ACS CAN Coleman-Montle ACT Leadership Catalyst

Applications are now open for the ACS CAN Coleman-Montle ACT Leadership Catalyst inaugural cohort! Funded through a generous donation from Kay Coleman and Janice Montle, the ACS CAN ACT Leadership Catalyst is an in-person leadership program offering focused, strategic skill building for accelerating ACT Lead impact. The program includes an annual in-person training in February and bi-monthly post-training cohort calls through the end of the calendar year.

In-Person Training Goals

Participants leave the training better able to:

Own and grow their district
Apply skills autonomously
Perform responsibilities at higher level
Maintain regular lawmaker touchpoints
Model exemplary advocacy

Key Dates

September 14, 2026 – applications open APPLY HERE
September 22, 2026 – optional information session for interested applicants REGISTER HERE
October 23, 2026 – application deadline
November 9, 2026 – cohort selected and notified
November 17, 2026 - December 17, 2026 - registration for selected attendees
February 5-7, 2027 – in-person training
March - December, 2027 - bi-monthly cohort calls

Applicant Requirements

Must have served at least one and not more than six years as an ACS CAN ACT Lead
Must have attended at least one Leadership Summit & Lobby Day or state Cancer Action Day
Must be available for an in-person training February 5-7, 2027, in Chicago, Illinois. (Note that all expenses associated with the training will be covered or reimbursed by ACS CAN.)
Must be available for one pre-event call in January 2027

For questions related to the Catalyst, please reach out to [email protected].

Volunteers standing in front of the U.S. Capitol

Apply to the Coleman-Montle ACT Leadership Catalyst

Volunteers at ACS CAN fuel our current campaigns for policy change and build our organizing capacity for the campaigns ahead. Growing the skills and abilities of our volunteers grows our ability to win. If you are a current ACT Lead ready to grow and engage through innovation, apply today!

Apply Today

Frequently Asked Questions

I meet most but not all criteria, can I apply?

Currently, this opportunity is only available to ACT Leads who have been in the position 1-6 years, have attended at least one Leadership Summit & Lobby Day or state Cancer Action Day, and are available for in-person training in Chicago February 5-7, 2027. Feel free to follow up with Hillary Clarke if you would like to discuss these qualifications.

How should I coordinate with my staff partner during the application process?

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit 1-2 staff references. These can be your state staff partner (typically a grassroots manager) but might also be a state government relations director or any other ACS CAN staff person with whom you have worked closely. You should let this person(s) know that you will be using them as a reference.

What are the expectations for a participant in the program?

We anticipate a competitive application process during which 34 volunteers will be selected for the 1st cohort. Participants will be expected to accept and register between November 17 and December 17. The in-person training will be held in Chicago on February 5-7, 2027. And bimonthly calls will likely start in March. All expected expenses will be paid or reimbursed by ACS CAN, similar to participation in LS&LD.

If I'm uncertain about my 2027 schedule and February availability, may I apply?

No, in this case we suggest waiting for the 2028 cohort opportunity instead. You should only apply if you are certain of your availability for February 5-7, 2027, in Chicago.

I would like to develop my leadership competency in a particular area (e.g. media engagement, health equity, etc.). Will the program offer me an opportunity to do that?

This training is focused on the competencies most needed to be a successful ACT Lead – leading your team, building relationships with lawmakers, storytelling, and fundraising. If you decide to apply, there is a question on the application about leadership responsibilities you’d like to grow into. While we can’t promise training components that match that interest, naming it will help us grow the program moving forward and it’s possible that we can use one or more of the bi-monthly cohort calls to offer that additional content.

How will this program differ from or enhance the training I've already received at Leadership Summit?

The Catalyst curriculum will embrace an interactive, practice-intensive approach to enhance the skill sets crucial to executing the fundamental tenets of a successful ACT Lead. The two-day program will include a mix of interactive sessions and focused skill building around storytelling, peer engagement and power analysis that goes beyond the content delivered to volunteer leaders at Spring Leadership Summit and Leadership Summit & Lobby Day.

Will participating in the program change anything about my future trajectory at ACS CAN?

Participating in the Catalyst is not a guarantee for any future volunteer leadership role at ACS CAN. However, it is our intent that volunteers leave the program better equipped to be leaders, and that the Catalyst leads to long-term growth in organizational leadership capacity.

I have a different question. How can I get an answer?