The Rural Youth Empowerment (RYE) Fellowship is a paid four-month skill-building and leadership development program for LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas of North Carolina. The program supports RYE Fellows in successfully executing a social justice project serving rural communities while they develop skills in community organizing and nonprofit management.
Over the semester, RYE Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend, tailored coaching and mentorship, and hands-on leadership development through a series of virtual and in-person trainings. Fellows will also have the opportunity to design and implement a social change project in their community, gaining real-world experience in advocacy, organizing, and community building. Throughout the fellowship, participants are supported by a statewide network of peers, mentors, and Equality NC staff committed to nurturing their growth as emerging LGBTQ+ leaders.
The RYE Fellowship cohort meets online monthly, and Fellows have opportunities to attend in-person gatherings throughout the semester.
To be eligible for the RYE Fellowship, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26, identify as LGBTQ+, currently live in North Carolina, and live in or have deep ties to a rural community. Fellows must be motivated and able to work independently. We are committed to cultivating a diverse cohort of fellows. As such, we especially welcome applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to: Black and brown folks, people with disabilities, DACA or undocumented folks, individuals from lower-income backgrounds, first-generation college/community college students and recent graduates, and/or people living with HIV/AIDS.
RYE Fellowship applications are open through July 31. If you are interested in the fellowship opportunity, please fill out the application form.
Questions? Check out the FAQ below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email us at fellowship@equalitync.org.
Equality NC‘s RYE Fellowship provides a cohort of young adult LGBTQ+ leaders in rural areas with the following resources and opportunities:
Leadership institutes & workshops
Fellows come together in person throughout the semester for weekend-long leadership institutes led by Equality NC staff and community partners.
Monthly cohort video calls
Fellows will attend monthly cohort meetings to share progress on their projects, exchange ideas and suggestions, and participate in virtual training.
Mentoring from a community leader/organizer
Fellows will be paired with a mentor with expertise related to each fellow’s project. Mentors will provide ongoing support throughout the year, providing feedback on fellowship project components and connecting Fellows to professional networks. Fellows will also develop strong relationships with the broader ENC staff and access as-needed coaching from the ENC team.
Fellowship funding
Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend (paid in two installments) as compensation for their time and participation in the program. They will also receive funding to support independent project work.
Professional development
Fellows will have access to professional development opportunities and serve as representatives of the organization alongside ENC staff members. Previous Fellow cohorts have attended the national Creating Change conference and traveled to Washington, D.C., to share their stories with their representatives in Congress.
Additional opportunities
Throughout the year, Equality NC will invite Fellows to share their stories on social media and through ENC newsletters. Fellows will also have opportunities to attend major Equality NC events.
Independent projects
Equality NC staff and Fellowship mentors will work closely with each Fellow to support them in creating a community-based social justice project.
Examples of project focus areas may include, but are not limited to, access to healthcare, developing resources for rural communities (particularly Spanish-language resources), starting support/discussion groups, elections and voting rights, field organizing, combating substance abuse, domestic violence, high incarceration rates and the school-to-prison pipeline, engaging faith communities, organizing LGBTQ+ events (prides, film screenings, town hall meetings, etc.), K-12 school staff education, advocating for inclusive policies and laws, etc.
Who is eligible to apply?
The RYE Fellowship is open to LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18-26 residing in rural North Carolina.
What counts as rural?
The fellowship is open to North Carolina residents who live outside of major city centers (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Asheville are examples of major city centers). Individuals living in smaller towns and communities throughout NC are eligible.
If I am not currently living in a rural community but am from a rural community in NC, can I apply to develop a project for my rural community?
If you have strong ties to a rural community in NC, you are eligible for this fellowship, and we invite you to apply. However, all projects must focus on rural communities (i.e., if you are from Hendersonville but live in Durham, your fellowship project should not be geared towards Durham LGBTQ+ communities).
How do I apply?
Please complete our application form by July 31st.
I’m not eligible for the RYE Fellowship, but I'm interested in getting involved. How can I help?
There are many opportunities for ENC supporters to contribute to the RYE Fellowship program. Would you like to offer your skills and expertise as a mentor to one of our Fellows? Can you offer us spaces to host events and meetings? Can you donate snacks or meals to our program? Do you want to contribute to our Fellow stipends? Please send us an email at enc@equalitync.org.
What if I don’t have a fully formed project?
The RYE Fellowship is designed to provide all of the tools and support needed for Fellows to design and implement a community-based project. You do not need to have an existing project or idea for a project to apply – just a passion for creating change and an interest in exploring and addressing issues that you see in your community.
How do the stipends work?
Fellows will receive a stipend of $2,000, disbursed in two installments throughout the semester. The stipend is considered taxable income.
Is this a job? How much time will I spend in RYE programming?
The RYE Fellowship does not require you to track your hours like a full-time job might. However, we expect Fellows to dedicate approximately 15 hours per month to Fellowship-related activities. Each Fellow will participate in a monthly cohort call, receive coaching from a dedicated mentor, and devote additional time to working on their independent projects.
Read about former RYE Fellows and their projects here.
