Partnering with Intermediaries Cohort
Recent research demonstrates that intermediary funders, such as donor collaboratives or pooled funds, have received increasing support and interest. Intermediaries may have greater proximity to communities, have deep subject matter expertise, and can facilitate and coordinate across funders and grantee partners.
Partnering with Intermediaries Cohort
CEP’s Partnering with Intermediaries Cohort is designed to help you master both the art and science of effective partnership with intermediaries and collaboratives.
In this cohort, you will connect with a group of supportive peers to expand your knowledge about partnering with intermediaries, troubleshoot common challenges that come with matchmaking between funders and intermediaries, and learn about the kind of grantmaking and governance structures that best empower intermediaries. You’ll apply these learnings to your organization’s context and have a chance to learn from skilled practitioners.
The cohort includes six virtual sessions hosted from September through December 2025. Sessions will include interactive presentations on best practices, compelling guest speakers, discussions in large and small groups, reflection, and peer-to-peer learning. The cohort is designed to enable you to strengthen a network of deeply connected peers and practitioners across the field.
In this cohort, you will explore:
- Options to deepen your impact through collaboratives or intermediaries in the context of your work
- What to look for in a potential intermediary organization to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership
- How to communicate with your grantees and your own organization about roles in partnership with an intermediary organization
- Maximizing the power of your funding to support the expertise of intermediary organizations
- Common challenges, such as process snarls and defining impact, and how to overcome them
Who can attend
Eligibility
- This cohort is designed for programmatic staff who are donors or funders partnering with or through intermediaries.
- Program assistants and associates are generally not eligible, as the content is geared towards staff who hold primary relationships with partnering intermediaries.
- This cohort is not designed for staff who work at intermediary funders.
- Please be in touch with any questions.
Proposed Dates
Each of the six virtual sessions will be two hours and will take place from September through December 2025. Sessions will take place between 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET.
| Date | Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 17th, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Introductions and mapping the landscape | Zoom |
| September 26th, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Frameworks for successful partnerships | Zoom |
| October 16th, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Challenges of practice and peer consultancies | Zoom |
| October 29th, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Hearing from practitioners part 1 | Zoom |
| November 12th, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Hearing from practitioners part 2 | Zoom |
| December 3rd, 2025 | 12-2pm PT/1-3pm MT/2-4pm CT/3-5pm ET | Closing and reflections | Zoom |
Pricing
Payment type (invoice/grant) and timing (up-front/installments) are flexible to accommodate your budget calendar.
Frontrunner discount for the first three sign-ups: $2,000
Early Bird: $3,500
Available until July 15, 2025, Early Bird registrants receive $2,300 off the standard price. Inquire today!
Standard: $5,800
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the listed dates don’t work for me?
Let us know! Reach out to us at learning@cep.org and let us know if you have any date conflicts. Dates will be finalized based on participant availability.
Can I pay via grant?
Yes! CEP is a nonprofit and is happy to receive payment in whatever way is easiest for you.
Questions? Connect with us.
Email Kristy Luk, Senior Manager, CEP Learning Institute
