Accepting Applications for BPI’s Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellows!

BPI created the Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellowship in 1999 to honor Alexander Polikoff, who served as BPI’s Executive Director for 29 years, and Dorothy Gautreaux, pictured at left, the public housing activist and lead plaintiff in the landmark lawsuit to desegregate Chicago’s public housing system.

Each fall, BPI hires a recent law or policy school graduate to become a Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellow for a two-year term, beginning the following fall. Throughout their two years, fellows develop the experience, skills, and network critical to a rewarding career in public interest advocacy, and past fellows have gone on to pursue successful careers in nonprofit leadership, affordable housing law, legal aid, civil rights advocacy, and government. Current BPI Board President Nick Brunick, is himself a former Polikoff-Gautreaux Fellow.

Requirements of the Fellowship are:

• Either a JD or MA/MS in public policy or related field (by Fellowship start)
• Demonstrated interest or experience in one of BPI’s program areas
• Accomplished oral and writing skills
• Strong academic record
• Initiative, creativity and flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations, constituent groups, government agencies, and civic leaders.

Fellows receive an annual salary of $46,000 with medical and dental coverage. Debt service on law school or graduate school loans for the duration of the Fellowship may be available, based on need. The fellowship term is one year, renewable for a second, beginning in Summer or Fall 2015.

Send resume, writing sample, references and a cover letter detailing interest in the position by Friday, October 17, 2014 to fellowships@bpichicago.org or via postal mail (postmarked by October 17, 2014) to:

BPI Polikoff–Gautreaux Fellowship
25 East Washington Street, Suite 1515
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312-641-5570

BPI is an equal opportunity employer. Persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.