Backbone Leaders Learning Lab

The Collective Impact Forum, an initiative of FSG and the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, supports community-centered solutions to strengthen collaboration, advance equity, and improve lives. The Forum provides resources, hosts learning events, and offers coaching that can help advance collective impact work. Learn more at collectiveimpactforum.org

Collective Impact Forum

A new learning lab for backbone leaders offering practical tools, peer learning, and coaching to support place-based collaboration.

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***UPDATE - January 30, 2026: Both Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 have hit capacity. Please sign up for the Waitlist for Cohort 1 if interested in being alerted if a spot opens. <h3>Cohort 1 Learning Lab Dates and Times (SOLD OUT; Waitlist Available.)</h3><ul><li>Session 1: February 25, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET</li><li>Session 2: March 11, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET</li><li>Session 3: March 24 or 25, 2026, 1pm - 2:30pm ET (Group Coaching. Attendees opt in to the day that works for them.)</li><li>Session 4: April 8, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET </li></ul><h3>Cohort 2 Learning Lab Dates and Times (SOLD OUT)</h3><ul><li>Session 1: February 27, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET</li><li>Session 2: March 13, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET</li><li>Session 3: March 26 or 27, 2026, 1pm - 2:30pm ET (Group Coaching. Attendees opt in to the day that works for them.)</li><li>Session 4: April 10, 2026, 1pm - 4pm ET</li></ul> ABOUT THE BACKBONE LEADERS LEARNING LABAre you a leader in a place-based collaborative or playing a backbone role? If so, this Learning Lab is for you!Backbone leaders play one of the most critical - and often least understood - roles in collaborative, place-based work. You hold the group’s focus on its north star, nurture trust, keep partners aligned, and help communities make meaningful progress on complex challenges.In today's environment, backbone leaders are navigating a range of challenges – such as an unpredictable political climate, uncertain funding, and the tension between addressing urgent community needs and stewarding long-term strategic work.Yet despite how critical this role is, backbone leaders rarely have access to spaces designed specifically for their unique needs, pressures, and leadership realities.Join the Collective Impact Forum’s Backbone Leaders Learning Lab to meet this need.This program brings together leaders for skill building, coaching, and peer learning. It offers a rare chance to step back, reground in your purpose, and strengthen your practice – while building skills to navigate uncertainty.<h4>Why This Learning Lab and Why Now?</h4>Backbone work is essential, and it is also hard. It is relational, strategic, and requires skillful navigation. And it is often lonely, especially when you are one of the few people in your community holding this role.This Learning Lab exists so you don’t have to make sense of this work alone.Peer spaces designed specifically for backbone leaders are rare, and this program offers what you need to lead, including:<ul><li>Practical tools to advance systems change</li><li>A clearer understanding of the backbone role and how to execute it effectively</li><li>Strategies for navigating uncertainty and community dynamics</li><li>Greater confidence in sustaining long-term collaborative work</li><li>A nationwide peer network of people doing similar work</li><li>A renewed sense of purpose, energy, and grounding</li></ul><h4>Program Structure and Faculty</h4>The Learning Lab combines training, practical tools, peer learning, and coaching.The experience is anchored in four interactive virtual sessions, each including a mix of instruction, reflection, and small-group peer learning.Learning Lab space is intentionally limited to 25 participants per cohort to create an intimate, high-touch learning environment. Cohort 1 will meet on Feb. 25, March 11, and April 8, with coaching on either March 24 or 25. Cohort 2 will meet on Feb. 27, March 13, and April 10, with coaching on either March 26 or 27.Learning Lab Faculty: Jennifer Splansky Juster, Executive Director, Collective Impact Forum; Courtney W. Robertson, Director of Programs and Partnerships, Collective Impact Forum. <h4>Who Should Attend? This program is ideal for:</h4><ul><li>Individuals playing or supporting the backbone role</li><li>Leaders of emerging or established place-based collaborations (e.g., collective impact, multi-sector collaborations, place-based partnerships)</li><li>Practitioners who want to deepen their systems-change practice and connect with peers </li></ul><h2>Program Fee &amp; Benefits</h2>Registration:<ul><li>2025 Early-Bird Rate: $1,800 per participant if you join by December 31, 2025</li><li>Regular Rate: $2,000 per participant (Starting January 1, 2026.)</li></ul>Final Day to Register: February 20, 2026 (Sooner if registration cap is met.)<h4>Additional Program Benefits</h4>In addition to the Learning Lab sessions listed above, enrollment includes free registration to two Collective Impact Forum virtual events (combined valued of nearly $700 per person). These additional opportunities are available to attendees in both cohorts.