Spitfire Strategies Executive Training Program

This was an amazing and invaluable training for an organization low on resources. I learned so much: branding, Smart Chart, presentation skills, social media. I have a lot of implementing to do.

- 2009 Participant

Excellent training. I have been running a nonprofit without some critical communications skills. This training will help me work smarter. I learned a lot and can already feel the organization benefitting from my training. Fantastic - I have needed this for years!

– 2010 Participant

Since 2003, more than 185 nonprofit leaders have echoed sentiments such as these in response to Spitfire’s Executive Training Program. Each year, Spitfire helps a class of 30 nonprofit executives hone their skills and learn new strategies for using communications more effectively. Participants not only become stronger communicators, they also learn to build the capacity of their organizations to use communications to reach their social change goals.

The Spitfire Strategies Executive Training Program combines in-person trainings with online learning and direct one-on-one support. During the training sessions – held in Washington, DC throughout the year – participants work with top experts from the field while studying a host of communications building blocks from planning and tactics to evaluation and fundraising. Participants also develop skills they can immediately apply in the workplace, such as online strategy, presentation delivery, media interviews and storytelling. These in-person sessions are complimented by a series of webinars that enable participants to bring the learning home and share key training concepts with their colleagues. Each participant also benefits from a tailored communications consulting package.

As an Executive Training Program participant, you’ll learn how to:

  • Plan, execute and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy tailored to the specific needs of their organizations – ensuring not another dime is wasted on ineffective outreach activities.
  • Integrate communications and program goals to build the overall communications capacity of their organizations.
  • Refine their organizational branding and outreach to funders, members, donors and other target audiences in order to differentiate their group from the masses and make sure their messages get to their intended audiences.
  • Strengthen internal communications among board, staff, volunteers and other key stakeholders and ensure key messages are consistently echoed throughout the organization.
  • Make informed choices about communications resources.

Spitfire Strategies President Kristen Grimm leads a workshop at the Executive Training Program.


The Executive Training Program is intended for – and limited to – leaders of nonprofit organizations. Because this training can revolutionize the way a group communicates, it is critical that the participant is in a position to make decisions for his or her organization and is empowered to use the lessons learned to create real change, both internally and externally.

In 2011, all participants will come together for two three-day training sessions in Washington, D.C.

  • Session One: Wednesday, March 16 through Friday, March 18
  • Session Two: Tuesday, May 24 through Thursday, May 26

Spitfire is now recruiting participants for the 2011 program and space is limited. For more information contact Dennis Poplin at 202/293-6200, ext. 226 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .