Grow as a Leader
By providing training, support, and resources – and fostering connections with fellow nonprofit leaders and change makers - Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator encourages nonprofit organizations to have greater long-term impact and contributions to the overall empowerment of our communities.
Nonprofit Founders and Executive Directors are invited to apply for in-depth training, development, and networking by Plywood People, through a grant-funded 12-month cohort program sponsored by Chick-fil-A, Inc.
To qualify for the Chick-fil-A
Impact Accelerator you must:
Nonprofit
Be the Founder or Executive Director of a nonprofit 501(c)(3)
Impact Pillars
Focus on one of the four impact pillars:
- Caring for People
- Caring through Food
- Caring for Communities
- Caring for the Planet
Location
Serve communities across the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico
Organizational Stage
Be an established 501(c)(3) with annual operating budget ranging from $250,000 to $2,500,000
Application Timeline
cohort program
01/05/2026
Application for the Accelerator cohort program opens
Sustain your purpose, Scale your impact
It has been a year of sustaining your purpose. Now it’s time to accelerate your impact. You are the people who are addressing the needs of our communities, and the work to be done is never ending. That is why we want to help.
cohort program
03/02/2026
Application for the Accelerator Cohort Program closes
Sustain your purpose, Scale your impact
It has been a year of sustaining your purpose. Now it’s time to accelerate your impact. You are the people who are addressing the needs of our communities, and the work to be done is never ending. That is why we want to help.
cohort program
04/10/2026
Announcement of awardees into the Accelerator cohort program
Sustain your purpose, Scale your impact
It has been a year of sustaining your purpose. Now it’s time to accelerate your impact. You are the people who are addressing the needs of our communities, and the work to be done is never ending. That is why we want to help.
Cohort Program Overview & Dates
The Cohort Program begins with an all-day Kick-off Session following the conference. This session will provide training on 10 foundational areas nonprofit leaders need to track. You will meet the program team and fellow cohort members and be introduced to what you can get out of the 12-month program.
By participating in the kick-off, you can expect:
- To learn about ten foundational areas nonprofit leaders need to track
- To connect with the program facilitators and fellow nonprofit leaders
- To create, update and complete a Business Model Canvas
- To learn what to expect from the program
To grow the impact of organizations, nonprofit leaders must continue to grow and develop. The Plywood Retreat will help leaders to hone their skills, receive feedback about their projects, and be encouraged to move their ideas to the next level.
The Plywood Retreat is an intensive and immersive experience that takes place over 3 days. The 3-Day Retreat focuses on professional development and includes a time of personalized advising for each leader.
By participating in THE RETREAT, you can expect:
- To learn about key growth areas for nonprofit leaders
- To get feedback from peers and facilitators on organizational challenges
- To review and develop your plans for growing your impact
- To receive strategic support and accountability
Layers provides half-day monthly coaching for you as a leader of your organization. Through group advice, built-in accountability and access to a strong network of mentors, this is Plywood People's way of offering intentional and ongoing support to nonprofit leaders.
As a PART OF Layers, you can expect:
- To have consistent community and deeper relationships with a group of like-minded leaders
- The ability to be heard and known in a small group setting
- A curriculum to help you plan for sustainable growth across your organization.
- An opportunity to talk through tensions, and to offer and receive feedback
Past & Current Participants
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Want to learn more?
We invite you to browse our frequently asked question or reach out to us
Grow with nonprofit leaders
Join Us
Join us for a one-day event on April 27, 2023 to hear from world changing leaders and participate in capacity-building sessions on topics such as building boards, strategic marketing, preventing burnout, scaling your impact, and more.