UpMetrics’ Cohort program is a transformative grant opportunity that allows grantmakers to invest in nonprofit capacity by providing the tools and training they need to thrive. The program provides participating nonprofits with impact measurement software, skill-building coaching, and group-based learning opportunities.
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Each cohort is sponsored by a grantmaker and provides a group of selected nonprofits with both tools and training to ensure they walk away with new skills and connections that empower them to advance their mission.
Funders and grantees both receive a one-year subscription to the UpMetrics platform. Our industry-leading tool enables organizations to collect, analyze, and communicate impact data—all in one place.
Grantees can learn and grow with other nonprofit teams navigating similar challenges. These facilitated sessions focus on real-time problem solving, shared experiences, and practical skill-building.
Nonprofits receive training and support every step of the way so that they're set up for success, build capacity, and are equipped to sustain their work long-term.
Participants gain visibility with funders through the UpMetrics Funder Network, which helps open doors and connect them to mission-aligned grantmakers.
Nonprofits learn practical, data-driven strategies to strengthen their work and build long-term stability for their organizations.
Nonprofits learn how to track their impact and tell meaningful stories about their work that resonate with funders and the people they serve.
Nonprofits learn from each other, share ideas, and build relationships with peers and funders who share their goals.
Provide critical capacity building support that goes beyond typical programmatic grants
Build grantee skills in data management, reporting, and impact storytelling
Empower grantees to use data to increase and diversify funding
Track real-time data and impact stories
Proven ROI you can share with your stakeholders
Since inception, we've activated cohorts in more than 10 communities across the United States, servicing over 500,000 community members and covering all major thematic areas.
Take a look at our active cohorts for 2025 👉
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The Southeast Michigan Community Impact Cohort is designed to strengthen nonprofit capacity, drive data-informed decision-making, and deepen social impact across Michigan’s Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Active Funders: Ballmer Group
Current Grantees: 28
The Chicago Cohort was spearheaded by the Foglia Family Foundation in 2018, and has supported more than 75 grantees since that time.
Active Funders: The Cohort is currently celebrating its 5th year of being funded by three foundations: Foglia Family Foundation, IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation, and Christopher Family Foundation.
Current Grantees: 16
Learn MoreThe Bay Area Cohort was created in UpMetrics' home base to support nonprofit organizations with programs primarily serving Bay Area community residents.
Active Funders: The Cohort is currently funded by five foundations: Quest Foundation, Walther Family Foundation, O'Brien Family Foundation, Morgan Family Charitable, and the Payne Family Foundation.
Current Grantees: 5
Interested in participating in an upcoming cohort? We're currently exploring future cohorts in the following cities:
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If your city isn’t listed—don’t worry! We’re expanding into new regions all the time, and we’d love to know where interest is growing.
Participants can join facilitated peer learning sessions where they'll share knowledge, exchange strategies, and build collective capacity for greater social impact.
FREE GUIDE
This free guide explores how leading foundations are reimagining their support models by investing in trust, peer learning, and data-informed collaboration.
Drawing on real-world examples from UpMetrics’ Collaborative Cohorts—including a Ballmer Group-funded initiative in Southeast Michigan—you’ll gain practical insights to bring to your own grantmaking strategy.
"We could’ve spent all day in those breakout sessions—just learning from each other and exploring each other’s frameworks. That kind of experience isn’t possible virtually or one-on-one. Having 30 of us in the same room, coming from different perspectives but all working to improve Metro Detroit—that’s incredibly powerful.
From the moment we started, the energy was high. We just wanted to keep the conversations going, and I hope we can carry that same connection and momentum forward."
- Pam Debono, Executive Director for Fund Development
"The best part about the Cohort is hearing about challenges other organizations are facing and what solutions they've found for themselves.
I feel like I'm learning something new to bring back to R.O.C.K. after each session, and I really hope I'm leading others with some of our lessons learned as well."
- Curt Yagi, Executive Director
"Working with UpMetrics has been a great experience and has really helped our organization to level up when it comes to data management and reporting. They provide step-by-step instructions and great ideas when we didn't know how to implement or structure our data sets.
We are thankful to have been a part of this cohort and are excited about the future of data reporting for our key stakeholders."
- Brittney Robbins, CEO
Complete the form to register your interest in either launching a Cohort for nonprofit grantees, or joining an upcoming cohort as a grantee.
Please note that submitting your interest is not a formal application or commitment. It’s simply a way to raise your hand and say: “This sounds exciting—I'd like to learn more!”
Nonprofits that participate in our cohorts increase their funding by 55.8% year over year, on average.
