Power
in Partnership
Cohort

Apply to the Cohort
Visit our FAQS to Learn More

A cohort-based workshop series for organizations exploring strategic partnerships.

In collaboration with Bellwether, the Power in Partnership Cohort is designed for organizations considering or beginning to explore long-term partnership as a strategy for sustainability and impact.

Key Information

What Will Be Accomplished

Why This Work Matters

  • Applications open May 14 and close June 12

  • Sign up for a virtual information session on May 21 at 1 PM ET. A recording of this session will be available to members on EdLoC Connect on May 22

  • 4 virtual, two-hour sessions (beginning July 15)

  • Designed for teams of 2–3 leaders from the same organization

  • At least one team member must be an active EdLoC member

  • Team must include at least one senior organizational leader (e.g., CEO, Executive Director, or equivalent)

  • Participants are expected to attend all sessions as a team

  • Sessions include practical tools, templates, and peer learning

This is foundational work to help your team ask the right questions before pursuing a partnership.

Over four virtual 2-hour sessions, your team will clarify your strategic priorities and long-term direction, identify what your organization brings to a potential partnership, explore partnership pathways from early collaboration to more formal structures, and build a foundation in due diligence, decision-making, and stakeholder alignment.

Leaders of color continue to navigate funding instability, shifting political dynamics, and increasing pressure on their work.

In this context, the question is not just how organizations sustain what they have built. It is how they make thoughtful, strategic decisions about what comes next.

EdLoC is committed to creating space for leaders to explore those decisions together, grounded in community, clarity, and collective strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In collaboration with Bellwether, Power in Partnership is designed for organizations considering or beginning to explore long-term partnership as a strategy for sustainability and impact.

    Individuals applying must be a part of a team. At least one member of your team must be an active EdLoC member, and each team must include at least one senior organizational leader (e.g., CEO, Executive Director, or equivalent).

    Non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, school systems, and academic institutions are eligible to apply

  • Organizations must apply as a team of 2–3 leaders. This may include an Executive Director or CEO, senior leadership, and in some cases, a board member. This team-based approach supports alignment and ensures your organization can fully engage in the work.

  • No. This experience is designed for teams. Individuals must apply with colleagues so you can move through the work together and make aligned decisions.

  • No. At least one member of your team must be an active EdLoC member, but additional participants do not need to be members.

  • This is foundational work to help your team explore partnership thoughtfully and determine what makes sense for your organization. Over four 2-hour sessions, you will clarify your priorities, understand your value in partnership, explore potential pathways, and build a foundation for informed decision-making.

  • The cohort includes:

    • 4 virtual, two-hour sessions (beginning July 15)

      • July 15 (make up: July 21)

      • August 12 (make up: August 18)

      • September 9 (make up: September 15)

      • September 30 (make up: October 6)

    • Light preparation between sessions (approximately 2 hours)

    • Optional one-hour office hours for additional support

    Participants are expected to attend all sessions as a team.

  • Participants are expected to attend all sessions as a team. Because the experience is interactive and builds from session to session, live participation is required.

    If someone on your team cannot attend, another team member should plan to participate. Materials will be shared after each session to help teams stay on track.

  • No. Participation in Power in Partnership is not required to apply for the Boulder Fund. Power in Partnership will provide organizations with dedicated space and programming to consider strategic long-term partnerships and to be better positioned to pursue funding opportunities such as the Boulder Fund. 

    This year, the Boulder Fund is evolving to support strategic collaborations among EdLoC member-led organizations that advance their missions. The funds must be distributed to a non-profit organization

  • The cohort will explore a range of long-term partnership pathways, including:

    • Joint projects

    • Shared services

    • Strategic collaborations

    • Mergers or acquisitions

    The focus is on helping your organization determine what aligns with your goals and context.

  • By the end of the cohort, participating teams will:

    • Have greater clarity on whether along-term partnership is the right path forward

    • Understand the key steps and considerations involved

    • Be better prepared to pursue deeper partnership opportunities if aligned

    • Have a shared internal understanding across leadership

  • EdLoC will share learnings and insights from the Power in Partnership Cohort publicly. Anything shared publicly with your name and organization will only be done with your consent.

  • We anticipate engaging approximately 30–50 organizations in this cohort experience.

  • Applications open May 14 and close June 12.

  • You can submit your application here

  • Reach out to Jin-Soo Huh, Senior Director of Partnerships & Innovation, for more information.