City Advocates

Downtown Cleveland’s Group of Passionate City Builders

Downtown Cleveland’s City Advocates program develops the next generation of city builders. Throughout the nine-month program, participants gain a greater appreciation for our community’s assets, understand the complexity of the challenges it faces, and learn to become part of the solutions that drive change. Upon graduating, City Advocates are provided the opportunity to be elected to serve on one of our committees. Following successful completion of committee work, City Advocates are eligible to be considered as a candidate to serve on one of our boards.

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City Advocates

Program Goal

The goal of the City Advocates program is to build a vibrant, diverse coalition of Downtown champions who will support our mission; to create an inclusive 24/7 global city and welcoming beacon of talent that weaves downtown districts and surrounding neighborhoods into a seamless urban fabric.

Participant Benefits

Engagement, Education, and Exposure

As a City Advocate, you will:

Meet and learn from Cleveland’s top civic leaders; Downtown Cleveland board directors, ambassadors, & staff; and a diverse pool of Downtown professionals 
Gain insight into the inner workings of historical and current developments in Downtown Cleveland  
Practice active teamwork and program development skills 
Receive exclusive invitations to events, networking socials, and volunteer opportunities
Access opportunities to participate in and network with Downtown Cleveland’s boards and committees

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
No more than 24 cohort members will be chosen through a highly competitive selection process and assigned to one of three facets, collaborating with Downtown Cleveland staff to program and schedule two session days throughout the program year, plus one collaborative session day in December when all three groups will contribute to the day’s planning. Program facets include:
- Place Management
- Economic Development & Planning
- Downtown Cleveland Champions
See 2024 Program Schedule (content subject to change)
• Do I have to live or work in Downtown Cleveland to participate in the City Advocates?
Although we encourage all City Advocates to live, work, or play in Downtown Cleveland, what we seek most are passionate city builders who want to invest their time, talent, and treasure into our city center!
• What will my monthly time commitment be as a member?
You can expect to commit to attending an 8-hour session day once per month over the course of seven months, with an additional varied amount of time spent throughout the program year working with your facet to program two of the session days. Session days are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from June 11th through December 10th. There will also be a one and a half hour evening Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 16th; a one and a half day Opening Retreat on Thursday, May 15th through Friday, May 16th; and a two-hour celebration on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026. To remain in the program, City Advocates are required to attend the Meet and Greet, Opening Retreat, and all seven session days unless prior arrangements have been made with the program director.
• What does a program day look like?
The day will begin by networking with your cohort over breakfast, followed by a guest speaker or panel. A mix of guest speakers, panelists, tours, and engaging team building activities will take place throughout the day with two fifteen-minute breaks and lunch in between. The session will end with a debriefing of the day’s agenda during happy hour and the completion of a survey to provide us feedback on how to make the program even better.
Note: Breakfast and lunch are provided, dietary restrictions will be accommodated. City Advocates are responsible for paying for their own parking unless otherwise noted. Additionally, City Advocates are responsible for their own happy hour meals and beverages.
• When does the application process begin?
The portal for 2025 applicants will open January 15th and close February 28th. Acceptance notifications will be sent on Monday, March 17th. Tuition fees will be due no later than Friday, April 4th.
• What does the tuition fee cover?
Tuition is $1,200 and can be paid by the individual or employer, due no later than Friday, April 4th. Tuition goes towards the operation of the program and includes:
• Ticket to Downtown Cleveland’s Annual Meeting (October)
• Invitation to the Downtown Cleveland Improvement Corporation’s Annual Meeting (October)
• Meals (breakfast + lunch during each session day; breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the Opening Retreat)
• Materials
• Any necessary session day transportation
• Graduation celebration
• What do I do if I or my employer cannot afford the tuition fee?
Please contact us at Downtown Cleveland.