Program Officer Peer Learning Cohort
• 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
Program Officer Peer Learning 9-Month Cohort
Hone your knowledge and advance your practice to have the greatest impact possible on the communities and issues you care about.
Decades of CEP research have shown 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 inaugural Program Officer Peer Learning Cohort is designed to help program officers build 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, troubleshoot barriers to implementation, and hone skills tailored to your organizational context.
This cohort will include seven virtual sessions between January and September 2024. Sessions will include interactive presentations on data-backed practices, compelling funder examples, guest speakers, and structured time for discussion, reflection, and peer-to-peer learning. And, to support your ongoing success beyond the 9-month cohort duration, this cohort is designed to enable you to develop a network of deeply connected peers across the field.
Session Dates and Content
This Learning Cohort will run from January to September 2024 and will take place roughly every five weeks, with two breaks. Breaks will allow time for participants to engage in individual reflection, build peer connections, and experiment with implementation.
The utility and success of the learning cohort depends on meaningful participation from each member. So that we can foster a strong group, have fruitful conversations, and best support members in their work, we ask that each participant register with the intention of attending each of the seven planned sessions.
Sessions in Detail
- 12:30-2:00pm Eastern:
Cohort Introductions and Community-Building
• Cohort overview
• Meeting your cohort peers
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern:
Relationships
• What does CEP data tell us about the importance of trust-based relationships?
• Guest speaker on Grantee Perception Report dataset findings on initiation and frequency of interactions and helpful touchpoints
• Small groups: relationships in the context of your organization
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Selection Process – Part 1
• Trust-based principles and equity implications for building a pipeline and constructing a portfolio
• Evaluating grant applications
• Small groups: application processes in the context of your organization
April Spring Break: Individual Reflection and Implementation
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Difficult Conversations
• Respectful approaches to difficult grantee relationship junctures including: proposal declinations, sunsetting long-term relationships, and restrictions on funding size, length, or type.
• Small groups: Role-playing difficult conversations. Clear, transparent communications
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern:
Reporting Process
• Creating a culture/climate of mutual learning and partnership and different models of reporting
• Small groups: Reporting processes in the context of your organization. Role-playing constructive feedback as part of the reporting process.
July Summer Break: Individual Reflection and Implementation
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Strengthening Grantee Organizations
• What does CEP data tell us about the importance of grantmaking characteristics and non-monetary support?
• Small groups: non-monetary supports and multiyear general operating support at your organization
- 3:00-5:00pm Eastern: Capstone
Calendar Quick Look
| Date | Pacific | Mountain | Central | Eastern | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | |||||
| Session 1: Cohort Kickoff | January 25 | 9:30-11am | 10:30am-12pm | 11:30am-1pm | 12:30-2pm |
| Session 2: Relationships | February 29 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 3: Selection Processes 1 | March 28 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 4: Selection Processes 2 | May 16 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 5: Reporting Processes | June 27 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 6: Strengthening Organizations | August 15 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
| Session 7: Capstone | September 19 | 12-2pm | 1-3pm | 2-4pm | 3-5pm |
About CEP’s Learning Institute and Peer Learning Cohorts
CEP’s Learning Institute offers cohorts, workshops, and custom trainings for foundation staff and leaders to support your learning and implementation of data-backed promising practices.
CEP’s Peer Learning Cohorts provide action-oriented opportunities for staff and leaders in philanthropy to build community, learn together, and support each other in setting and pursuing goals of effective philanthropic practices, ultimately strengthening their personal and organizational impact.
To learn more about CEP’s past and current offerings, please visit CEP’s Learning Institute webpage.
Guest Speakers
Elisha Smith Arrillaga
Vice President, Research
The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Austin Long
Senior Director
Assessment and Advisory Services
The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Andrea Keller Helsel
Program Officer, Environment
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Check back for updates
on additional speakers!
Who can sign up?
This program is a peer-based learning cohort for new to early-career program officers at grantmaking organizations. Participants should be highly motivated to learn, participate, and engage with a community of peers. Contact CEP if your role doesn’t match this description but you’d like to be considered.
To maximize impact at your organization, participants are encouraged to join with a colleague. If you’d like to join as a larger group or are interested in custom trainings, please contact CEP.
REGISTRATION
| Early Bird Discount Register by October 16, 2023 | $3,800 |
| Standard Cost | $4,800 |
CEP is offering a $100 per-person discount for those who join with a colleague and those joining from a community foundation. Multiple discounts may be combined. Please contact CEP for discount codes.
Register via Eventbrite
If you would prefer to pay via EFT, check, or grant, please contact CEP.
Alice Mei
Manager, Assessment and Advisory Services
