---
title: Fall 2024 Pragmatic Activism Cohort Applications Open!
description: Grunin Foundation and Orville Morales offer in-depth Pragmatic Activism Cohort for those who live, work, worship, or serve in Ocean and Monmouth Counties
image: https://blog.gruninfoundation.org/hubfs/Cohort_Blog_Image-1.png
---
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August 14th, 2024 | [Advocacy](https://blog.gruninfoundation.org/tag/advocacy)
# Fall 2024 Pragmatic Activism Cohort Applications Open!
**by [Kelly Fliller](https://blog.gruninfoundation.org/author/kelly-fliller)**
Share:
The Grunin Foundation, in collaboration with [Orville Morales](https://www.moralesassociates.com/about-us), is thrilled to offer our next in-depth Pragmatic Activism Cohort for those who live, work, worship, or serve in Ocean and Monmouth Counties! The Cohort will allow for up to 30 members.
**The Pragmatic Activism Cohort is geared towards:**
- Individuals that live, work, worship, or serve in Ocean or Monmouth Counties
- Staff, volunteers, board members of organizations that are located in, or service, Ocean or Monmouth Counties (regardless of where their offices are located)
- Statewide or regional organizations who indirectly serve Ocean and Monmouth Counties
- If space permits, groups/ individuals outside of these areas may also be accepted to participate
This program will teach nonprofits and businesses the importance of advocacy and how they can get involved. The cohort will be led by Orville Morales, who teaches Pragmatic Activism using a six-phase approach:
**Why We Exist**
We believe that we cannot change people we disagree with until we face them. We work with folks who consider themselves invested agents who care about their impact in the world and are willing to speak their minds through their presence at work, in their neighborhoods, and beyond.
**Who We Are**
We are a consulting firm whose purpose is to inspire people to see how their actions have an impact on others.
**What We Do**
Our goal is to help people and organizations maintain a long-term commitment towards the social good, ensuring you are part of the broader, more public dialogue around topics you care about and allow for nuance and complexity to conversations and debates.
**Pragmatic Activism**
A strategic approach to social change that allows for intentional and reasonable action that is sustainable over time.
***If you concerned about any personal or professional barriers to participation that the Grunin Foundation may be able to help address*,* please contact Vicki at [Vicki@GruninFoundation.org](mailto:Vicki@GruninFoundation.org) to discuss. Your response may help us orchestrate a more successful experience for you.***
The training will take place over five sessions, using a six-phase approach. Attendance is required at each of the five sessions.
**Phase 1: Where You Stand**
We provide a pair of assessments to get a sense of who you are, what you believe, and explore the kinds of actions towards social good you have done in the past or are willing to do to move forward.
**Phase 2: Tree of Influence**
We facilitate a discussion to explore who you can influence via public policy as an advocate in your region. This workshop includes a deep analysis of the various levels of the government in the region and their prevailing priorities of the day.
**Phase 3: Other Voices in the Field**
You are not alone in your region, so we explore the other voices you must listen to and consider when taking action. This session includes exploring how these voices advocate on behalf of issues important to them.
**Phase 4: Timing of Influence**
Explore the timing of opportunities for change in your region and identify the action steps necessary to make the most of that timing.
**Phase 5: Public Engagement**
We will facilitate a discussion to prepare you to begin talking about your efforts and develop action steps for you to get started in your pragmatic activism.
**Phase 6: Triage of Engagement**
This session is all about planning, executing, and troubleshooting public engagement if things go wrong. But, ultimately, this phase is about putting it all together and providing a road map that can protect your journey from negative fallout.
**Who is the Pragmatic Activism Cohort for?**
The cohort will accept up to 30 individuals who live, work, worship, or serve in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, based on an application process.
**The Pragmatic Activism Cohort is geared towards:**
- Individuals that live, work, worship, or serve in Ocean or Monmouth Counties
- Staff, volunteers, board members of organizations that are located in, or service, Ocean or Monmouth Counties (regardless of where their offices are located)
- Statewide or regional organizations who indirectly serve Ocean and Monmouth Counties
- If space permits, groups/ individuals outside of these areas may also be accepted to participate
**When will the Pragmatic Activism Cohort take place?**
The training will take place over five sessions – with attendance required at all sessions.
**Location (in-person with a hybrid option via Zoom):**
In-person location: HOPE Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center
19 Davis Ave, Neptune City, NJ
Virtual option via Zoom
Each session will be from 3pm to 7:30pm and dinner will be provided. Dates are:
Monday, Sept. 9
Monday, Oct. 7
Monday, Oct. 28
Monday, Nov. 18
Monday, Dec. 9
**Who will be leading the Pragmatic Activism Cohort?**
Orville Morales – learn more [here](https://www.moralesassociates.com/about-us).
**How do I apply to be part of the Pragmatic Activism Cohort?**
[**To apply to be a part of the cohort, please click here to complete this brief application**.](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PACohortFa24)
We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis and will reach out to you ASAP once we have reviewed your information.
**What if my application is not accepted into the cohort of 30?**
We will be doing additional cohorts in the future and will put together a wait list based on applications this time around. If you are not in the fall 2024 cohort, we will be in communication about future opportunities.
**Is there a fee to participate in the program?**
Absolutely not! We are so grateful to those giving of their time to participate fully in the cohort. Those who are accepted into and participate in all 5 sessions of the program will receive a $500 Visa Gift Card\* as an acknowledgement of their commitment.
We’re looking forward to this next Pragmatic Activism Cohort, with more to come in the future!
**\*Important Note:** *Awards/Gifts/Stipends (cash and non-cash) that equal or exceed $600 per calendar year, are reportable to the IRS. This payment may be taxable. Please consult your tax advisor. **We request all participants submit a W9 regardless of total compensation.***
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