• Apply for the 2026-27 CEP Cohort!

    Connecting Community to the Capitol

  • Note: To submit an application, scroll down to the subsections "General Information", "More About You", etc. and click on the triangle to the right of the header. This will drop down the sections that need to be completed.

  • What is CEP?
    Wilder's Community Equity Programming (CEP) is a catalyst for transformative change, empowering community members to lead, advocate, and reimagine Minnesota's legislative landscape.

    Led by a diverse team, CEP provides participants with an 8-month cohort experience along with knowledge and tools to: advocate and advance state-level legislation, engage with policymakers, question existing systems of power, create space for dreaming, and ultimately, build community power and solidarity to advance justice at the Capitol. 

    Note: this program does not explicitly focus on electoral politics or running for office, but can help you in the long run if this is of interest to you!

     

    Is there a fee to participate in this program? NO!

     

    Why participate in CEP? By participating in the program, you will:

     *Develop skills and knowledge necessary for navigating and advocating during a legislative session, including: legislative timelines, state budgets, navigating the Capitol campus, reading/drafting bill language, policy analysis, coalition building, preparing and delivering testimonies, and more

    *Collectively cultivate a space to discuss and critique the historic and present harms of political systems, their impact on underrepresented communities' physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and dream of and integrate restorative pathways of governance.

    *Engage in an immersive experience by participating in legislative coalitions and supporting legislation that directly impacts people from underrepresented communities and their respective communities

    *Build meaningful relationships with your AMAZING cohort and alumni through monthly social events and activities (ex. hiking, museums, bowling, trivia, etc.)

    *Connect with other leaders outside the cohort who are passionate and knowledgeable about different topics and work in relevant fields, such as legislative staff, community organizers, activists, journalists, elected officials, lobbyists, etc.

    *Examine and cultivate personal leadership through reflection and critical analysis of your experience navigating the legislative process

    *Share your knowledge from this program and help to engage others in advocacy

     

    Who should participate in CEP? Our program is open to applicants who are both early and seasoned in their political leadership journeys. At CEP, we are more interested in learning about your passions and commitment to activating change in community than popularity, degrees, or accolades (though we're sure you worked hard for those as well!). Everyone has something to learn and share from/with one another, and we welcome the unique experiences that each person brings with them to the program. In order to apply, applicants must:

     

    *Be 18 years of age or older by September 8, 2026

    *Be a part of an underrepresented community or a strong ally of underrepresented communities

    *Reside in the Twin Cities Metro area (this program year will be in person) - Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties. If you reside outside of this area, but can commit to attending all of the sessions, please feel free to apply

    *Have an interest and commitment to impacting state-level legislative policy in Minnesota

    *Be committed and available to attend at least 90% of scheduled cohort meetings and program-related activities during the extent of the program (students are welcome to apply if they can guarantee their availability for the ENTIRE program year)

    *Committed to creating a safe space for people to share about their lived experiences with empathy and solidarity 

     

    What does the commitment look like? Cohort members should expect to spend about 16-20 hours per month on CEP-related activities. Cohort members should expect to spend time on the following:

    *6-hour cohort educational sessions every other Friday from 9am-3pm from September-April(exact program dates are below - these will not change)


    *2-5 hours per month working with your paired advocacy coalition/organization


    *3-5 hours per month spent on individual assignments, buddy meetings, group projects, time at the Capitol, etc. 


    *Regular monthly 1:1 technical assistance/support check-ins with CEP staff 

     

    Program Format: This program year will take place in person at Wilder's main office (451 Lexington Pkwy, Saint Paul 55104)or at the Capitol. Wilder's main office is right off of the green line light rail and has a number of bus stops within 4 blocks (the 83 & 21).

     

    2026-27 CEP Program Dates (all Fridays except kickoff Day 2)

    Program Kickoff on Friday, September 11th from 9am-4pm and Saturday, September 12th from 9am-12pm

    September: 25th

    October: 9th and 23rd

    November: 6th and 20th

    December: 4th and 18th

    January: 8th and 22nd

    February: 5th and 19th

    March: 5th and 19th

    April: 2nd and 16th

    Graduation on Friday, April 23rd

     

    Timeline/Process: The CEP Selection Squad (made up of program alumni & staff) uses a 2-part process to select the next cohort - an online application and a virtual group interview. In Round 1, all applicants will have their applications reviewed and scored by a staff and alumni. Those who advance to Round 2 will participate in a Zoom group interview with a few other applicants.

     

    Round 1: Applications are accepted from Friday, May 1st through Monday, June 1st at 11:59 pm 

     

    Round 2: Group Interviews (July 7-July 24) 
    All applicants will receive an update on the status of their application on/before June 25th by 7pm (either you will advance to the group interview round or your application will not move forward). Interview slots will be offered in the morning, afternoon, and early evening (roughly 8am-6pm start times). There will be no weekend interviews.

    Final Decision: Applicants will receive an email notification regarding the final determination on/before Friday, July 31st by 7pm.

     

    Have questions or need assistance? JotForm supports standard input mechanisms such as user-provided keyboards, screen readers, and pointing devices. If, for some reason, you are having difficulty viewing and filling out this form or if you have any additional questions that would help you with submitting your application, please contact Stacey Brooks, Community Equity Program Assistant at stacey.brooks@wilder.org. We're here to help :)

     

    Check out our website for more information: www.wilder.org/civic-engagement-programs

     

  • Pronouns (select any/all that apply or write in your own)*
  • Gender Identity/Identities*
  • Highest Level of Education*
  • Do you identify as LGBTQIA+ (optional)
  • Do you identify as disabled (optional)
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Have you applied to CEP before*
  • Have you participated in another political leadership program before?*
  • How did you hear about CEP (click all that apply)?*

  • More About You!

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  • Accessibility

    We want to make sure that you feel supported in having your needs met so that you can bring your full self to CEP. Everyone has their own learning style and needs in order to be able to have the most impactful experience and we want to honor that. Currently, we are aware of and can offer the following to those who note a need: transportation assistance to/from in-person sessions, dietary accommodations for in-person meals, microphones, prayer room, lactation room, gender-neutral bathroom, and at least a 25 minute break during each session.
  • In the event that a CEP session needs to take place virtually, it will be difficult to fully participate in with only a cellphone. Do you have access to a laptop or desktop computer that has a webcam and keyboard to use for Friday sessions?*
  • Do you have access to high speed internet*

  • Time Commitment and Format

    Reference the program dates and time commitment/expectations at the top of the application if needed.
  • The Community Equity Program is completely voluntary and a rigorous addition at an additional 16-20 hours per month. None of us can be everywhere all the time, and the collective cohort experience is negatively impacted when cohort members are not present. If you are feeling stressed about your current/future workload or work/life balance (spiritual, emotional, mental capacity), if you feel like you may have competing meetings, programs, or other demands during program times - we strongly encourage you to take care of yourself and consider applying for another cohort year. This program will be around next year! It is important for us as facilitators to know that our program participants have not only the passion and willingness to join CEP, but also the time and capacity to fully participate. Do you have the capacity to fully participate in this year's program?*
  • I commit to attending at least 90% of cohort sessions (missing no more than two sessions*
  • I commit to attending the mandatory Kickoff Retreat on Friday, September 11th from 9 am-4 pm and Saturday, September 12th from 9 am-12 pm.*
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  • Policy Experience

    We don't require a minimum amount of knowledge of the MN legislative process or policy in general in order to participate. We just want to see where folks currently are in this work.
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  • Have you done any of the following... (check all that apply - again, we are just looking to see where your experience level lies. If you haven't done any of the following, it is okay!)*
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