Financial Leadership Cohorts

Why participate in the Financial Leadership Cohort?

Through cohort sessions, you will become more knowledgeable, confident, and savvy about nonprofit finance. We’ll target results for your organization’s needs and help develop a culture of financial understanding at your nonprofit – and within the sector. You’ll gain:

• Confidence in your ability as a financial leader
• Increased knowledge of nonprofit financial management concepts
• Progress on self-identified outcomes
• Improvement in your organization’s financial position

Each cohort is limited to 20 participants.

What you’ll receive:

• 6 monthly three-hour online learning sessions on topics including understanding business models, communicating financial information, and building relationships with staff and board around finance
  • All the sessions will be held virtually
• Support and guidance to develop financial management tools (dashboard report, cash flow, trend analysis)
• A peer network for support and sharing
• One-on-one coaching with Propel Nonprofits’ finance experts

The ideal candidate

• Executive Director or senior staff member in the role of managing your nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization’s finances without a formal finance background
• From a nonprofit organization based in Minnesota (or primarily serving Minnesota communities) with a budget size between $300,000 and $3,000,000
• In a role where you have an opportunity to work with your organization’s board of directors and/or finance committee
• Eager to grow professionally and use new tools to bring a positive change to your nonprofit and the sector

Cohort Options 

Two cohort groups will be selected to begin in March 2026. The cohort groups will be open to Executive Directors and senior staff members of nonprofit organizations both located in and primarily serving communities anywhere in Minnesota.

• Tuesday Cohort Group – Training sessions for this group will be held from 9 am – 12 pm on the following dates (Tuesdays) March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 16th, July 14th, and August 11th
• Wednesday Cohort Group – Training sessions for this group will be held from 9 am – 12 pm on the following dates (Wednesdays) March 11th, April 15th, May 13th, June 17th, July 15th, and August 12th

Cohort selection timeline and process 

Everyone interested in participating in a Financial Leadership Cohort group is required to complete the online application form. Propel staff will review the applications and select cohort participants based on criteria including: 1) alignment of participant goals with training session content, 2) availability attend cohort training sessions, 3) alignment with eligibility guidelines.

• Application period: January 5-February 1, 2026
• Application deadline: February 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• Cohort participants will be notified by February 17, 2026
• Cohort sessions begin March 10, 2026, for the Tuesday group, and March 11, 2026, for the Wednesday group

Cost 

Cohort participants pay a fee of $750. If the fee is a barrier to your participation, Propel can offer partial financial support. Instructions for requesting partial financial support will be sent to all applicants selected for a cohort group. Payment plans are also available.

Contact Teresa Bettmann, Training Manager at [email protected] or 612.249.6690.

Propel’s Financial Leadership Cohorts have supported over 100 nonprofit financial leaders over the past seven years. Here’s what a few of them have to say about their experiences!