2. Program Overview
Program Mission
DifferenceCorps is designed to harness the skills, experience, and passion of talented professionals ready to build practical solutions to inequality. As a Corps member, you'll work with our Difference Engineers and relevant communities to design, develop, and implement innovative projects that address systemic challenges while building valuable skills and connections.
Who Should Apply
DifferenceCorps is for self-starters who want to create change without endless bureaucracy. You bring the skills and commitment, we provide just enough structure to help you succeed.
Recently displaced government workers, nonprofit professionals, mid-career changers, or community leaders. The common thread: you're motivated to build practical solutions with minimal hand-holding.
Our user journeys can give you an example of some sample DC members:
8. User Journeys - ❗️Community Pathways
Recently displaced government workers, nonprofit professionals, mid-career changers, or community leaders. The common thread: you're motivated to build practical solutions with minimal hand-holding.
Our user journeys can give you an example of some sample DC members:
8. User Journeys - ❗️Community Pathways
Program Benefits
What you'll get
Project development guidance, access to select ASU resources, connections to our partner network, modest project funding, and recognition as part of our community.
Project development guidance, access to select ASU resources, connections to our partner network, modest project funding, and recognition as part of our community.
Time commitment
5-10 hours monthly for 9 months, aligned with our 6-week work cycles.
5-10 hours monthly for 9 months, aligned with our 6-week work cycles.
Projects We Don't Accept
DifferenceCorps exists to build practical solutions to inequality, not to amplify harm. We will not select projects that:
- Promote discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other protected characteristics
- Involve harassment or disparagement of any individuals or groups
- Advocate for violence or illegal activities
- Spread misinformation or unverified claims
- Primarily serve political campaign purposes rather than community needs
- Exclusively benefit ideological organizations without serving a broader community
We believe in allowing communities to define their own needs and solutions. You don't have to have a project that works directly with communities, but if you do, those projects that treat communities as test subjects rather than partners may not be selected.
If you're unsure whether your project aligns with these principles, we encourage you to discuss your concept with us before submitting a formal application. Our goal isn't to censor ideas but to ensure all Corps projects contribute to greater equality and dignity.
How to join
- Understand our approach by reviewing our website and this handbook
- Develop a basic project idea that matches your skills with community needs
- Submit your application when the quarterly window opens; you can complete this form to be notified when applications formally open.
- If selected, you'll begin at the start of our next 6-week cycle
Right to Reevaluate or Withdraw Support
DifferenceCorps reserves the right to decline, pause, or withdraw support from any project at any stage if it is determined—at our sole discretion—that the project's activities, outcomes, or affiliations violate the principles outlined above. This includes, but is not limited to, actions that promote harm, discrimination, misinformation, or otherwise conflict with our mission to advance equity and dignity.
Should concerns arise, we may initiate a review process and provide an opportunity for clarification. However, DifferenceCorps is not obligated to continue support if a project undermines the integrity or goals of the program.
By enrolling in the program, applicants and participants acknowledge that continued participation is contingent on compliance with these guidelines.