Build Community Power. Steward Your Neighborhood’s Future.
Join a national cohort of place-based organizations learning how to adapt and implement The Guild’s Community Stewardship Trust model in their communities.
THE PROGRAM
Move from idea to implementation.
01
Learn the Fundamentals
Understand the CST model and and how it works through facilitated group sessions.
02
Develop a real project
Assess a specific site and develop a project pro forma.
03
Exchange insights
Learn alongside peer organizations and field experts.
04
Get direct support
Get tailored one-on-one technical assistance to move your project forward.
Applications are welcome from across the United States, with priority given to organizations based in the U.S. South.
THE OUTCOME
A Community Stewardship Trust
A Community Stewardship Trust is a flexible model for neighborhood-scale community ownership of commercial and mixed-use real estate. It gives residents a way to invest in local assets, govern them together, and share in the wealth they generate.
Own Together
Keep neighborhood assets and the wealth they create in community hands.
Govern Together
Give residents meaningful power over the places shaping their neighborhood.
Build Together
Transform properties into community-serving spaces.
Generate Wealth Together
Share the value created by neighborhood investment instead of extracting it.
Not just another ownership structure.
Unlike models focused primarily on housing or investment, the CST brings ownership, democratic governance, and community wealth-building together in one adaptable structure. [[link or accordion to comparison chart]]
FROM THE FIELD
What community ownership practitioners are saying
READINESS
Is This Cohort For You?
This cohort is for place-based organizations ready to move a community ownership project from aspiration toward implementation. You should be…
Place-based
rooted in a specific community, with strong local relationships
Project-ready
ready to develop a specific commercial or mixed-use site.
Community-aligned
committed to building community ownership, shared governance, and local wealth.
Capacity-ready
able to commit at least two people from your organization to participate throughout the program.
Ideal applicants have an existing funder relationship or a clear strategy for securing project funding. Organizations with interested capital partners—whether confirmed or in conversation—are well-positioned to move from learning to implementation.
If you have a strong funder relationship, we would welcome you to invite them to the sessions about systems analysis, community stewardship landscape, understanding the CST Model, and integrated capital strategy.
We especially welcome CDCs, CLTs, cooperatives, movement organizations, and emerging community ownership initiatives, particularly those that are BIPOC-led and serving BIPOC communities. Eligibility is open to organizations across North America; priority will be given to organizations in the U.S. South.
Still not sure? Reach out to us. We’re happy to chat before you apply.
THE COHORT
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TIMELINE
| OCTOBER 2026 | Applications open |
| NOVEMBER 30, 2026 | Application deadline |
| DECEMBER 2026 | Cohort selection |
| JANUARY 2027 | Participants notified & Cohort announced |
| FEB – JUNE 2027 | Core sessions & Technical Assistance |
| MAY or JUNE 2027 | In-person gathering in Atlanta |
| JUNE 2027 | Program Completion |
STRUCTURE
- Virtual group learning sessions
- Peer exchange sessions
- One in-person convening in Atlanta
- One-on-one technical assistance calls
- Self-paced project planning
INVESTMENT
There is a sliding-scale participation fee of $5,000–$15,000 to help offset program costs. We ask organizations to contribute according to their capacity, using annual organizational budget as a general guide.
Limited scholarships are available for organizations with demonstrated need.
We welcome funders interested in supporting the program or specific cohort organizations.
GO DEEPER & APPLY
Quick Self-Assessment
Wondering if this cohort is right for your organization? Answer five quick questions. If you answer yes to at least 4 of 5, we encourage you to apply. If you’re somewhere in the middle, talk with us first and we can help you determine whether the program fits your project.
1. Do you have a specific commercial or mixed-use project or site in mind?
2. Can at least two people from your organization participate throughout the program?
3. Is your organization aligned with community governance, shared ownership, and local wealth-building?
4. Can your team travel to Atlanta for the in-person convening?
5. Is your project at the idea, site identification, or pre-development stage?
Review the Program Deck
See the full curriculum, technical assistance model, partners, fees, success metrics, and timeline.
Apply to the Cohort
Applications open October 2026.
Deadline: November 30, 2026.
Partner or Fund
We welcome expert consultants and funders to support this program and the organizations within it.
Have Questions?
Questions about applying, partnering, funding—or whether the cohort is right for your organization?