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Dear Employer,
I’m writing to request professional development funding for a program to which I am applying, the 5280 Fellowship.
The 5280 Fellowship is a nine-month experience for emerging leaders in Denver. The program is based on models like The Fellows Initiative and the White House Fellows, two well-respected programs recognized for developing high-impact leaders. The 5280 Fellowship is focused on helping its participants gain skills in three areas: leadership and service, Christian theology and spiritual formation, and community networks and modern culture.
Leadership & Service. Since the program is for young professionals who have full-time jobs, the Fellowship will focus on (1) deepening self-awareness (skills, emotional intelligence, talents, weak spots, personal story), and (2) motivating action through a project that solves one big problem in a fellow’s organization, community or broader profession.
Theology & Formation. This focus will give Fellows a Christian framework in which to discuss complex moral questions with a trusted group of peers from other organizations across the city. These facilitated discussions will emphasize applying clear moral and cultural thinking to my work at [name of employer] and provide a professional development opportunity that aligns with my personal values.
Community & Culture. The Fellowshipinvolves meeting several of our city's best leaders in business, academia, church, government, healthcare, and education. This cross-sector approach and crash course in leadership is, as some say, better caught than taught. It will provide valuable networking opportunities and a first-person view into how Denver's leaders navigate tough circumstances in day-to-day work.
Also, compared to other similar programs, I believe this program will better allow me to grapple with difficult moral and philosophical questions while growing in friendship with a network of top-notch leaders in our city. It’s a holistic approach to leadership development — one I know I could personally benefit from and apply to my work here.
The cost of tuition for the year is $2,450 and the program runs September 2017-May 2018. (I do not anticipate needing to take time out of the business day for this program.) The deadline for the full tuition payment is September 1, 2017.I’d be grateful if you’d consider investing in my professional development through the 5280 Fellowship. If you’d like more information, you can go to: 5280fellows.com.
Again, thanks for considering my request. It is my intent to further serve this company through learning and growing as a 5280 Fellow.
Sincerely,
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