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 through a grant-funded 10-month cohort program.

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

Learn more about our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in these pillars

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 $200,000 to $1,500,000

Application Timeline

cohort program

01/13/2025

Application for the Accelerator cohort program opens

cohort program

03/02/2025

Application for the Accelerator Cohort Program closes

cohort program

04/14/2025

Announcement of awardees into the Accelerator cohort program

Cohort Program Overview & Dates

Curriculum in Partnership with Plywood People

Grow and learn with nonprofit leaders in the cohort using the Plywood Process which includes three parts: Kick-off Session, a Plywood Retreat, and Plywood Layers.

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 11-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 exists to provide 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