal legal system processes.

Students & Emerging Professionals

  • College students interested in public policy, criminal justice, law, victim advocacy, social work, or related fields.

  • Emerging professionals seeking practical experience in legislative advocacy, government, or community organizing.

Community Members

  • Residents interested in addressing public safety challenges in their neighborhoods.

  • Individuals seeking to become more engaged in local or state government.

  • Community advocates interested in developing practical advocacy and leadership skills.

No prior advocacy, legislative, or government experience is required.

Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to learn, collaborate with others, participate in advocacy activities, and work toward addressing a practical public safety issue in their community.

Fellows will be encouraged to contribute their perspectives and experiences in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful to them.