Rubin Community Fellows Program

Established in June 1990 with an endowment from the Louis & Hortense Rubin Family to Russell Sage College, the Louis & Hortense Rubin Community Fellows Program is a cooperative venture of Russell Sage College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hudson Valley Community College, Emma Willard School, and participating agencies of Rensselaer County. The program is administered by Russell Sage College.

The program provides fellowships and professional development opportunities for faculty of these institutions to work with community agencies in Rensselaer County. By bringing the expertise of teaching professionals to the service of the citizens and agencies of Rensselaer County, the Rubin Community Fellows Program seeks to create collaboration partnerships, leading to creative solutions to economic, organizational, social and managerial problems challenging our community.

Among the agencies which are invited to participate in the program are city and county government, public or private social service agencies, public education, public health, public recreation and public and private arts and entertainment. Activities which may be supported by the program include assessment, evaluation, reorganization, development of programs, management, delivery of services, human and physical resources, expansion of collaborative ventures among agencies, assessment of local, state and federal impact on an agency or agencies, and strategic planning. All activities should work toward strengthening the ability to effectively serve the needs of the people of Rensselaer County.

In the broadest sense, the program has the dual focus of effecting change within participating agencies, and of providing faculty an opportunity to apply their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the community in a new exchange of ideas, as well as the assessment of needs, from both the educational institution and agency perspectives. Typical grants are in the $5,000 to $15,000 range, but can go as high as $35,000 to $40,000. We are eager to fund BIG IDEAS!

February 1: Preliminary Concept Applications due.* Submit online or with this document.
March 1: Applicants notified whether or not selected for review of full proposal
May 1: Final proposals due
May 15: Applicants notified of award decisions
July 1-June 30: Fiscal Year in which projects awarded grants must be completed

*Note: the application format above was updated in January 2022. For the upcoming February 1 2022, either the previous or updated version of the application is acceptable.

Read more about the Louis & Hortense Rubin Community Fellows Program Funding History.

Contact the Rubin Fellows Program at [email protected].