Civic Health: Cultivate Capacity
Introducing Cultivate Capacity: Strengthening Electoral Power from the Inside Out
We’re excited to introduce Cultivate Capacity, our Civic Health capacity building program! This program has been shaped by months of testing different offerings, gathering feedback from grantees, and learning alongside experienced trainers and funders across the country.
At its core, Cultivate Capacity helps 501(c)(4) organizations serving Black, Indigenous and communities of color in Oregon and SW Washington strengthen the skills, tools and infrastructure they need to build lasting political power.
We’ve designed Cultivate Capacity around three key focus areas:
Multi-Entity Compliance
Strong compliance systems are essential for organizations working across multiple entities and engaging in electoral work. The legal landscape can be complex. And for many groups that serve BIPOC, navigating compliance often means investing extra time and resources just to ensure they can participate fully and safely in political work without risking their tax status.
We believe that compliance shouldn’t be a barrier to building power. It should be a foundation. With the right support, groups can strengthen their internal systems, reduce risk and gain the confidence to run impactful campaigns.
2026 Multi-Entity Compliance Cohort
The Multi-Entity Compliance Cohort provides practical guidance, tailored support, and peer learning opportunities to help organizations manage risk effectively and gain confidence to safely and boldly engage in movement-building and electoral work.
The cohort will run from January through December 2026.
Through this cohort, participants can:
Strengthen internal systems – Organize financial, operational and governance workflows so running multiple entities feels more manageable and consistent.
Build confidence in compliance decisions – Receive guidance to navigate complex compliance issues with clarity.
Connect with peers and share learning – Exchange ideas and solutions with other staff responsible for compliance, reducing isolation and building a network of values-aligned peers.
Who it’s for: This cohort is open to all Civic Health grantee organizations, including Advance grantees and Shared Infrastructure Cohort organizations.
It’s primarily intended for finance and operations staff, though program staff who help shape or support compliance systems are also welcome and encouraged to participate.
Read the full invitation to join here. Space is limited to Civic Health grantees. Register by Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5pm Pacific Time.
Electoral Justice
Campaign season is a powerful organizing moment, but real power comes from the leadership, relationships and infrastructure we build between elections.
As many movement elders and leaders remind us: mobilizing gets people out, but organizing builds power. That’s why, in partnership with re:power, a national learning home for social justice leaders, we’re creating a space specifically for seasoned campaign and field leaders who serve the BIPOC communities in our region to reflect, sharpen strategy and strengthen the infrastructure behind their electoral work. Whether you’ve led countless canvasses or built out field programs from scratch, this is an opportunity to step back, deepen your approach and analysis, and connect with peers doing the same.
2026 Electoral Justice Leadership Cohort
We’re excited to partner with re:power to launch the 2026 Electoral Justice Leadership Cohort, which will run from February through June 2026.
This cohort is designed to help participants deepen the skills and strategies they need to lead with impact during the 2026 election season and beyond. Participants will take part in a combination of in-person convenings in Portland, tailored coaching, virtual trainings and peer learning opportunities. The cohort will help leaders:
Deepen political analysis to guide decision-making and infrastructure-building
Refine strategies for aligning electoral work with long-term organizing goals
Strengthen tactical skills like field operations and campaign execution
Strengthen a peer network to support ongoing learning and collaboration
Who it’s for: This cohort is designed for experienced 501(c)(4) practitioners who:
Are based in Oregon or SW Washington and whose work centers BIPOC communities
Serve as field directors, political directors, or campaign managers with 4+ years of electoral organizing experience
Plan to apply cohort learnings directly to electoral campaigns in 2026
Can fully commit to the cohort’s schedule and activities (in-person and virtual)
Read the full invitation to apply here. This is an intimate, highly selective cohort designed for deep engagement and connection. Apply here by Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5pm Pacific Time.
Independent Revenue Generation Cohort
Movements need money and the ability to raise it on their own terms. Too often, 501(c)(4) organizations that serve BIPOC have to rely on short-term, restricted funding that doesn’t match their vision or pace, or lack the flexibility needed to meet the rapidly developing moment.
We’re investing in strategies that help groups bring in revenue that’s flexible, sustainable and aligned with their values. With support from the Progressive Multiplier Fund, groups can build fundraising systems that support year-round organizing, not just the next election.
What’s coming in 2026?
We’re proud to continue our longtime partnership with the Progressive Multiplier Fund. Their Independent Revenue Generation (IRG) Cohort will return with grant funding, personalized training and expert coaching. From refining membership models to building out a self-sustaining revenue line in a new business area, groups will learn how to bring their ideal revenue streams into reality with expert support for experimentation
Participation in the cohort will be by invitation only. Invited organizations will be asked to submit a short application in October 2025. If you’d like to be considered or receive updates, please fill out this interest form.
Who it’s for: This opportunity is primarily for executive directors, development staff and other staff with the power and responsibility to shape their organization’s approach to fundraising and independent revenue generation.
For questions, reach out to Cleo Tung at cleo@northwesthealth.org or 503-220-1925.