Effective organizing thrives when organizers grow. The Center for Community Leadership strengthens the movement by supporting organizers at every level—helping them sharpen strategies, avoid burnout, and build lasting careers. By investing in their development, we foster stronger campaigns and increase the leadership of marginalized communities in social justice and the community development field.

CCL offers cohort-based programs along with workshops and gatherings for organizers throughout the year.

Introductory Course

• 9-month foundation organizing skills training for new staff organizers
• October – June

Organizing Apprenticeship

• 6-month training and career development program for grassroots leaders new to organizing
• January – June

Advanced Course

• 6-month training and reflection space for experienced organizers
• January – June

Workshops & Gatherings

• Multi-level skills training, peer learning, and movement reflection
• On-going throughout the year

CCL programs are shaped by a guiding framework for community organizing as a power-building practice and strategy that works to win concrete changes in people’s lives and communities.

While our programs vary in length and format, they are grounded in these core elements:

Theory & Practice: While engaging in conceptual learning about the elements of community organizing, participants in CCL programs also practice what they’re learning on the ground and with the communities they’re organizing with. CCL instructors craft learning spaces where organizers can delve into community organizing history, theory, concepts, and key tools and resources to build up, apply, and reflect on their organizing skills.

Cohort-Based Learning: CCL courses bring together cohorts of organizers, providing opportunities for collaborative learning, digging into key questions, reflecting, and sharing about the work of organizing and their development in it. Our courses are spaces where organizers can build and deepen supportive relationships they can lean on in the ongoing movement-building work.

Expertise: CCL instructors are deeply committed to organizing and movement-building, having honed their expertise and craft over years of on-the-ground experience and organizational leadership. Grounded in their in-depth knowledge of organizing and a broader commitment to supporting the learning and development of individual organizers, their organizations, and the communities they work, CCL instructors facilitate a thorough curriculum and offer mentorship, coaching, and feedback to help participants improve their skills and practice.

Organizational Capacity Building: CCL programs are a valuable resource and investment in the onboarding, training, and ongoing development of organizers and organizational leaders, contributing to the overall capacity of ANHD member organizations and other partners and allies.

Networking and Peer Learning Opportunities: CCL courses, workshops, and trainings provide opportunities to gather and connect with a vast network of practitioners and organizations.

Currently Recruiting: Introductory Course
Apply by 9/5

The CCL Introductory Course is a 9-month cohort-based training and support program designed for newer staff organizers seeking to develop foundational principles and skills.

Session topics include:

• Base Building
• Leadership Development
• Work Planning/Time Management
• Meeting Facilitation
• Campaigns Strategy

2025-2026 Tuition

• $2,200 ANHD Members
• $2,700 Non-Member Organizations

Applications

• Applications for the 2024-2025 Intro Course are OPEN:

Apply here

Process

1. Fill out the written application.
2. Selected applicants will be invited to a group interview with the course instructor.
   1. Save the Date: September 22
3. Accepted applicants will be notified in September.
4. Course launches on October 2nd and 3rd with a two-day orientation.

CCL offers organizing trainings and workshops open to the broader ANHD community by CCL instructors and other guest facilitators. Past trainings have included: Building Community Power – Organizing 101; Supervision for Organizers; Making Memorable Meetings.

Check out upcoming trainings from CCL and other ANHD programs, including the Affordable Housing Institute, on our ANHD Training Series page.

All participants in the Organizing Academy courses have free access to all ANHD trainings for the duration of their classes.

Since 2009, over 350 participants have gone through a CCL training program, and over 100 community organizations have been involved in this opportunity.

Examples of campaigns and coalitions participants have worked on include:

• #HomelessCantStayHome
• NYS Rent Law Reform
• Right to Counsel in Housing Court
• Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone Campaign (BASE)
• Policing Reform Campaigns & Ending Solitary Confinement
• Stand For Tenant Safety, Department of Buildings Reform Campaign
• Certificate of No Harassment (CONH)
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Lift the Caps Street Vendor Campaign
• NYC Rent Freeze/Roll Back Campaign
• Predatory Equity Campaigns
• Climate Justice
• NY Healthy Nail Salons Coalition
• Bronx Wide Coalition
• Housing Justice for All

And so much more! Click here for the full list of community organizations we have worked with through CCL.

If you’d like to get updates about CCL, including when program applications open, registration for upcoming workshops and trainings, fill out this form to let us know.

If you have questions about the Center for Community Leadership or its programs, please contact our Capacity Building team at capacitybuilding@anhd.org.