Downtown Academy
Apply Now
Class 13 Applications are now live!
Applications close on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
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 13th cohort with well over 300 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”.
Check out the Class 13 Guide!
Class Schedule
Thurs, June 18, 2026 | Opening Session
Thurs, July 23, 2026
Thurs, August 20, 2026
Thurs, September 17, 2026
Fri - Sat, October 23 - 24, 2026 | Class Trip
Thurs, November, 19, 2026
Thurs, December 17, 2026
Thurs, January 21, 2027
Thurs, February 18, 2027
Thurs, February 25, 2027 | Graduation
Tuition - $500
Please see the Class Guide to learn more about payment and options to minimize any barriers to participation. If you have questions, please email foundation@downtownfresno.org
We hope...
- Academy sessions will introduce participants to leaders, business owners, stakeholders, and organizations located in Downtown Fresno.
- Participants will tour Downtown Fresno cultural and historical sites, neighborhoods and districts.
- Participants will examine and identify:
- Strategies for revitalization
- Improvements in infrastructure and housing projects.
- Movements in arts and culture
- Organizing principles and storytelling practices to advocate for Downtown.
- Participants will explore the history of Downtown Fresno.
- Participants will define and examine land use and zoning policies that impact current Downtown Fresno and surrounding historically disadvantaged areas.
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!
Employer Support
The Downtown Academy is a great professional development opportunity. The kind of learning and networking that happens allows employees to better understand the landscape of leadership for Downtown Fresno. Send this letter to your employer if you need support of your time off during the overnight trip.
This letter also includes an ask for your employer to sponsor your spot in the academy! Feel free to download as needed. If your employer has any questions, they can email Elliott at elliott@downtownfresno.org.