Training today’s leaders. Fueling tomorrow’s change.
The MFF Institute for Community Power is a space where skills are built, movements
are grown, and community leadership is deepened across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Through hands-on training, peer learning, and collaborative support, the Institute strengthens the people and organizations driving equity at the ground level. We focus on those too often left out of traditional leadership pipelines grassroots organizers, cultural workers, neighborhood advocates, and frontline nonprofit staff.
This isn’t about theory. It’s about real-world knowledge that moves communities forward.
What We Offer
The Institute runs programs throughout the year designed for community-rooted
leaders, including:
Community Leadership Labs
Cohort-based learning for organizers, youth leaders, and nonprofit staff. Topics include:
- Strategic planning for grassroots campaigns
- Budgeting and fundraising for small orgs
- Healing justice and sustainability in leadership
- Healing justice and sustainability in leadership
Skill-Building Workshops
Short, focused trainings open to the public. Past topics have included:
- Grant writing for first-time applicants
- Storytelling for advocacy
- Running inclusive community meetings
- Digital tools for organizing and outreach
Power Circles
Facilitated spaces for peer learning and mutual support among BIPOC leaders, first-gen
founders, and community builders.
Who It’s For
We prioritize participation from:
- BIPOC-led grassroots groups
- Emerging leaders from under-resourced neighborhoods
- Arts and cultural organizers
- Small nonprofits in Oakland and the greater Bay Area
- Youth and young adult changemakers
Whether you’re running a kitchen-table nonprofit, leading a tenant union, or just getting started—we see you, and we’ve got your back.
Why It Matters
Too many community leaders are asked to do more with less—no training, no support,
no safety net. The MFF Institute exists to change that.
We believe strong communities need strong leaders—and strong leaders need investment, mentorship, and time to grow.
Get Involved
- New cohorts launch each spring and fall
- Programs are free or low-cost, with stipends available
- Childcare, meals, and translation offered at all in-person sessions