Forward Montana is seeking ten high school students to participate in our High School Fellowship this coming fall! We’re seeking candidates who are invested in utilizing democracy to create the change they wish to see, who are self-reliant leaders looking to address issues in their communities, and who love to learn about issues deeply and implement those learnings through practice. 

This fellowship will take place over the fall, mostly from August 2nd to mid-November, with some opportunities for leadership building and field work within the fellows’ respective communities over the fall. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, you'll receive a $500 stipend, and will walk away with a robust civic education, some nice merch, and skills in event planning and community organizing.

Who We Are

Forward Montana is dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people and high school students on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.

What You’ll Do

High school fellows report to the Civic Education Organizer, and are responsible for the following:

• As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to complete five training sessions - from how to tell your story of self, to the different paths of organizing, to how to turn people out to vote! These training sessions are a chance to deepen your knowledge of community organizing, relationship building, and to also bond with your fellow fellow. Each training session will be 1.5 hours, and the date(s)/time(s) will be decided ahead of time to make sure we all get to be together. 
• One of the most interactive components of the fellowship is leading field efforts - meaning that fellows get to be the #boss! Fellows will learn how to be confident holding a clipboard, and talking to strangers. You will also get to meet other rad people and support them through proper training and support whether they are volunteers or peers.
• Do you like to have fun? Attend costume parties? Host book clubs? Well as a fellow you will get the chance to plan, coordinate and execute fun events to engage your peers in National Voter Registration Day, a high school voter registration drive, and mobilizing your peers to vote in the upcoming election. You’ll also recruit cool people and volunteers to support you too!

Logistics

• Availability at least 1 night each weeknight bi-weekly is required.
• Fellows will receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the fellowship. 
• Aside from a fun, in-person retreat August 2nd-4th at AMB West Basecamp, the remainder of the fellowship will take place remotely, and there will be opportunities for fellows to execute work within their community.*
• Fellows should be comfortable working remotely while adhering to deadlines and managing time effectively.
• Fellows must be high school students during the Fall of 2025.
• The application closes July 7th, 2025, with a priority application deadline of June 30th, 2025. The start date will be August 2nd.

If you are a high school student in Montana, or you know one who may be interested, please direct any questions to Sylvia (she/her) at sylvia@forwardmontana.org.

People of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

*All in person events are to be determined based on CDC regulations regarding COVID-19