Apply now to the
2026 Oregon Academy!
We are now accepting applications for the Oregon Academy, a six-month training program for early-career nonprofit communications professionals.
Applications due: February 20, 2026
The Oregon Communications Fundamentals Academy
This cohort is designed to develop the skills of early-career communications professionals to prepare them for leadership roles. This 14-course curriculum focuses on building foundational communications skills in strategy, messaging, planning, digital, media relations, and policy communications.
In each class, Academy participants will have the opportunity to learn collectively by engaging, investigating and putting group learnings into action. With each class, participants will receive templates that can be easily adapted for their own work. Participants will also have access to weekly office hours, where they can receive 1:1 technical assistance, coaching, and consulting support on their specific projects.
The Academy also seeks to build participants’ professional networks by connecting them with peers, guest trainers, and other communications professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Who’s eligible?
Oregon nonprofit communicators who can commit to participating in 14 classes between March and October 2026. We will prioritize communicators who:
Work for organizations that center racial, gender and/or economic justice.
Demonstrate their commitment to the effective implementation of communications programs.
Will contribute to peer learning.
Have strong organizational support, readiness and capacity to participate in 14 Academy sessions.
How many communicators are accepted in the cohort?
Twenty organizations will be admitted to the Oregon Communications Fundamentals Academy. Multiple staff members from each organization can attend.
What topics are covered in the training cohort program?
The Academy will include four tracks and 14 courses in strategy, messaging, planning, digital, media relations, and policy communications. We focus on the fundamental classes needed to implement a comprehensive communications program for nonprofits doing advocacy and policy work.
How much does the Academy cost?
Organizations are asked to contribute between $250 and $1,000, depending on their ability to pay. Fees will be waived upon request. The Fundamentals training program is valued at $7,500 per organization.
When and where does the Academy meet?
The cohort will launch with an all-day session in Portland on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Academy will provide travel stipends for students who require overnight stays. The remaining classes will be held twice a month during morning sessions through October. To help remove barriers to participation, training will be hybrid (in-person and virtual). Portland-area foundations and organizations host in-person classes.
What if I cannot attend every training?
We encourage participants to attend as many classes as possible. We do not offer make-up sessions; however, we will provide templates, tools, and slide decks to all participants at the end of each class. Students can also request 1:1 coaching sessions during our weekly office hours.
What kind of 1-on-1 coaching is included in the Academy?
After each session, Academy trainers will have time to provide 1-on-1 or small-group support to participants.
Interested in applying for the Oregon Communications Fundamentals Academy?
Apply here by February 20, 2026. Applicants will be notified in the week of February 23, 2026.
“Thank you for creating the space for our cohort to learn together and from each other. I've already been implementing so many things that I've learned from the past seven months in my work and I've also been able to pass on the info to help my team at Rogue Climate, which is so awesome.”
Masayo Simon, Rogue Climate
Senior Communicators Table
The Senior Communicators Table is ongoing.
The Academy will offer a senior communicators cohort to create space for staff with organizational and positional power to strengthen collaboration with their peers. This cohort will be designed to meet senior-level communicator’s desire for peer support, tailored training sessions, coaching, and relationship building through facilitated conversations and training sessions.
The senior cohort will start with a needs assessment to identify areas for training, strategy, and collaboration to build power together.
The Senior Academy will meet once a month with hybrid options (in-person and virtual). Throughout the coursework, Academy participants will receive templates that can be easily adapted. Students will also have access to weekly office hours, where they can receive 1:1 technical assistance, coaching, and consulting support on their specific projects.
Interested in the Senior Communication Oregon Academy?
“Movement Communications Academy helped me to get close with other communications professionals in the justice space. My favorite part was hearing directly from reporters of color about how I can pitch stories, op-eds, and ideas that advance my organization's mission."
Allison Harris Oregon Just Transition Alliance