The Amplifying Capacity Together (ACT) Workshop supports leaders of organizations serving survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, by providing tools and strategies to lead effectively, navigate challenges, and build resilience to advance their mission.
Dates: December 8 - 9, 2026
Tuesday, December 8: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Oakland, CA
Note: This event is OVW approved. Do not make travel arrangements until you've received official acceptance into the program.
Apply by: October 28, 2026
*Applications will be accepted as space allows.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this workshop, participants will be better able to:
- Assess how your organization’s mission and core values are reflected in its infrastructure, culture, and practices.
- Identify leadership approaches that support staff development, succession planning, knowledge transfer, and continuity of services for survivors.
- Recognize the impacts of organizational change on staff and identify strategies to navigate transitions while maintaining services.
- Strengthen communication and feedback practices that build trust, accountability, collaboration, and team effectiveness.
- Examine organizational structures, systems, and practices that support resilience, preparedness, and continuity of services.
- Identify workplace policies and practices that support a positive, healthy, and effective organization aligned with your mission and values.
- Prioritize short and long-term planning strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability, adaptability, and capacity.
- Develop an action plan to strengthen organizational infrastructure, preparedness, and long-term sustainability.
Who can benefit and should apply?
This workshop is designed for organizations with 4–50 staff that are preparing for, experiencing, or adapting to organizational change and seeking to strengthen their capacity, resilience, and sustainability.
Applicants should apply as teams of 2–3 who can who can work together to strengthen organizational practices. At least two members should hold leadership responsibilities and decision-making authority and who have been in their current roles for more than a year. Team may include, but are not limited to executive directors, program coordinators, program directors/managers, and program staff.
How to apply?
Each team member must complete a separate application, including individual contact information, access needs, and responses to application questions. If you plan to use OVW funds to participate, please obtain approval from your OVW Program Specialist as soon as possible. Due to limited space (12-14 teams), participation is not confirmed until you receive an acceptance letter.
What to Expect:
The ACT Workshop is led by experienced organizational sustainability facilitators and includes interactive learning, peer exchange, and team activities.
- Team Pre-Work: Complete an organizational infrastructure assessment and identify strengths, challenges, and priority
areas.
- Workshop: Build skills, exchange strategies, and explore opportunities to strengthen organizational capacity.
- Post-Workshop: Identify next steps and strategies for implementation.
Costs:
This workshop is offered free of charge. Please note that participants are responsible for their own meals, lodging, travel arrangements, and costs associated with attending the program. Lodging accommodations, federal per diem rate in Oakland is $145 plus tax. Hotel recommendation options will be provided with the confirmation. Please do not make any travel arrangements until you receive a confirmation letter. OVW grantees/subgrantees can and should work with their OVW program specialists to use their budgeted travel funds to attend the event.
Scholarships:
A limited number of lodging scholarships are available (3 total), for those who do not already have travel funding in their budgets. Please inquire in your application.
This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-23-GK-05115-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
