Candidate Academy

LCV’s Candidate Academy offers training to potential candidates considering a run for government office on a pro-environment, pro-democracy platform.

Training Curriculum

The curriculum covers the standard skills for prospective candidates including:

• fundraising
• messaging
• field campaign strategies
• endorsements

In addition, our nonpartisan academy is unique in its emphasis on:

• relationship-building and listening
• approaching environmental issues in an intersectional way
• thinking critically about how to be an ally to marginalized groups

Building Relationships & Preparing for the Campaign Trail

We also invest time in building relationships among trainees, discussing what it means to run as an environmental champion and the issues that BIPOC and other marginalized groups face on the campaign trail.

We invest in building trusting relationships because running for office is psychologically and emotionally taxing, and we want prospective candidates to build a network of support that can sustain them throughout the process.

We want to prepare candidates for the realities of the campaign trail, so our curriculum talks explicitly about the issues that emerge for candidates of color and other marginalized groups to help them prepare for racial and other microaggressions.

Logistics

Each cohort includes around 20 trainees. The training program includes both in-person and online components, kicking off with 2.5 days in person followed by monthly online follow-up sessions offering ongoing learning and peer coaching support.

Cost

Participation in the Candidate Academy is free for undeclared prospective candidates. Candidates who have already launched a campaign must pay the pro rata share of the costs of their participation, so it varies for each training. Reach out using the email below for more information.

All participants must pay for their own travel to attend the training.

How To Apply

For more information on how to apply, contact Shanthi Gonzales at sgonzales@lcv.org