The Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity Program 2026 is a free, part-time, and fully virtual training opportunity designed to help U.S.-based public interest organizations strengthen their policy and advocacy impact.
This program is ideal for nonprofits, direct service providers, and academic or research centers seeking to develop effective advocacy strategies, influence policy, and expand their organizational capacity in the policy space.
Participants will gain practical tools to:
- Educate and persuade stakeholders on policy issues
- Build partnerships that drive social change
- Secure resources (including staffing) to support advocacy work
- Strategically integrate policy advocacy into their organization
Program Structure
The course runs over 5 days and combines expert-led sessions with practical assignments. Participants are expected to actively engage and complete coursework, including a final assignment.
- Format: Virtual
- Duration: 5 days (May 11–15, 2026)
- Daily Sessions: 2 hours (9–11 AM PT / 12–2 PM ET)
- Cost: Free
Participants will also receive:
- Cohort-based learning and peer collaboration
- Feedback from program staff
- Potential individualized feedback on final assignments (free or small fee depending on cohort size)
Program Timeline
- Application Opens: February 26, 2026
- Final Application Deadline: April 13, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)
- Notification of Acceptance: By April 20, 2026
- Program Dates: May 11–15, 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Work with a U.S.-based public interest organization (e.g., nonprofit, university center, direct service provider)
- Have limited experience in policy and advocacy work
- Be interested in building or strengthening an advocacy arm within their organization
- Be at least 21 years old
- Live in or be legally able to work in the United States
- Commit to attending all 5 virtual sessions
Priority will be given to:
- Registered nonprofit organizations
- Organizations new to policy and advocacy work
May also be considered (space permitting):
- Public benefit corporations
- Labor unions
Who Should Not Apply
- Organizations that already have full-time policy or advocacy staff
- Individuals not currently affiliated with an organization
- Previous participants of the December 2025 cohort
What You’ll Learn
This program introduces a practical framework for advocacy, helping participants:
- Understand how policy change works
- Build advocacy strategies with limited resources
- Expand organizational capacity for policy engagement
- Transition from direct service to policy impact
How to Apply
Interested applicants should carefully review eligibility requirements and program expectations before submitting their application. Early applications are encouraged for faster review.
The Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity Program 2026 is a valuable opportunity for emerging advocacy leaders to gain the skills, strategy, and confidence needed to influence policy and create lasting social impact—without financial barriers.
If your organization is ready to take the next step into policy and advocacy work, this program provides the foundation to make that transition successfully.
