2026 evolve Senior Peer Cohort

SoCal Grantmakers (SCG) is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2026 Senior Peer Cohort leadership development program. This dynamic peer-learning experience brings together a select group of senior-level foundation staff from SCG's member organizations to explore leadership, organizational dynamics, collaborative philanthropic impact, and both professional and personal development. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions, reflective learning, and practical tools to enhance their management and leadership effectiveness.

Please submit your completed application below before Friday, May 15th, 2026. You will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, May 29th, 2026.

Application Criteria & Commitments

Applicant's must be a current SCG, NCG, or Catalyst member organization.
This form is an application and applicants will be notified of their acceptance by no later than Friday, May 29th, 2026
Cohort participants cannot be the President, CEO, Executive Director, or hold an equivalent position in their organization.
Applicant's supervisor's must give full support for participating in this program.
If selected, participants commit to attending ALL eight sessions (4 In-person + 4 virtual). In-person sessions are scheduled as follows, and subsequent dates for virtual sessions will be determined collectively by the cohort and the facilitator:

Session 1 (In-person) - Wednesday, June 17th
Session 3 (In-person) - Wednesday, July 29th
Session 5 (In-person) - Wednesday, September 9th
Session 7 (In-person) - Wednesday, October 21st

To honor the program's peer-learning environment, participants will keep their camera on for all virtual sessions.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Title

Organization

Experience

Number of Years with your current organization.

Number of years in philanthropy. Only include time spent with grantmaking/corporate giving organizations.

Number of years in the nonprofit sector, other than philanthropy, if any.

Short-Answer Questions (Please not the 300 word count limits)

Why do you want to participate in the Senior Peer Cohort leadership program, and what do you want to get out of the program? (Limit: 300 words)

Given your experience, talents, and interpersonal skills, what unique assets would you bring as a contributing member to the program? (Limit: 300 words)

What are you most passionate about in life and work? (Limit: 300 words)

What is the one thing that drives you professionally and personally, while maintaining balance in your life? (Limit: 300 words)

Describe your current leadership role within your organization and within philanthropy, plus what is your future desired leadership role in both. (Limit: 300 words)

How would your best friend—or another trusted individual—describe you? (Limit: 300 words)

Commitments

I understand that eligibility to participate in this cohort is limited to individuals from a current SCG member organization and if selected I will be invoiced for the full amount upon acceptance into the program. *

I understand that this form is an application and that I will be notified of my acceptance by no later than Friday, May 29, 2026. *

I am not the President, CEO, Executive Director, or hold an equivalent position in my organization. *

I confirm that I have my supervisor's full support for my participation in this program. *

If selected, I commit to attending ALL eight sessions (4 In-person + 4 virtual). I understand that the in-person sessions are scheduled as follows from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm, and that subsequent dates for virtual sessions (scheduled for three hours) will be determined collectively by the cohort and the facilitator:

Session 1 (In-person) - Wednesday, June 17th

Session 3 (In-person) - Wednesday, July 29th

Session 5 (In-person) - Wednesday, September 9th

Session 7 (In-person) - Wednesday, October 21st

To honor the program's peer-learning environment, I will keep my camera on for all virtual sessions. *