2026 Capacity-building Initiative
Protecting organizational stability, leadership, and long-term impact
As we begin 2026, the Powell Foundation is reaffirming its commitment to long-term partnership and to the organizational stability that makes thriving communities possible. In a time marked by funding volatility, policy shifts, and increasing operational pressures, we have launched a capacity-building initiative that offers a coordinated suite of support, reflecting our responsibility to steward not only programs, but the long-term health and resilience of the organizations carrying critical community work forward.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 we conducted a virtual info session about this program
About the Initiative
The 2026 Powell Foundation Capacity-building initiative brings together three complementary offerings designed to support organizational stability, proactive planning, and long-term resilience. Each program addresses a different dimension of organizational capacity, and grantees may choose to engage with one or more supports based on their needs, context, and readiness.
Not every offering will be the right fit for every organization, and that is intentional. These supports are designed to respect grantee leadership, autonomy, and the diverse realities across our partner organizations. Participation is optional and not tied to funding decisions, and while consultants may share trends or the type of support they provided to a grantee, discussions between you and the consultants are confidential.
“In moments of uncertainty, stewardship means standing alongside organizations, investing in their stability, and helping ensure they have what they need to sustain their work over time.”
Eleisha Nelson-Reed, Executive Director, Powell Foundation
Resilience Hub with Catalyst Exchange
Rapid-Response Expert Support Hours
The Resilience Hub provides rapid, flexible access to expert support for Powell grantees navigating urgent, mid-crisis, or everyday operational challenges. Through on-demand office hours and short-term project-based support, organizations can receive timely guidance without a lengthy application process or cohort commitment.
Resilience Hub Info Session: Presentation Slides
- Any Powell Foundation grantee
- Organizations navigating time-sensitive needs (e.g., compliance, finance, fundraising, communications, leadership transitions)
- Leaders seeking trusted, flexible, on-demand expertise during uncertainty or transition
- Finance and financial modeling
- Fundraising and earned revenue
- Risk and scenario planning
- Policy analysis and compliance
- Strategic communications
- Leadership and talent management
- Expert Office Hours will be available for immediate questions and guidance (Tier 1)
- Short-Term Projects (2–4 weeks) will be available for deeper, targeted support (Tier 2)
- Support may be scheduled directly by the grantee
- Flexible, as-needed
- Save the Date – Resilience Hub Info session: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 12:00pm CT.
- Resilience Hub access opens: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Register Here
Jumpstart Cohort With Bonterra
Focused Fundraising Capacity Building
Jumpstart is a 12-month, cohort-based fundraising capacity-building program focused on strengthening individual giving and long-term financial resilience. The program combines expert coaching with optional fundraising tools to support organizations in deepening donor relationships, diversifying revenue, and building sustainable fundraising systems.
Office hour on Tuesdays (9am CST) – Click here to Register
Office hour on Thursdays (12pm CST) – Click here to Register
Jumpstart Cohort Info Session: Presentation Slides
- Small- and mid-sized budget (less than $10M) Powell grantees
- Organizations ready to dedicate new focus on donor engagement and/or fundraising systems
- Teams ready to invest in donor relationships and revenue diversification
- 15 hours of 1:1 coaching over 12 months
- Monthly coaching meetings
- Workshops, templates, and resource library
- Optional fundraising tools (depending on track)
- Up to 20 grantees total (two cohorts)
Accelerate Track
- Coaching plus a full donor management and fundraising technology suite
- Guided implementation and data migration support
- Ideal for organizations ready to adopt or fully leverage fundraising technology
Activate Track
- Coaching-focused model without new core technology requirements
- Ideal for organizations wanting to build skills and strategy without adding systems
- Yearlong engagement
- Monthly coaching sessions
- Ongoing fundraising support activities
- Save the Date – Jumpstart Cohort Info Session:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM CT - Jumpstart Cohort MOU available for completion:
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - Jumpstart Cohort MOU deadline:
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - Jumpstart Cohort Participants notified:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - Jumpstart Cohort Launches:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 or April 16, 2026
Peer Learning Collective with Education First
Scenario Planning & Peer Learning
The Peer Learning Collective is a six-month cohort experience supporting senior leaders in navigating policy uncertainty through scenario planning, financial forecasting, and facilitated peer learning. Participants engage in structured planning and coaching alongside peers facing similar challenges, with space to reflect, learn, and adapt together.
