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
Community Centric
Community Centric Fundraising is a movement originating in deep cultural histories of mutual aid, and adapted to nonprofit work (not only fundraising) in the form of 11 Principles, a content hub and 100+ place-based groups that meet to further these principles in their own work. Michelle Shireen Muri is one of the co-founders of CCF…you can download a laid out version of the 11 Principles below!
Featured Cohorts
iF, a foundation for radical possibility
October 2024 - May 2026 (2 cohorts)
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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.
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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 - Dec 2025 (2 cohorts)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
2023 - 2024
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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
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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 3-12 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 (x2)
Women of Color in Fundraising (WOC) (x2)
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (x2)
White Women in Nonprofits and Philanthropy (x2)
Northwest Health Foundation
Montana Nonprofit Association