Our Cohort Approach

Building Customized Learning Communities

We design each cohort experience specifically for the participants involved, creating spaces where meaningful connection, skill-building, and transformation can happen simultaneously.

Our cohort programs incorporate multiple learning modalities to address the diverse ways adults learn effectively:

  • Live interactive workshops (recorded)

  • Peer accountability groups

  • Open office hours

  • Engaging facilitation

  • Online learning platform

  • Customized curriculum

Research-Based Methodology

After years of facilitating successful cohorts and studying best practices, we've developed a comprehensive report on effective cohort design that guides our work. Our approach is grounded in:

  • Community-centric principles that prioritize equity and justice

  • Adult learning theory that respects participants' experience

  • Peer relationship models that foster authentic connection

  • Accountability frameworks that drive meaningful action

  • Mixed-methodology teaching to engage multiple learning styles

Featured Cohorts

iF, a foundation for radical possibility
October 2024 - April 2025 

  • A six-month cohort focusing on values-based fundraising education around individual donor cultivation to unify their network and strengthen individual giving through skill-building opportunities. The curriculum included Community-Centric Fundraising principles, donor stewardship, relationship building cycles, marketing fundamentals and campaign planning. The curriculum included one in-person “development day” covering deeper dives into emotional narratives around money and asking as well as workshopping stages of the relationship building cycle.

  • A seven-month cohort focusing base-building, values-based (CCF) fundraising fundamentals as applied to individual giving, and a focus on strengthening the DC / Maryland / Virginia (DMV)  networks. The curriculum included development planning, donor stewardship and relationship building cycles, Community-Centric Fundraising principles along with two in-person sessions focused on emotional narratives around money and asking, and resource mapping and sharing.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
September 2024 - March 2025

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
2023 - 2024

  • A year-long cohort working with four ACLU affiliates and their national team around community-centered fundraising practices. This comprehensive program helped teams align their fundraising approaches with their justice values  in deep intranetwork collaboration, while building sustainable revenue strategies.

Montana Nonprofit Association
2023

  • A six-month cohort for small nonprofits focused on implementing community-centered fundraising practices. Participants enhanced practical fundraising skills while learning the implementation of equity and community values in their approaches.

Ready to explore how a cohort is transform, your organization’s approach?

Let's discuss how we can design a customized learning experience for your team or network. Our cohorts typically run between 4-12 months with bi-monthly 90-minute sessions and can include additional coaching and support options.

  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

  • iF, a foundation for radical possibility

  • Women of Color in Fundraising (WOC)

  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

  • White Women in Nonprofits and Philanthropy

  • Northwest Health Foundation

  • Montana Nonprofit Association

Complete Cohort History