- What is the Flinn-Brown Academy timeline?
The 2025 Flinn-Brown Academy includes an Orientation Lunch, the annual Flinn-Brown Convention, and 12 additional full-day Academy sessions between August and late October.
August 2025
Friday, Aug. 1: Orientation Lunch
Friday, Aug. 15: Flinn-Brown Convention
Thursday, Aug. 21: Economy & Demographics
Friday, Aug. 22: Government and BudgetSeptember 2025
Thursday, Sept. 4: PreK-12 Education
Friday, Sept. 5: Higher Education
Thursday, Sept. 18: Public Health & Health care
Friday, Sept. 19: Human ServicesOctober 2025
Thursday, Oct. 9: Environment
Friday, Oct. 10: Infrastructure
Thursday, Oct. 16: Criminal Justice
Friday, Oct. 17: Communications & Media Relations
Wednesday, Oct. 29: Civic Engagement
Thursday, Oct. 30: Day at the Capitol/Recognition Reception
- Who is selected to be a Flinn-Brown Fellow?
Flinn-Brown Fellows are experienced civic leaders from across Arizona with broadly diverse perspectives, politics, and policy interests. Fellows are experts in their fields and are leaders in Arizona’s urban, rural, and tribal communities. They represent sectors of Arizona’s economy from business and industry to nonprofit and government. The Flinn-Brown Fellowship targets individuals working to address Arizona’s most challenging issues who want deeper knowledge and experience, a connected, diverse network, enhanced leadership skills, and a collaborative atmosphere. To be eligible for the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, applicants must have resided in Arizona for at least three consecutive years within the past 10 years.
- What are the benefits of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship?
The Flinn-Brown Fellowship provides opportunities for civic leaders from throughout Arizona to expand their knowledge, skills and networks to help address Arizona’s long-term issues. The Flinn-Brown Fellowship offers unparalleled learning through the Flinn-Brown Academy with a cohort, skill-building workshops, and the annual Flinn-Brown Convention. Fellows connect with top state leaders and policy experts.
- What are the benefits of joining the Flinn-Brown Network?
Flinn-Brown provides personalized long-term support for all Fellows and encourages participation in the Flinn-Brown Network through skill-building workshops and the annual Flinn-Brown Convention. The Flinn-Brown Network is a powerful body of 465 Fellows who provide support to one another.
- What are the application requirements?
In addition to biographical information, the 2025 application will include six essay prompts regarding the applicant’s civic leadership experience, approach to a public policy issue, future civic leadership goals, response to today’s political climate, plan to utilize the Flinn-Brown Network, and perspective on state government. Applicants also must provide two letters of endorsement, a current resume, a professional headshot, and a 20-second introductory video regarding their interest in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. In addition, applicants were required to confirm their ability to attend all Academy sessions, and candidates who qualify for an interview must submit an employer approval form completed by the candidate’s employer. The application will open Feb. 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28, 2025.
- How do I learn more about the application process?
There are scheduled in-person and virtual information sessions throughout January and February 2025 where potential applicants can learn more about the program and application process. We encourage your to subscribe to our emails to stay updated on the 2025 application process.
- Who is ineligible to apply?
To maintain the integrity and nonpartisan nature of the program, individuals who are current or former state-level elected officials, candidates running for state-level office during an election year, or paid staff of a political party are not eligible to apply for the Flinn-Brown Fellowship.
- Is there an interview process?
Yes. A limited number of applicants are selected for an in-person interview with the Flinn-Brown Selection Committee.
- When are applicants notified about selection decisions?
All applicants, regardless of whether they are invited to interview, are informed of their status following the review committee’s deliberations. A comparable process is followed after the interview stage.
- Who should write letters of endorsement?
Applicants should seek letters of endorsement from individuals who can provide deep insight on the applicant’s background, past leadership experience, potential for greater civic leadership, and readiness to participate in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. These letters are a vital element of the selection process, and we encourage candor and depth from endorsers. Endorsement letters must be submitted directly by the endorser. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all letters are received through the application portal no later than 11:59 p.m. Feb. 28, 2025.
- When does my employer submit the Employer Approval Form?
Applicants selected for an interview must secure prior approval from their employer to attend all Fall Academy sessions before their interview date. Employers will be provided with a letter detailing the Academy schedule and the benefits of their employee’s participation, along with an online Employer Approval Form for submission. For applicants serving as CEOs, approval should be submitted by their board president. Self-employed applicants may provide the approval themselves.
- Is the Academy in-person or is there a virtual option?
All Flinn-Brown Academy days are conducted in person at the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix. Virtual participation is not offered.
- Is there a cost for the Fellowship?
There is no cost to participate in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. The Flinn Foundation, with support from the Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation, covers the cost of participation and supplies for Fellows in the current cohort.
- What if I live outside of Maricopa County?
Hotel accommodations for those attending the Flinn-Brown Academy from outside Maricopa County are provided. Mileage is reimbursed for travelers and carpooling from across the state is encouraged.
- Are there time commitments outside of the Flinn-Brown Academy sessions?
Yes. Fellows should plan for prep time before each Flinn-Brown Academy session. Pre-reading the material provided is extremely important. Fellows are also expected to prepare to engage in thoughtful discussions and deep dialogue. Additionally, Fellows are required to participate in a group project that will require time outside of Academy days for collaboration and coordination teams.
- What if I have to miss a Flinn-Brown Academy Day?
Fellows are required to attend all Flinn-Brown Academy days as participation is the key component of the program. However, we understand that Fellows may have unavoidable conflicts and commitments. If you believe you will miss more than one day (full or in part) over the course of the Academy, we highly encourage you to apply for a future cohort. Please see the Academy schedule here.
- Does the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership help Fellows’ political activities?
The Foundation supports the expression and discussion of ideas, policies, and opinions and encourages everyone to be informed citizens and engage in their communities, especially in Arizona. The Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations prohibiting political and other non-charitable activities, such as campaign activities, electioneering, and lobbying. For more information about the Foundation’s nonpartisan policy, please click here.
