Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship

Job Description 

Next City and Resolve Philly/Germantown Info Hub seek a talented journalist for a one-year reporting fellowship examining solutions to social issues in Germantown and wider Philadelphia. In this role, you will pitch and report news features on the solutions that demonstrate how people and organizations across Philadelphia are improving the lives and material conditions of residents. 

This full-time hybrid fellowship is based in Philadelphia and provides full healthcare benefits, paid vacation and personal days, and professional development opportunities. The one-year position will last from September 2025 to September 2026.

In this role, you will help tell the important stories of a major U.S. city that is often described as a city of firsts, a place with a rich history of social movements and also one that has its unique (and not so unique) issues. Ideal candidates will have a deep understanding of the uniqueness of the neighborhoods across Philadelphia, especially Germantown — or at least have a deep desire to learn more about them through your reporting. You will highlight the solutions being implemented in this unique place. 

As the largest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia serves as a hub for economic, cultural, and educational activities in the region. The city is also increasingly diversifying, so there are plenty of stories to tell about the various communities that call it home.

This fellowship is designed to bring these solutions and underrepresented perspectives to the forefront of the conversation about cities and their future. 

Our Equitable Cities Fellowships aim to provide journalists from communities that are underrepresented in media with the resources and time to delve deeply into beats that news outlets have covered less in recent years. Ideal candidates are early in their careers, have a demonstrated interest in local government policy, and have published clips demonstrating deft reporting on socioeconomic barriers people face and how they affect communities in U.S. cities. 

The fellowship will begin in September 2025. You will work remotely with editors from both publications and periodically in person with the Resolve/Germantown Info Hub team. The fellowship includes a stipend for use on expenses, membership to the professional journalism organization of your choice, or professional development and thought leadership. 

Qualifications include:

• One-plus years of professional journalism or writing experience
• Strong and demonstrated interest in urban affairs, racial justice and social justice
• Outstanding research, writing and fact-checking skills
• Ability to independently develop story ideas and sources
• Efficient and deadline-oriented approach to tasks

Bonus points for the following:

• Demonstrated interest in solutions journalism and movement journalism
• A portfolio that includes coverage of housing, transportation, neighborhood development, economics, agriculture, public health, public policy or related topics
• Familiarity with regional economies, cultural connection, planning and development, and policy changes
• Experience in writing and producing newsletters, hosting webinars, moderating panel discussions and producing short-form social video

If you don't tick off every qualification above but are interested in this position and meet a portion of them, please still apply. We want to hear from everyone who is interested in this opportunity.

To apply, please submit the following in one PDF: 

• A cover letter – it can be short, but this helps us get to know you!
• A resume or CV
• Three published articles (hyperlinks or PDFs), preferably including at least one demonstrating your reporting on urban policy or a prevalent challenge facing cities today

Email your materials to info@nextcity.org with the subject line “Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship - Philly.”

About Next City

Founded in 2003, Next City’s journalism centers marginalized voices while amplifying solutions to the problems that oppress people in cities. At a time when cities face rampant inequality and urgent challenges, Next City’s work is critical: by spreading real stories and workable ideas from one city to the next, we connect people, places and solutions that move our society toward justice and equity.

Next City’s readers are the city-builders who share our vision for the transformation of cities. Our core audience consists of individuals working in city planning, finance, architecture, media, academia, transportation, the arts — or within any sector that must collaborate to make cities run more equitably. 

Next City publishes hundreds of stories on solutions to urban issues each year. Learn more at nextcity.org/about.

About Resolve Philly

Resolve Philly launched in 2018 with a mission to reimagine local journalism through equity, collaboration, and community engagement. What began as a collaborative reporting initiative has grown into a leading force for civic-centered, solutions-focused journalism in Philadelphia. Today, we build and sustain a more inclusive local news ecosystem—one where residents, especially those in historically underserved communities, are partners in publishing relevant, actionable information that reflects their lives and supports their power. Our work is guided by three core principles: community fueled and participatory journalism, equitable information access, and civic engagement. 

Resolve’s programs create a responsive, people-powered information network across Philadelphia:

• Community Engagement: We listen first—ensuring our journalism is grounded in the needs and priorities of the people we serve.
• Hyperlocal News Hubs: Our Germantown Info Hub model supports community-led journalism that centers local voices and solutions—and is designed to scale to other neighborhoods.
• Equally Informed Philly Textline: A bilingual (English and Spanish) text-based service delivering verified news and resources to residents facing digital access barriers.
• Philly Documenters: We train and pay residents to cover public meetings, strengthening civic participation and government accountability.