Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity is a part-time, free, and virtual program designed to support US-based organizations working in the public interest – such as nonprofits, direct services providers, or university and research centers – who want to grow the policy and advocacy capabilities of their organization. Participants will learn how to educate and persuade potential partners on policy issues that impact the communities your organization serves, and how to obtain the resources – including staffing – to support having impact in the policy space. This course will include an overview of how to be strategic in advocating for policy changes at your organization with its current staff; and how to bring on additional staff to work on policy change.
Strong applicants will currently work at a US-based nonprofit that is new to thinking about policy impact and advocacy. This course will introduce less experienced policy advocates to a framework for engaging in advocacy, and develop the skills they need to build a policy-focused arm of their organization. We will prioritize admitting registered nonprofit organizations (or individual programs within larger such organizations). If space allows, we will also consider other public interest organizations such as public benefit corporations and unions.
Outside of program sessions, participants will be expected to complete homework assignments, including a final assignment, in order to successfully complete the course. Staff will provide overall feedback to the cohort. We also hope to be able to provide individualized feedback on final assignments free of charge; however, for larger cohorts we may elect to ask those seeking more individualized feedback on their final assignment to pay a small fee to support the staff time required.
Before applying, please carefully review the details and eligibility below, and review the short course frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
Early Review Deadline: Sunday, April 5 at 11:59pm PT. Apply early for expedited application review.
Final Application Deadline: Monday, April 13 at 11:59pm PT.
Timeline
February 26-April 13: Application window is open.
By April 20: Participants are notified of their acceptance.
May 11-15: Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity runs, with daily sessions from 9-11am PT / 12-2pm ET.
Eligibility
We are looking for representatives of US-based organizations working in the public interest – such as nonprofits, direct services providers, or university and research centers – with limited prior policy experience that show potential to affect policy and social change. This course is for individuals who want to build their organization’s capacity to do policy and advocacy work.
Because this program is for people who want to impact US policymaking, you must either live or be able to work in the United States. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and able to commit to 5 daily 2-hour virtual sessions during the course dates.
Organizations that already have full-time policy or advocacy staff will very likely have too much experience for this course. You must be part of a public interest organization to participate. If you are an individual with nonprofit experience but do not currently work at an organization, we encourage you to keep an eye out for future opportunities. If you participated in the December 2025 Building Advocacy Capacity Course, you are not eligible to apply again.
Where and When
This virtual course is scheduled for May 11-15, 2026.
Participants will attend daily 2-hour sessions from 9-11am PT / 12-2pm ET.
Application Schedule
Admitted applicants will be notified by April 20.