- Education-focused Powell grantees
- Organizations with senior leadership able to commit to monthly sessions
- Teams seeking structured scenario planning and peer connection
- Monthly virtual cohort sessions (2 hours each)
- Up to 6 hours of individualized coaching
- Scenario planning and financial modeling tools
- Peer learning and facilitated discussion
- Up to 10 education grantees
- Six monthly cohort sessions
- Coaching between sessions
- Related pre-work and follow-up activities
Download the Peer Learning Collective FAQ
Key Dates
- Peer Learning Collective Info session (two options for your convenience):
- Thursday, February 19 from 1:00-2:00pm CT. View Recording Here (Passcode: s815jH^c)
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 3:00-4:00pm CT. View Recording Here (Passcode:
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- Peer Learning Collective Application opens:
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Peer Learning Collective Application due:
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026
- Peer Learning Collective participants admitted:
- Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- Peer Learning Collective first session:
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Flexible Choices
Not every offering is intended for every organization. The initiative is designed to offer choice, fit, and flexibility, recognizing that grantees are navigating different realities and constraints. Participation is optional and not tied to funding decisions.
| Resilience Hub with Catalyst Exchange | Jumpstart Program with Bonterra | Peer Learning Collective with Education First | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Rapid-response, on-demand access to vetted experts for time-sensitive organizational needs. Flexible support model designed to meet organizations where they are in moments of uncertainty. | Cohort-based fundraising capacity-building program combining expert coaching with integrated technology tools to strengthen individual giving and revenue diversification. | Six-month peer learning cohort focused on scenario planning, financial modeling, and strategic adaptation in response to policy and funding volatility. |
| Ideal fit | Any Powell grantee needing immediate or short-term guidance (legal, financial, compliance, communications, planning) without a long onboarding process. | Small to mid-sized budget (less than $10M) Powell grantee organizations ready to strengthen fundraising systems and implement individual giving strategies. | Education-focused Powell grantees with senior leadership seeking structured time for scenario planning, peer learning, and adaptive decision-making. |
| Time commitment / cadence | Flexible, as-needed engagement. Tier 1 office hours or short-term project support scheduled by the grantee. | Cohort-based over several months; includes workshops, 15 hours of coaching, and ongoing tool implementation support. | Monthly virtual cohort sessions over six months, plus up to six hours of individualized coaching. |
| Spots available | Open to all Powell Foundation grantees; usage-based participation. | Up to 20 Powell Foundation grantees total (two cohorts). | Up to 10 Powell Foundation education grantees. |
| Key dates | Launch: February 2026 Rolling access through 2027 | Recruitment: Feb 2026 Cohorts begin: March/April 2026 | Recruitment: Feb 2026 Cohort begins: March/April 2026 |
FAQs
If you still have questions, you may contact your program officer, or Kate Shannon, Director, Learning and Insights, at kshannon@powellfoundation.org.
In some cases, yes, depending on fit, timing, and capacity. Our goal is for partners to engage with the support that best meets their needs.
No. Participation is completely optional. This initiative reflects Powell’s belief in meeting organizations where they are and respecting organizational context. Powell recognizes that organizations are navigating different realities, capacities, and moments. Choosing not to participate simply means this support isn’t the right fit right now and that’s fully respected.
No. This is an extension of Powell’s existing commitment to long-term impact. Strong programs depend on strong organizations. Supporting capacity, planning, and leadership helps ensure the work Powell funds can continue and adapt in a changing environment.
No. Participation is not evaluative and is not tied to grant renewals or future funding. This work is about stewardship and support, not assessment. Our primary goal is to strengthen the conditions for your work. While Powell Foundation may receive high-level, aggregate information from consultants about general trends or the types of support provided, conversations between grantees and consultants remain confidential and are not shared with Powell Foundation.
For questions related to your eligibility:
- For general eligibility inquires, contact Kate Shannon at kshannon@powellfoundation.org.
- For the Jumpstart Cohort, contact kevin.heffelfinger@bonterratech.com.
- For the Peer Learning Collective, contact kjames@education-first.com.
- All grantee partners are eligible to access the Resilience Hub. If you have additional program-specific questions, you may contact matthew.lynch@catalyst-exchange.org.
