RALEIGH, N.C.–The SECU Foundation has announced a $500,000 grant in support of Lead for North Carolina, a new pilot developed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. Representatives from State Employees’ Credit Union and SECU Foundation joined UNC School of Government faculty and staff on campus for the formal announcement and check presentation made by SECU Foundation Board Chair Bob Brinson.
The grant will assist with first-year funding for 20 college graduates to participate in the cohort program, which is designed to recruit young leaders in the state and provide them with training and placement in a two-year paid local government fellowship.
The UNC School of Government is the largest university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in the United States. Its non-partisan, policy-neutral work helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. The definitive goal of Lead for North Carolina is to improve the quality of life in underserved communities, cultivate the next generation of public service leaders, diversify government, and help bridge the public sector recruiting gap for government/public service organizations.
Participating Lead for North Carolina SECU Fellows will be placed in small towns and counties across the state where community challenges and the need for young talent are the greatest.
“As strong supporters of education, we are proud to partner with the UNC School of Government for our first venture in education funding for college graduates,” said Brinson. “This is an incredible opportunity for North Carolina’s young adult leaders interested in exploring public service careers to learn more about the inner workings of local government and the communities they serve. The Foundation’s grant is an investment in the future of our state, one that we hope will provide significant and long-term dividends for our state and citizens.”
“With a focus in Tier 1 counties, this is a valuable initiative to benefit future leaders in our state,” added SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. “The Lead for North Carolina fellowship complements another Foundation project, the SECU Public Fellows Internship program, which ties into the same theme of connecting bright young talent with opportunities in rural communities. We are excited to