OUT Maine x The Onion Foundation Cohort 2026-2027
What is “inclusive” programming? What would that look like for your organization? Let’s find out together through The Onion Foundation and OUT Maine’s comprehensive learning cohort program and advanced workshops!
We invite Onion Foundation grantee organizations to join us for two cohort opportunities in the 26-27 season; in the spring and fall. This is where professionals will learn to cultivate affirming and inclusive climates within the context of their programs or work. Get guidance on updating organizational policies and procedures, reaching new audiences for your programs, or providing more effective direct youth support—these are just a few examples of cohort goals we’ll help you customize to suit your unique situation!
Not an Onion Foundation grantee eligible to participate in the cohorts? Check out our Advanced Workshops, open to all Maine nonprofit professionals!
The cohorts will begin with an in-person training day covering foundational best practices, a self-assessment, and goal setting for each organization. After the in-person training day, cohort participants may attend regular virtual follow-up meetings to check in on group progress towards goals and cover specific topics more in depth. The cohorts work best with a team; we strongly recommend 2-3 members from each participating organization to attend together, whether that includes leadership staff, programming staff, or board members.
Spring Cohort Timeline:
- April 10: Cohort registrations open
- April 23: Building Inclusive Organizations: The Basics webinar (optional)
- May 15: Registration deadline
- May 29: In person training day, goal setting
- June-November: Monthly technical assistance calls and followup sessions
- December: Evaluations and goal assessments
Fall Cohort Timeline:
- April 10: Cohort registrations open
- October 16: Registration deadline
- October 30: In person training day, goal setting
- November-April: Monthly technical assistance calls and followup sessions
- May: Evaluations and goal assessments
Questions or concerns? Email program@outmaine.org!
“Building Inclusive Organizations: The Basics” Webinar – April 23rd
A 1.5-hour introductory webinar, “Building Inclusive Organizations: The Basics,” will take place on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, 12:00pm-1:30pm. Not sure if the full cohort is for you? Trying to get more folks from your team on board? This optional webinar is for you! We’ll be making the case for why such work is urgent and deeply needed in Maine, and introduce participants to the overarching “why” and “how” of inclusive programming practices. Sign up now to receive the webinar link in your inbox before the event!
For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to program@outmaine.org.
“Great small group discussions helped us all realize where our ideas and commitments are not necessarily codified in policies and standard procedures.” – Past cohort participant
“[Our facilitator] was helpful and enthusiastic.” – Past cohort participant
Advanced Workshops, Open to All Maine Nonprofits
In addition to the two cohort opportunities this year, OUT Maine and The Onion Foundation will be hosting a series of four advanced workshops online which will be open to any Maine nonprofit organization, with priority given to OF grantees. These 1-hour workshops are designed for participants who have already completed a foundational OUT Maine training or have comparable expertise. Explore new, specific topics that build upon the skills you’ve already learned. Open to any Maine nonprofit professional to attend!
The dates for these workshops are yet to be announced, but will be added once publicized. Advanced Workshops are capped at 50 attendees. Check back here for links to register for each workshop.
Workshop 1: Understanding Our Intersectional Identities
This session will provide attendees a chance to reflect on their individual identities, and how that influences their power as change-makers. We’ll discuss the kinds of privilege we hold, and our role in uplifting youth voices with their own intersectional identities. Attendees will learn about how intersectionality helps us understand how needs change when identities come together, as well as reflect on how their organizations can meet intersectional needs.
Workshop 2: Introduction to HOPE - Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
In this session, attendees will learn about the four building blocks of HOPE: Relationships, Environments, Engagement, and Emotional Growth. Attendees will also learn about adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences, and will explore their relationships to health outcomes for youth into adulthood. HOPE provides a guide for the “now what” response to adverse childhood experiences, which helps organizational staff determine what action steps they can take to support positive childhood experiences in youth and help build resilience for the future.
Workshop 3: Exploring Gender to Address Bias
How do we connect our inclusive policies to action? The Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey recorded that only 35.7% of high school students saw adults in their school address conflict and bullying in a positive way to help students (2025). To better address bullying, negative language, and conflict in our programs, this session will focus on how gender can become a tool of separation and oppression through personal and narrative reflections. Additionally, attendees will practice interrupting bias through role-play using the IQEE model (interrupt, question, educate, echo). Attendees will leave this session with practice in interrupting different forms of bias, reflection on how gender can be celebrated, and guidance on how to empathize with the gender diverse experience.
Workshop 4: Leading Inclusive Organizations through Policy, Reflection, and Growth
Inclusive organizations are built through caring communities, constructive policies, and engaging reflection. This session will use a case study to see how creating inclusive policies within an organization can help resolve workplace and youth conflicts. Attendees will have time to work with others to reflect on policies they have at their organization that address youth needs, leave gaps, and review procedures for addressing conflicts.
For Past Cohort Participants
For organizations and individuals who have already taken part in an OUT Maine cohort, we want to continue working with you! We offer on-demand individual technical assistance calls designed for organizations that have already completed the cohort-based learning model in previous years. Cultivating an ongoing support network is the long-term goal of these collaborative cohorts in the first place, so be assured that our team will always be around to answer your questions or brainstorm solutions. Email program@outmaine.org to schedule a call.
Past participants are also encouraged to attend any or all of the Advanced Workshops to continue developing their inclusive programming skills and building upon the knowledge received in the original cohort!