Public Allies has received a $6.6 million AmeriCorps grant to place 288 paid apprentices with nonprofit organizations across the United States. Each position includes a living stipend, professional development, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion.
For young adults searching for meaningful work in a tough job market, a new wave of paid apprenticeships is opening up. Public Allies, a Milwaukee-based national nonprofit with more than three decades of experience developing community leaders, has secured a $6.6 million grant from AmeriCorps to fund 288 paid apprenticeship positions at nonprofit organizations across the country.
The announcement, made July 16, 2026, comes as Gen Z workers face one of the most difficult job markets in recent memory. Public Allies says its model is designed specifically for young people who may not have a traditional college path but are looking for purposeful, career-connected work in the public and nonprofit sectors.
About the Program
Public Allies refers to its apprentices as “Allies.” Unlike technical apprenticeship programs focused on a single skill, the Public Allies model centers on relationship-based leadership development. Apprentices are placed directly with nonprofit host organizations, where they take on real responsibilities — from direct community service and program coordination to community-building initiatives.
At the same time, apprentices receive structured mentorship, leadership training, and the support of a peer cohort throughout their term of service. The skills developed through the program — relationship-building, community leadership, empathy, cultural competence, and collaboration — are ones the organization says technology cannot replace.
“Public Allies apprenticeships serve as a much-needed, alternative pathway to career development, especially for those who don’t have access to higher education and are searching for purpose-driven work,” Jenise Terrell, CEO of Public Allies, said in a news release. “Public Allies is committed to supporting these often overlooked, emerging leaders with opportunities to serve their communities and build a meaningful career in the public sector.”
With the AmeriCorps grant, Public Allies will place 288 apprentices with nonprofit partners in communities nationwide, providing each with a living stipend, professional development resources, and mentorship for the duration of their service term. Upon successful completion, apprentices receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, a federal benefit that can be applied toward future college costs or existing student loan debt.
Why This Matters for Students
The apprenticeship model Public Allies offers is particularly well-suited for students and recent graduates who are weighing alternatives to traditional employment, exploring careers in the nonprofit or public sector, or looking for a way to build their resumes while earning income. The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award adds a financial-aid dimension that makes the program even more valuable: for those already carrying student loan debt, the award provides a concrete way to reduce that burden after completing a term of service.
The program is also notable for its explicit focus on emerging leaders who have historically been overlooked — people who may lack professional networks, formal credentials, or access to the kinds of internships that often require unpaid availability. By pairing a living stipend with structured mentorship and real-world nonprofit work, Public Allies is trying to level a playing field that often disadvantages first-generation students and young adults from under-resourced communities.
The broader context matters, too. As federal and philanthropic funding for workforce development continues to evolve, AmeriCorps-backed programs like this one represent a significant investment in service-oriented career pathways. Public Allies has been operating this model for more than 35 years, giving it a track record that sets it apart from newer workforce initiatives.
Eligibility & Next Steps
Public Allies is actively recruiting Allies for the upcoming program cycle. The organization is also seeking nonprofit partner organizations interested in hosting apprentices in their communities. While the announcement does not specify a formal age cutoff, Public Allies programs traditionally serve young adults, typically between the ages of 18 and 30, who are committed to community service and leadership development.
Prospective apprentices and host organizations can find program details, eligibility requirements, and application instructions at publicallies.org. For additional questions, the organization can be reached at ninak@publicallies.org.
Source: Public Allies, Inc.