Artificial Intelligence Cohorts for Nonprofits, Schools, and Networks
We’re partnering with leaders who are committed to leading through artificial intelligence (AI) change.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how organizations operate, teach, and serve young people and their communities. For education organizations and school leaders, AI brings both promise and complexity: it can streamline operations, expand capacity, and enhance instruction, but it also requires careful planning, risk mitigation, thoughtful change management, and clear guiding principles.
To address this need, Bellwether is excited to launch three parallel AI cohorts in 2026: one for nonprofits, one for charter schools, and one for charter networks.
Bellwether’s AI Implementation Cohorts are designed to help organizations move from exploration to implementation. Across all three cohorts, participants will:
- Build capacity to understand, evaluate, and responsibly use AI tools
- Develop actionable AI Plans that articulate vision, guiding principles, and priorities
- Pilot AI tools and workflows that align to organizational goals
- Learn from peers navigating similar opportunities and challenges
- Access expert guidance on AI strategy, policy, and implementation
By the end of the experience, each organization will have a clear, actionable AI Plan, a tested pilot, and strengthened capacity to lead responsibly through AI-driven change.
The Details
Throughout the yearlong cohorts, Bellwether will serve as a facilitator, advisor, thought partner, resource provider, and connector to experts and peers. Participants will utilize that support to build the AI strategies and solutions best suited to their unique contexts. Cohort content will be relevant across different tools, platforms, and curricular contexts.
Each cohort will share a common foundation of learning, while specific cohort sessions and supports will be tailored to fit the needs of nonprofits, schools, and networks.
The experience will be organized into three interconnected learning strands:
- Plan: Develop an organizational AI Plan that articulates vision, guiding principles, priorities, and a concrete roadmap for implementation.
- Pilot: Design, implement, and learn from at least one small-scale AI use case aligned to organizational goals.
- Build Capacity: Strengthen AI fluency through optional skill labs, demonstrations, and peer learning sessionsÂ
Key components of all cohorts include:
- Ten 90-minute planning and piloting sessions that combine presentation, resource sharing, guided work time, and peer discussion
- Eight 60-minute skill-building sessions for hands-on practice with AI tools including prompting, workflow design, and building simple custom assistants (e.g., GPTs, Gems, or Projects)*
- A robust learning community to share lessons, troubleshoot challenges, and amplify promising practices
- Guest speakers and expert connections, offering insights on strategy, implementation, and policy
- Curated resources and templates including sample AI policies, surveys, strategy frameworks, and prompt examples to support practical adoption
*Note: These skill building sessions will be self-selected and open across all three cohorts, allowing participants to engage based on their comfort level and interests rather than organization type. A brief self-assessment will help participants choose the sessions most relevant to their needs.
For more information, you can also watch the recording of Bellwether’s informational webinar about the nonprofit cohort.
The Cohort Options
Bellwether will offer three parallel cohorts under a shared learning model. Each provides a common foundation of learning while tailoring sessions and supports to meet the needs of different organizational contexts.
| Cohort | Audience | Format & Support | Cost |
| Nonprofits | Nonprofits and intermediaries supporting education and youth development | 10 monthly 90-minute virtual sessions + skillbuilding series | $9,000 per organization |
| Charter Schools | Charter schools or small networks operating 1–5 schools | 10 monthly 90-minute virtual sessions + skillbuilding series | $9,000 per organization |
| Charter Networks | Charter management organizations (CMOs) and networks operating 6+ schools | 10 monthly 90-minute virtual sessions + skillbuilding series + tailored 1:1 advising and implementation support | $20,000 per organization |
In addition to the virtual sessions and capacity building series, the CMO cohort will also receive tailored one-on-one advising designed to help leaders navigate the complexity of driving AI-related change across a multi-school network. These sessions will be customized based on each organization’s context, operating model, and priorities.
Example focus areas may include:
- Engaging key stakeholders and building internal alignment across campuses
- Measuring progress and success at the network level
- Adjusting operating structures to support AI adoption
- Developing a network-wide vision for student AI literacy
Who Should Apply
We are seeking nonprofit, charter school, and network leaders committed to exploring AI as a strategic lever for impact. Ideal participants are those who:
- Have leadership commitment from the executive director, head of school, network, or key academic or operations leaders who are ready to champion and invest time and resources in AI adoption.
- Are AI-curious, as this cohort is best suited for organizations that have begun exploring AI and are ready to move from experimentation to strategy and organization-wide adoption
- Are eager to connect with peers navigating similar opportunities and challenges.
By participating in the cohort, participants commit to:
- Dedicate time to attend monthly cohort sessions and actively engage in discussion
- Allocate 2-5 hours per month for pre-work, applied homework, and/or piloting AI practices
- Share learnings openly with the cohort and contribute to the peer community
- Bring insights and tools back to the organization to solicit input on strategy and drive organizational change
- [Charter network cohort only] Participate in monthly 1:1 advising sessions with the Bellwether team to deepen planning and implementation support.
Apply Now
You can apply for each cohort by:
- School & Network Cohorts: If you’re interested in one of the charter cohorts, apply here by December 15, 2025.
- Nonprofit Cohort: If you’re interested in the nonprofit cohort, please email stephanie.spangler@bellwether.org to explore if there are slots available.
Want more information?
Bellwether also will host an optional webinar about all three cohorts on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 12 p.m. ET. You can register for the webinar here, or email stephanie.spangler@bellwether.org with additional questions.
Partner With Us
We partner with a wide range of clients — from large-scale foundations to school districts to nonprofits to mission-driven companies. Let’s work together to transform education.
