Cohorts

One of the most critical connections nonprofit professionals can make is with each other. Spur Local, formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy, runs role-based Executive Director, development staff, and board member cohorts, available exclusively to nonprofit partners in our network.

We also currently run three cohorts available for those outside of our network that create space for leaders of color at small nonprofits to cultivate strong relationships with each other, build their skills together, and share their resources, experiences, and ideas.

The BIPOC Executive Director Cohort convenes Executive Directors leading small nonprofits in the Greater Washington region who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Over several virtual sessions and in-person activities, cohort members participate in peer-to-peer conversations facilitated by the Spur Local team about the topics they are interested in most.

The BIPOC Emerging Leaders Cohort convenes Executive Directors with less than three years of experience and nonprofit staff who are moving into, or plan to apply for, Executive Director roles within the next 2-3 years. These emerging leaders at small nonprofits who identify as BIPOC meet virtually and in-person over sessions that include facilitated skill-building presentations by Spur Local team members, networking, and peer-driven conversations about the challenges and realities of being a leader of color in the nonprofit sector.

Grassroots Accelerator Program

Spur Local’s Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP) is an intensive, cohort-based program designed to empower the leaders of local nonprofits that operate on budgets below $250,000. We know that sustainable and values-driven growth takes time, particular skills, and community support. Through GAP, these leaders will develop their understanding of fundraising, finances, storytelling, management, organizational structure and more. This actionable and tangible learning happens alongside a network of likeminded peers, providing a support system when leaders advance their critical work in the community.

GAP is a six-month program where leaders meet twice a month for two hours on average. Upon completion of the program, participants will leave with fundraising and program plans for their organizations, specific goals for the next 6-12 months, as well as two quarterly conference call check-ins with the Spur Local team.

Interested in being notified when our next round of cohorts is accepting participants? Please reach out to Katie Dean, our Nonprofit Programs Coordinator.

Interested in Sponsoring a Cohort?

Let us know! The Spur Local team is always excited to partner with other organizations and expand our programming across different regions. Contact Chiara Frechette, our Director of Nonprofit Programs. While these targeted cohort programs are currently available exclusively in the DC-area, our team is happy to discuss with institutional partners about bringing these cohort models to your network of nonprofit organizations.