UpMetrics’ Collaborative Cohort program is a transformative grant opportunity that allows grantmakers to invest in nonprofits more effectively by providing the tools and training they need to thrive. The yearlong program provides nonprofits with impact measurement software, skill-building coaching, and group-based learning opportunities.
Grantmakers who build stronger, more collaborative relationships with nonprofits can strengthen nonprofit resilience and accelerate their community impact. You just need essential data skills, powerful measurement tools, and a space to learn and grow together.
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.
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.
Nonprofits receive training and support every step of the way. The end goal? Grantees are set up for success and equipped to sustain their work long-term.
Grantees learn how to track their impact and tell meaningful stories about their work that resonate with funders and the people they serve.
Grantees learn practical, data-driven strategies to strengthen their work and build long-term stability for their organizations.
Grantees learn from each other, share ideas, and build relationships with peers and funders who share their goals.
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
If you're ready to strengthen relationships, learn in community, and grow your impact, our Collaborative Cohort program is for you. It could be the most impactful grant you make this year.
Your grantees are doing meaningful work—but that mission alone isn’t enough to ensure long-term stability. That’s why our Collaborative Cohorts focus on teaching the skills that matter most through peer learning sessions and hands-on support.
But what does this mean in practice?
Watch this video from our recent Southeast Michigan Community Impact Cohort meetup to hear how the program is impacting funders and grantees alike.
Grantmakers have
Sponsored Cohorts
Nonprofit Grantees
Supported via Cohorts
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 👉
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 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: 30
The 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
Let's Connect!
Complete the form to register your interest in either launching a Collaborative 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.
Still have questions about our cohort programs? Feel free to reach out - we'd love to discuss how we can work together to drive collective impact!
Each Collaborative Cohort operates for 1 year, but can be extended or expanded past year one if desired.
We recommend launching Collaborative Cohorts with at least 10 grantees to maximize the value of the experience. With a larger group, grantees gain exposure to more peers, which leads to richer collaboration, stronger networks, and more shared learning opportunities. That said, we understand that every funder’s goals and grantee landscape is different—we’re happy to support cohorts with fewer than 10 participants when needed.
The maximum number of grantees for a single cohort is 50, but multiple cohorts can be launched simultaneously.
Funders pay a $5,000 grant per grantee. Grantees do not pay any fees to participate.
Yes! The cost can be structured as a grant via our Data for Good Fund, managed by the Tides Foundation.
Funders will have the option, but will not be required, to participate in onboarding (est. 2hrs) and two learning sessions (two half days) alongside the cohort.
The program provides grantees access to the UpMetrics platform and help center content, as well as training and onboarding sessions to guide them through their data journey.
They will also be invited to cohort-specific community events to get to know their fellow grantees, as well as UpMetrics' Impact Learning Collective sessions.
Yes, sponsored nonprofit grantees will receive full access to the UpMetrics IMM Suite, which includes all features needed for measuring the impact of their programs and communicating that impact to their grantors and community stakeholders.
Nonprofits can choose to retain their platform access via an annual subscription (pricing can be found here). Funders can also choose to sponsor the platform on their nonprofits' behalf.