<ul><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facilitating-collaborative-meetings-registration-1977529106792?aff=oddtdtcreator" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facilitating-collaborative-meetings-registration-1977529106792?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facilitating Collaborative Meetings</a> training March 17 - 18, 2026 ($249 value)</li><li><a href="https://collectiveimpactforum.swoogo.com/ciactionsummit26/" title="https://collectiveimpactforum.swoogo.com/ciactionsummit26/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">2026 Collective Impact Action Summit</a>, April 14 - 16, 2026 ($449 value)</li></ul><h4>Interested in Learning More?</h4><ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/c2B54ouMQYo" title="https://youtu.be/c2B54ouMQYo" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Watch a recording</a> of our info sesson held on January 13 that explored the purpose and structure of the program.</li><li>Reach out with your questions to CI Forum Executive Director Jennifer Juster</li></ul><h4>Frequently Asked Questions</h4>Are these Learning Lab sessions in-person or online? All sessions will be held online using Zoom Meeting.Can my whole team sign-up with one registration? No. Each participant will require their own Learning Lab registration as these will be active sessions where attendees are broken into small groups throughout the session to build relationships and problem solve together.Can different people from my team attend different sessions? No. This experience is designed to build community amongst participants, and participants will invest time in getting to know others in the cohort. Sending a different individual to the sessions doesn’t enable this community building.What currency is this Learning Lab using for registration? The Collective Impact Forum is based in the United States and registration is in U.S. dollars.What time zone are you using for the Learning Lab sessions? The sessions times are listed in Eastern Time (US &amp; Canada.) If joining from another time zone, please note the time difference.What does the Learning Lab include? The Learning Lab includes four virtual sessions for lab participants. Three of these sessions will be a mix of training from the CI Forum team and facilitated peer learning and problem solving; the fourth session will be an “office hours” session for Q&amp;A with the CI Forum team on challenges you face in your work. Learning Lab participants also receive free registration for the March 17-18 <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facilitating-collaborative-meetings-registration-1977529106792?aff=oddtdtcreator" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/facilitating-collaborative-meetings-registration-1977529106792?aff=oddtdtcreator" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facilitating Collaborative Meetings</a> workshop and April 14 – 16 virtual <a href="https://collectiveimpactforum.swoogo.com/ciactionsummit26/" title="https://collectiveimpactforum.swoogo.com/ciactionsummit26/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">2026 Collective Impact Action Summit</a>.Will the sessions be recorded? The presentations and full group discussion will be recorded. Small group time during the sessions will not be recorded. Recordings will be shared within one week of the sessions.What's the difference between Cohort 1 and 2? Due to the overwhelming interest in the Learning Lab, we added a second cohort for another group of 25 attendees. There are no differences in the programs between Cohort 1 and 2. The only difference is that Cohort 1 meets on Feb. 25, March 11, April 8, and either March 24 or 25 for coaching, and Cohort 2 meets on Feb. 27, March 13, April 10, and either March 26 or 27 for coaching.Can I be invoiced for these sessions? Yes, we can invoice you. Invoices must be paid by ACH or check. Credit card orders cannot be processed by invoice. If you wish to pay by credit card, please register via this Eventbrite site. All requests to pay by invoice must be made by February 18, 2026. Please reach out to Tracy Timmons-Gray at tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org if you wish to inquire about paying by invoice.How do I cancel my registration and request a refund? All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Registered participants who decide to cancel their participation will receive a refund of their registration fee minus a 10% fee. The 10% fee covers non-recoupable administrative and staff expenses associated with event preparation. All refund requests should be emailed to Tracy Timmons-Gray at tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org. We are unable to process refunds after the refund deadline of February 18, 2026. <h3>Refund Cancellation Deadline</h3>Refund Deadline: The Learning Lab cancellation deadline is Wednesday, February 18, 2026.Have More Questions?If your question is not addressed in our FAQ, please contact Tracy Timmons-Gray at tracy.timmons-gray@collectiveimpactforum.org

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