Nonprofit Staff Cohort
“The Work Behind The Work”
A 6-session series to build understanding of the systems, decisions, and realities that power nonprofit organizations.
What actually makes a nonprofit run?
For many early-career staff, the daily work is meaningful but not always clear. Tasks get done, but the bigger picture can feel out of reach, including how decisions are made, how funding works, and how everything connects.
The Work Behind the Work is a program designed to change that. This structured, instructor-led training, blends foundational knowledge modules, expert presentations, and practical application exercises.
During the six (6) bi-weekly sessions, participants will gain a practical understanding of how nonprofits operate, including structure, fundraising, budgeting, and strategy. The program also addresses skills that make staff more effective, including communication, prioritization, and navigating workplace dynamics.
Organizations will gain more confident, capable staff who understand how to contribute beyond their immediate role.
Participants will gain:
A clearer understanding of how nonprofits function behind the scenes
Practical tools they can apply immediately in their work
Greater confidence in their role and contributions
A network of peers across organizations
Program Dates
January 14 - March 25, 2027
Cohort Size
10-20 Participants
Commitment
Bi-weekly 90-minute training sessions, plus 1 hour of weekly application work.
This program is designed for:
Early-career nonprofit staff
Individuals new to the nonprofit sector
Staff looking to better understand how their organization operates beyond their day-to-day responsibilities
2027 Program Dates & Topics
Sessions are bi-weekly on Thursdays from January 14 to March 25, 2027.
The program includes an in-person kickoff, 4 virtual sessions, and an in-person closing.
| January 14, 2027 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
In-Person Kickoff (Atlanta, GA) |
How Nonprofits Actually Work This opening session establishes a shared understanding of how nonprofits operate with time intentionally built in for participants to get to know one another and begin forming connections across the cohort. |
| January 28, 2027 1:00PM - 2:30PM |
Virtual Session | Where the Money Comes From and Where It Goes Participants are introduced to the fundamentals of nonprofit finance and fundraising. The goal is to build comfort with financial concepts and provide context for how organizations sustain their work. |
| February 11, 2027 1:00PM - 2:30PM |
In-Person Session (Atlanta, GA) |
Fundraising Is Everyone’s Job The session explores contributions to fundraising, addresses common misconceptions, and provides practical ways staff can support it in their roles. |
| February 25, 2027 1:00PM - 2:30PM |
Virtual Session | From Tasks to Strategy The session introduces basic concepts in program design and impact, and explores how priorities are set and tradeoffs are made. |
| March 11, 2027 1:00PM - 2:30PM |
Virtual Session | How to Work Well in a Nonprofit This session focuses on the day-to-day skills that support effectiveness in nonprofit roles. Participants engage with real scenarios and leave with practical approaches they can apply immediately. |
| March 25, 2027 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
In-Person Final Session (Atlanta, GA) |
Your Career & Your Network The final session focuses on reflection, career development, and relationship building. Participants consider how they want to grow in the sector and what skills or experiences will support that growth. |
I like the way that we are encouraged to co-learn with a partner and introduce ourselves to one other person versus the full room.
I like that the activities and group work is not too much pressure, but challenges our thinking.
—Aubrey Cyphert, Fall 2026 Cohort