Julie Masson, CCO for Nonprofits
Think Like a CCO Cohort
What if you could spend 12 weeks building the foundation you need to lead your nonprofit's communications well, so that you step into your role with more confidence, a clearer sense of what strategic actually looks like, and practical tools that help your comms work move your mission forward?
This cohort is built for the moment you find yourself responsible for the whole comms function, maybe for the first time, and you want to lead it like someone who knows what they're doing rather than someone who is figuring it out alone in survival mode.
About the cohort:
The Think Like a CCO Cohort kicks off Thursday September 10th at 11:00am CT/12pm ET and lasts 12 weeks.
You'll attend 6 live sessions with a cohort of nonprofit communications leaders who are in the same season you're in, stepping into leadership and learning to own the strategy rather than just execute the tasks. Each session is built around my Think Like a CCO course content, and this is foundational work by design.
We're building the frameworks, the habits, and the confidence you need to lead the whole comms function, whether you're a solo communicator or you're leading a small team.
You'll review the material ahead of time and come ready to discuss, ask questions, and learn from each other. These are facilitated conversations, not lectures, and you can invest as little or as much time as you wish.
The six sessions:
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September 10: Introductions and How to Build a Strategic Calendar for Your Nonprofit
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September 24: Audit the Heck Out of Your Comms Strategy
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October 8: How to Build a Messaging Calendar
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October 22: Managing Up
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November 5: Media Relations and PR
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November 19: How to Build a Comms Calendar
There is homework for each session for those who want to go even deeper. But even if you just show up every other week, you'll leave our time together with the tools and confidence to become a strategic partner at your nonprofit rather than a service department.
In between sessions:
You'll have access to a private cohort space where you and your fellow cohort members can continue the conversation, share what you're working on, and support each other between sessions.
Allyson Todd, Director of Communications
"I have been in communications for over three years, but I don't have a degree relevant to my work as Communications Director. I was functioning in "survival mode" for quite some time because I am a one-woman show. This cohort gave me the tools and training I needed to move from surviving to thriving. I feel more equipped to take ownership of my department due to Julie's expertise, and I feel less alone after meeting other nonprofit communicators. I believe I will reap the benefits for years to come."
About Your Cohort Facilitator
My name is Julie Masson
After 18 years leading nonprofit communications at every level from coordinator to Chief Communications Officer, one thing became clear: this work is too important and too isolating to figure out alone. My career has spanned faith-based, policy, education, and community-based organizations, and the Think Like a CCO framework is built from everything I learned along the way.
The cohort format exists because the best growth I've seen in nonprofit comms leaders happens when they're learning alongside peers, not just consuming content. The fall 2025 cohort proved that. Members told me they felt less alone, more confident, and more equipped to lead. That's what this experience is designed to deliver.
This cohort is for you if...
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You're new to leading the comms function, as a solo communicator or leading a small team for the first time.
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You've just stepped into owning the whole comms strategy, and you want to lead it, not just execute it.
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You want structured time with a small group of peers and a facilitator who has been in the CCO seat.
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You're ready to invest 12 weeks, show up, and do the work.
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You're a seasoned comms leader wanting advanced, tailored strategy work. The CCO Accelerator is built for you instead.
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You want something self-paced you can do alone. That's what the Nonprofit Comms Club is for.
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You want a finished comms plan handed to you. You'll build your own here.
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You don't yet own the comms function. The conversations assume you're leading, or about to.
This cohort is NOT you if...
What happens after the cohort?
The cohort is a standalone 12-week experience. When it ends, you'll have the frameworks, the peer connections, and the confidence to lead differently at your organization. If you want ongoing community access, peer support, and continued access to Julie, the Nonprofit Comms Club is available as a separate membership. Many participants from the Fall 2025 cohort are active and engaged in the NCC to this day because they don't want to lose the community they've built or the support they received from their time during the cohort.
FAQs
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Do I need to be a Nonprofit Comms Club member to join the cohort? No. The cohort is a standalone experience. You do not need to be a member of the Nonprofit Comms Club to participate. However, members do receive a 50% discount.
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What if I can't make every session? Sessions are recorded and available in your cohort space. But the real value is in showing up live, being part of the discussion, and learning from your peers in real time. If you know you'll miss more than two sessions, this might not be the right cohort for you.
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How many people are in each cohort? Each cohort is capped at 15-20 members to keep the group small enough for real conversation and connection.
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How often does the cohort run? Once a year. The fall 2026 cohort kicks off September 10th.
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How much does the cohort cost? $695/person. In order to reserve your spot, payment must be received by September 1, 2026. Please note that once this cohort is full, I will close applications and new payments. I recommend paying as soon as possible in order to save your place in the cohort. NCC members receive a 50% discount.
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Can my employer pay for this? This is professional development your employer should fund. A 12-week cohort with a former CCO leading facilitated discussions on strategic communications is exactly the kind of investment that benefits your organization directly. You'll return to your role with stronger frameworks, sharper thinking, and more confidence in front of leadership. Ask your boss. Most will say yes. We can provide documentation for expense approval if needed.
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What's the difference between the cohort and the Nonprofit Comms Club? The NCC is an ongoing membership community with year-round access to peers, trainings, monthly CCO Roundtables, and bookable 1:1 calls with Julie. The cohort is a focused 12-week experience with six live sessions facilitated by Julie. The cohort goes deeper on the Think Like a CCO framework in a small group setting. The NCC gives you ongoing support. I will encourage people who do the cohort to join the NCC afterward, but you can do either one independently.
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What's the difference between the cohort and the CCO Accelerator? The cohort is a group experience. You're learning alongside 15-20 other comms leaders through facilitated discussion. The CCO Accelerator is intensive 1:1 coaching where Julie helps you build a strategic plan, messaging calendar, and channel audit tailored specifically to your organization. The cohort is about growing as a leader. The Accelerator is about building a strategic system you can run on your own.