Accelerator Program

We partner with progressive organizations and leaders to build power to make lasting change.

NLA runs an in-depth, capacity-building Accelerator program for progressive organizations interested in building 501(c)(4) and multi-entity structures to maximize impact and power. Our programs run one cohort with 6-8 organizations every two years. Each cohort receives coaching, strategic planning, organizational development, financial, and legal compliance assistance from a diverse pool of consultants and mentors—all of whom are experienced in working with multiple legal entities. 

Our Accelerator Provides: 

  • Up to 20 months of partnership tailored to the needs of each organization 

  • An organizational assessment tool designed specifically for hybrid organizations

  • $50,000-$75,000 worth of expertise, resources, and training 

  • Dedicated leadership coach to support and advise the executive director 

  • Access to tools, templates, training, and resources designed specifically for hybrid organizations

  • Co-created capacity-building plan to address key challenges and opportunities

  • Access to a team of vetted, diverse consultants, attorneys, and experts—all experienced in working with hybrid organizations

Learn about our 2020-2021 New American Majority Cohort and 2017-2018 Progressive Infrastructure cohorts here.

Technical Assistance

Need help scaling your work? NLA can help!

Should we set up a 501(c)(4)? Where can I get solid legal advice on a small budget? Can we endorse candidates? How do we track and report political activity? What is the best way to manage finances across multiple organizations? Can my 501(c)(3) rent or buy my 501(c)(4)’s email list? Must I report partisan activity on Twitter? 

NLA and The Capacity Shop work with bold leaders and philanthropic partners to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to answer these questions, and many more.

To date, NLA has provided TA to more than 120+ progressive organizations interested in creating or managing multiple legal entities. Some of the groups we’ve supported include:

We Provide The Following Services: 

  • Technical Assistance & Coaching Packages for Leaders and Organizations: We partner with leaders to create and scale the full range of legal entities they need to build power, maximize impact, and win.  

  • Funder Partnerships To Provide Technical Assistance: We work collaboratively with (c)(3) and (c)(4) funders to design capacity-building programs that meet the unique needs of hybrid organizations.

  • Free Technical Assistance for Emerging Organizations: We provide free, rapid, one-on-one TA support and referrals to vetted experts and consultants in 30-60 minute one-on-one appointments. Sign up for an appointment here.

Empower & Protect State Pilot

State campaign finance, taxation, and employment laws vary from state to state. So do the strategies, tactics, and legal entities best suited to build durable power in each state. 

In 2020, NLA and The Capacity Shop worked to launch pilot projects to provide state-specific solutions, resources, and infrastructure to meet the unique needs of hybrid organizations in three key states: Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

Our Program:

  • Empowered progressive organizations to form the legal entities they need to run bold programs for maximum impact. 

  • Protected leaders from potential attacks and fines by helping them build infrastructure, expertise, and a culture of compliance in an election year.

Some of the organizations we supported include:  

  • Arizona:  Arizona Wins, Instituto, LUCHA, Mi Familia Vota, Case Action Fund, RAZE, Poder  

  • Georgia: Asian American Advocacy Fund, Black Male Voter Project, Represent Georgia

  • Wisconsin:  America Votes Wisconsin, Freedom Action, Law Forward, Race Class Narrative Project (WI), Wisdom Action Fund, Voces de la Frontera Action Fund

TESTIMONIALS

Featured
Asian American Advocacy Fund
Asian American Advocacy Fund

“AAAF took Georgia by storm this year and NLA was there with us every step of the way. Their support helped us set-up our organization for maximum impact. Their team was a valued partner in a tough year. I wish there was more support like this for (c)(4) in our movement. The investment pays off in spades.”

–Aisha Yaqoob Mahmood, Executive Director

Workers Defense Action Fund
Workers Defense Action Fund

“Working with a team that understands the complexity of managing work, money, and staff across multiple organizations was a blessing. This work requires specialized know how. NLA was a valued thought-partner that connected us with resources and consultants who really understood our needs and challenges.”

–Emily Timm, Co-Executive Director

Black Women Wellness Action Project
Black Women Wellness Action Project

“NLA was instrumental in helping our organization grow and strengthen our new (c)(4) during this historic year. The support they provided this year will continue to benefit us long into the future as we advance reproductive justice.”

–Nourbese Flint, Executive Director

LUCHA
LUCHA

“I feel so grateful that every time we had a question we knew we could turn to NLA’s team. Building power means navigating complex legal and reporting requirements, and NLA has been there for us at every turn.”

–Chris Gilfillan, Development Director

COLOR Action Fund
COLOR Action Fund

“NLA’s coaching, consultants, and expertise have been essential to our ability to scale and build our organization. Their two-year program provides exactly the kind of in-depth support we need to take our (c)(4) work to the next level.”
–Dusti Gurule, Executive Director

SISTER DISTRICT
SISTER DISTRICT

“New Left Accelerator has connected us to resources and talent that are bringing us to the next level. The support has been invaluable.”

–Rita Bosworth, Founder & Executive Director

RoadMap Consulting
RoadMap Consulting

“NLA and RoadMap have focused on bringing voices that have been marginalized in the working class into the center––and ensuring that they have the partnerships, resources, and legal entities they need to build power. This is the behind the scenes work that’s needed to build a powerful progressive movement.”

–Nijmie Dzurinko, Strategic Communications Consultant, Co-leader, New American Majority Cohort

The Movement Cooperative
The Movement Cooperative

“NLA has been there all along. They fill a glaring hole in support for new founders and are a go-to resource for organizations like ours that need to scale quickly. And their approach is grounded in values of equity and inclusion, which is invaluable.”

–Josh Nussbaum, Founder & CEO

RAGTAG
RAGTAG

“The resources and consulting that New Left Accelerator provides make it possible for mission-driven startups like ours to really hit the ground running.”

–Brady Kriss, Founder & Executive Director

WALL-OF-US
WALL-OF-US

“NLA is an Angel of the progressive movement. They play behind the scenes to help the rest of us not only thrive, but shine.”

–Amelia Miazad, Co-Founder, Wall-of-Us

Lawyers for Good Government
Lawyers for Good Government

“NLA’s commitment to supporting new leaders in the progressive space is unrivaled. The resources and connections they provide have been critical to our growth as an organization.”

–Traci Feit Love, Founder, President & Executive Director

VOTE.ORG
VOTE.ORG

“NLA helped us define our needs and find the right experts and attorneys to meet them. Having a trusted adviser that vets, selects, and recommends top-notch people is a valuable service to organizations like ours. I wish NLA had existed as a resource when I started Vote.org”

–Debra Cleaver, Founder & CEO

“We are not usually able to talk about all the work we do in one place. The real value was creating space to think about all our work and what we need to execute it. It sounds simple but it's completely different than how support usually comes in.”

“We are not usually able to talk about all the work we do in one place. The real value was creating space to think about all our work and what we need to execute it. It sounds simple but it's completely different than how support usually comes in.”

—Anonymous Leader, AZ 501(c)(4)

“The NLA people reduced my anxiety level greatly. They listened to our concerns, then just helped us to solve problems in a very matter-of-fact way. Instead of panicking about all the things we might not know, we were able to put more energy into t

“The NLA people reduced my anxiety level greatly. They listened to our concerns, then just helped us to solve problems in a very matter-of-fact way. Instead of panicking about all the things we might not know, we were able to put more energy into the work itself—which went very well!”

—David Liners, State Coordinator, WISDOM (WI)

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