What is the SEED (Strategy, Empowerment, Education, Development) Fellowship?

API PA and AACFPA are holding our annual paid fellowship program for Asian American community members over the age of 18 who are currently based in Pennsylvania to help us connect with our diverse communities, elect representatives of, by, and for us, and build a state that finally works for all who call it home.

Now is the time to stand up against the anti-Asian, anti-immigrant forces that threaten the safety and dignity of our communities. It is crucial that we unite, take action, and protect our people. Join us in the fight for justice—come work with us to develop the skills, knowledge, and power to push back against oppression.

This is an opportunity for community members, especially ones who want to become community leaders and advocates, to learn how to fight for our communities. You will level up your skills as a community organizer, receive mentorship, and get connected with a network of Asian American movement builders and leaders in PA.

Applications are due April 20, 2025

What is the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance?

The Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance's (API PA) mission is to build long-term power for AAPIs in Pennsylvania to shift the policies and rules that govern our state. We do this by: coordinating political, electoral, and legislative work to hold our elected officials accountable, engaging in culturally competent and linguistically accessible voter outreach with our communities, bringing new people into political action by deeply investing in local leadership, and building solidarity with other aligned communities of color to grow progressive majorities at the local and state level.

What is the Asian American Community Fund of Pennsylvania?

The Asian American Community Fund of PA (AACFPA) is the first statewide organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering Asian American communities across the Commonwealth. Formed by leaders across our diverse communities who have spent decades uplifting their communities, the AACFPA supports local Asian American associations and organizations to bring our people together, celebrate our cultures and traditions, and promote civic engagement to ensure that Pennsylvania is a safe and welcoming home for our communities. We do what our people have always done - provide resources and care to each other, lift each other up, and bring generations together to ensure everyone can thrive.

What's in a Fellowship?

Time Commitment

• The 2025 Cohort of the SEED Fellowship will take place from June to August 2025 This 9 week long commitment will involve approximately 20 hours/week of political education, trainings, mentorship, and community organizing work

How You'll Spend Your Time as a SEED Fellow

• We will be employing a combination of virtual learning sessions and in-person learning sessions. These learning sessions will include:
  • Reflecting on personal identities, values and leadership
  • Discussion and learnings on organizing in Asian American communities
  • Political Education
  • Trainings
    • Communication skills
    • Organizing Skills
    • How to have 1:1 meetings and organizing conversations
    • Identifying community issues and developing a strategic issue campaign
    • How to use data for strategic campaigns
    • Canvassing and Phone banking
  • Guest Lectures
• Experiential learning (10 hours, combination of below)
  • All-fellow check ins (1~hour)
  • Weekly check ins with your staff lead (30~ min)
  • 1:1s (3 new 1:1s weekly, for 1 hour each after Session 4)
  • Voter registration (1 event a week for 2~ hours)
  • Independent Work

Fellowship expectations

• Attend all training sessions
• Attend all fellow check-ins
• Attend weekly check-ins with your staff lead
• Complete independent work assignments
• Complete experiential learning work assignments
• Attend API PA/AACFPA events

What do Fellows get from the program?

In exchange for a commitment to the full program, Fellows will get:

• Financial compensation
  • $16/hr for all Fellowship-related activities, including training and meeting time, paid in stipend installments
• Training and leadership development
  • Organizing Skills Trainings
  • Ongoing mentorship from API PA/AACFPA staff and peer-to-peer support
• Skill-building and hands-on experience
  • Support to grow their leadership and skills in an organization with a bold approach to electoral politics and year-round community engagement
• Meaningful networks and community
  • Connection to a larger local, statewide, and national community of Asian American movement builders and organizers