Downtown Academy
Applications are Now Open for Class 12!
Please review the Class 12 Syllabus to review program requirements and fees.
Deadline for applications is May 11th, 2025 at 11:59pm.
About Downtown Academy
The Downtown Fresno Partnership/Foundation established Downtown Academy in 2010 with Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals to answer the question: how do we make Downtown Fresno a vibrant place to live and work?
This year, the program enters its 12th cohort with well over 200 graduating members.
So, what is Downtown Academy? Downtown Academy is a 9-month award-winning collaborative program designed to connect key business, government, and community leaders with forward-thinking young professionals to explore Downtown Fresno, how we got here and where we’re headed.
Downtown Academy received the 2016 Leadership & Management Excellence Award from the International Downtown Association and has been referred to by former Fresno mayor, Ashley Swearengin, as “one of the best programs to come out of the revitalization movement”.
Program Goals
- A class curriculum that explores the complexities of urban renewal.
- An overnight field trip to other cities to help visualize successful revitalization strategies.
- Completion of volunteer hours and a Pechakucha style presentation.
- Become a downtown champion, and member of a tight-knit group that supports vibrancy, innovation, advocacy, and partnerships in our downtown!
Program Timeline
- April 17th, 2025: Application Open
- May 11th, 2025: Application Closes 11:59pm
- May 21st, 2025: Class 12 Students Informed
- June 4th 2025:
- Class 12 Agreement and Waiver Signed and Submitted
- Bio and Photo Submitted
- June 26th, 2025 – February 19th, 2026: Program
- February 19th , 2026: Graduation