Leadership Development - SBS

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Building Creative Capacity

Communications Assistance

Commercial District Needs Assessments (CDNAs)

Guide to Starting a Merchants Association

Leadership Development

Legal Assistance

Nonprofit Management Assistance

Storefront Improvement

Additional Resources

Community-Based Organization Job Board

Neighborhood Development Map


Leadership Development

We offer leadership development programs that train emerging and established professionals in new ways to lead change in their organizations and communities and enhance the vitality of the city's commercial districts:

Leadership Development Programs

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Select a program name, or press the enter key on a program name, to view more information.

The Corridor Connection

We are partnering with Community Resource Exchange to offer "The Corridor Connection" a professional development series for public-facing staff, including business outreach, beautification, sanitation, security, or operations teams.

This cohort program offers an engaging and interactive learning experience designed to enhance participants' skills in building relationships, team collaboration, and service delivery. Through a combination of the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, reflective practice, peer learning, and dynamic discussions, participants will gain practical tools to elevate their performance and contribute to their organization's impact. Sessions will focus on communication, managing relationships, and aligning everyday roles with the broader mission, ensuring a well-rounded, applied learning journey.

This program includes four 2-hour group sessions, administering an insight assessment, and two individual virtual coaching sessions. The first session will take place on February 5, 2025, from 2 - 4 p.m., with subsequent sessions taking place on March 5, April 2, and May 8, 2025.

Join our informational session on Wednesday, December 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Register here.

How to Apply

Apply for The Corridor Connection

The application deadline is December 20, 2024. Please contact Jen Benstraum if you have any questions.

Neighborhood Leadership Program

We partner with the Coro New York Leadership Center to help staff from community-based organizations across New York City develop leadership skills, learn new approaches to commercial revitalization, and connect to key stakeholders and resources critical to leading change in their organizations and commercial districts. The Neighborhood Leadership Program is made possible by Community Development Block Grant funding through the Avenue NYC program.

The six-month program teaches innovative management strategies, how to support small businesses and strengthen commercial districts, and provides access to a network of more than 2,000 engaged alumni making positive change in New York City.

Learn more about past participants of the Neighborhood Leadership program.

How to Apply

Applications for the Neighborhood Leadership Program are now closed. Please check back for future opportunities.

Neighborhood 360° Fellows

Neighborhood 360° Fellows help community-based organizations complete commercial revitalization projects and connect local stakeholders to City resources. The fellows are paid by SBS and are full-time community development professionals, community organizers, or planners. We aim to build a network of leaders prepared with commercial revitalization expertise and experience in New York City neighborhoods.

Meet the former Neighborhood 360° Fellows.

Who Can Apply

Fellows

Must meet these minimum criteria:

New York City resident (within 90 days of the start date)

One or more year(s) of community outreach, organizing, and/or planning experience

Have an interest in economic development and working with the host site neighborhood/community

Read the Neighborhood 360° Fellows program guidelines for more information.

Host Sites

Must meet these minimum criteria:

Nonprofit community-based organization (Business Improvement Districts, local development corporations, merchant associations, and other organizations) that implement commercial revitalization projects and are operating in New York City and incorporated in New York State

Able to assist in recruiting candidates and interviewing finalists

Able to provide the fellow with a desk and supporting equipment (i.e. computer and access to organization's phone)

Time and willingness to act as a mentor for the fellow

What Fellows Do

Neighborhood 360° Fellows are full-time, paid employees placed in New York City community-based organizations for 10 months to implement commercial revitalization projects and connect stakeholders to City resources. Types of projects include:

Business Attraction/Retention: Attract new businesses or retain existing businesses to ensure commercial districts have a diverse retail mix that serves the community and reduces the retail vacancy rate.

Merchant Organizing: Lead the strategic planning, outreach, and organizing efforts to create a new or revitalize an existing merchant association.

Placemaking: Cultivate a sense of place that capitalizes on the unique characteristics of the commercial district, incorporating key traits of the neighborhood and activating public space for the community.

Past host sites and projects can be viewed here.

How To Apply

Applications for Neighborhood 360° Fellows are currently closed.