2025 Sustainable Development Goals
Community Foundations Cohort Application

A Cohort-Based Program for Staff, Trustees, and Donors


Supported by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Please review this summary of the program and timeline before proceeding to the application. 
About the Program
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global framework adopted by 193 countries in 2015 with a target date of 2030. The SDGs are organized according to 17 overall goals focused on economic, social, and environmental indicators for developing and wealthy countries alike. (See SDG guidebook and toolkit for community foundations here.)
ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities and CFLeads, two cornerstone philanthropy-serving organizations with deep relationships with community foundations, are partnering to show how community foundations can employ the SDGs to advance their existing priorities and increase their overall effectiveness. ABFE will show how to use the SDGs to advance a racial equity agenda using its Responsive Philanthropy in Black Communities framework. And CFLeads will help community foundations apply their Community Leadership framework to operationalize the SDGs. The end result is a comprehensive approach to strengthening grantmaking, fundraising, organizational culture, community engagement, accountability, and impact. The entirely virtual cohort-based format, led by two facilitators (one from ABFE and one from CFLeads), includes small and large group interaction with an emphasis on peer learning. Participants apply program content to their current work and leave with concrete plans for next steps. Each participating organization is typically represented by 1-4 individuals. The same program is offered twice–Spring 2025 and Fall 2025. Participating organizations are encouraged to send individuals to one or both sections.
About ABFE
ABFE is a membership-based philanthropic organization that advocates for responsive and transformative investments in Black communities. Partnering with foundations, nonprofits, and individuals, ABFE provides its members with professional development and technical assistance resources that further the philanthropic sector’s connection and responsiveness to issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Established in 1971 as the Association of Black Foundation Executives, the all-volunteer organization was credited with many of philanthropy’s early gains in diversity. It since has evolved into a fully staffed, influential network. In 2013, the organization shed its descriptor and adopted the simpler ABFE (ab-fee) to better reflect its broadening membership.
About CFLeads
CFLeads is the country’s national network of community foundations committed to community leadership. Through CFLeads, hundreds of community foundations from across the U.S. come together to strengthen their community leadership muscle, share field innovations, and tackle the critical issues of our time. CFLeads envisions a world in which community foundations are vital partners in building communities where all residents are prosperous, healthy and secure.  The staff at CFLeads has deep experience working for, and with, community foundations from across the country.  
Program Readiness Checklist 
  1. My organization is fundamentally committed to racial equity, in addition to equity for other historically marginalized communities. 
  2. Human and financial resources are available to act on our commitment. 
  3. There is Board and Staff Leadership buy-in. 
  4. Specific individuals will be named as program participants. They will be fully present at each session, and agree to share their experience and continue the work begun in the Program within the organization. 
Intended Audience
Small to mid-sized community foundations that have a sincere desire to activate community results through the Sustainable Development Goals framing. These community foundations should serve Black populations – this includes African-Americans, as well as long-standing or newer Black immigrant populations.

The greatest impact for a given institution will result from diverse, cross-functional representation including: support staff, mid-level staff, senior/executive leadership, board members, and donors.

SDG experts and newbies alike are welcome. 
Timeline & Key Dates
Cohorts A & B application released: October 15, 2024

Q&A/info session: October 31, 2024, 1PM ET

Application deadline: November 22, 2024

Participants announced: December 8, 2024

Cohort A sessions: February 12, March 12, April 9, 2025

Cohort A consulting, TA, and coaching: May-July, 2025

Cohort B application released: May 12, 2025

Q&A/info session: June 4, 2025

Cohort B applications due: June 20, 2025

Announcement of Cohort B: July 7, 2025

Cohort B sessions: September 10, October 15, November 12, 2025

Cohort B consulting, TA, and coaching: Dec 2025-Feb 2026

APPLICATION



















Contact Information