Program Officer Peer Learning 7-Month Cohort
Hone your knowledge and advance your practice to have the greatest impact possible on the communities and issues you care about.
Program Officer Peer Learning Cohort
Decades of CEP research shows that program officers play a crucial role in a funder’s ability to positively impact communities, issues, and fields. To be an outstandingly effective program officer requires a unique skillset and deep knowledge of an array of approaches. CEP’s Program Officer Peer Learning Cohort is designed to help you hone that knowledge and skillset.
In this cohort, you will connect with a supportive group of peers while you grow your knowledge of data-backed practices for effective philanthropy and hone skills tailored to your organizational context.
The cohort includes seven virtual sessions hosted January – July 2025. Each includes interactive presentations on data-backed practices, compelling guest speakers, discussion in whole group and small group formats, reflection, and peer-to-peer learning. This cohort is designed to enable you to develop a network of deeply connected peers across the field.
In this cohort, you will:
- Deepen your knowledge of effective grantmaking practices
- Hone skills for your unique context
- Learn from guest speakers + funder examples
- Build a deep network + leverage peer support
Learn about:
- Building trust-based relationships across diverse populations
- Navigating power dynamics in due diligence and difficult conversations
- Advancing equity in the context of your selection processes
- Partnering with grantees for mutual learning in reporting
- Supporting and strengthening grantee organizations using tailored grant types and non-monetary assistance
Cohort Welcome
January 23, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- Cohort overview
- Community-building: Get to know your cohort peers
Strong Grantee Relationships
January 30, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- What does CEP data tell us about the importance of strong funder-grantee relationships and how to build and maintain them?
- Discussion: Reflecting on relationships in the context of your organization
Selection Processes
February 27, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- Due diligence and identifying your organization’s non-negotiables
- Streamlining processes to limit the burden on grantees
- Equity implications for constructing a portfolio, including accessing and building a pipeline
Difficult Conversations
March 20, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- Respectful approaches to difficult grantee relationship junctures including: proposal declinations, sunsetting long-term relationships, and restrictions on funding size, length, or type.
- Discussion: Role-playing difficult conversations
April Break
Reporting Processes
May 22, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- Creating a culture/climate of mutual learning and partnership
- Different models of reporting processes
- Discussion: Reporting processes in the context of your organization. Role-playing constructive feedback as part of the reporting process.
Strengthening Grantee Organizations
June 26, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- What does CEP data tell us about the importance of grantmaking characteristics and non-monetary support?
- Discussion: non-monetary supports and multiyear general operating grants at your organization
Capstone
July 24, 2025 (3-5pm EST):
- Tying it all together with pro-tips and career advice from seasoned Program Officers
- Celebration!
Session Details
Sessions typically take place monthly, with two sessions in January and a break in April.
Registration is Closed.
Past Guest Speakers
Lynn Alvarez
Former VP Programs and Strategies, ECMC Foundation
Luc Athayde-Rizzaro
Elisha Smith Arrillaga
Vice President, Research, CEP
Amber Bradley
Director, Learning Institute, CEP
Marvin D. Carr
Director – Strategic Initiatives, Corporate Giving, Walmart, Director – Center for Racial Equity, Walmart.org
Mercedes De La Riva
Engagement Lead, Learning Institute, CEP
Thomas Hilbink
Austin Long
Senior Director, Assessment and Advisory Services, CEP
Joseph Lee
Manager, Assessment and Advisory Services, CEP
Anthony Richardson
About the Learning Institute
CEP’s Learning Institute offers cohorts, workshops, and custom trainings for foundation staff and leaders to support your learning and implementation of data-backed practices.