Community cohorts

Work through a shared challenge, together.

Join other rural organizations facing similar priorities. Get clear on the problem, learn what has worked elsewhere, and meet technology matched to your needs, with AscendRural guiding the way.

Community event speaker

What is a community cohort?

A community cohort is a small group of rural organizations that work through the same kind of challenge together, over a few months, with AscendRural guiding the way. You meet online with peers, get clear on the problem you most want to solve, learn what has worked in other places, and meet technology companies chosen for your needs.

What the cohort helps you do

1

Name the problems that matter most

We help you name the biggest problems getting in the way of your goals and clarify what a solution would need to do to be useful.

2

Understand what could actually help

Practical tools and working sessions to understand what is possible, what could get in the way, and what it would take to move from interest to action.

3

Learn with peers across the country

Learn alongside organizations nationally that are working through similar access, capacity, and sustainability challenges.

4

Get support thinking through fit

As-needed support to think through fit, capacity, workflow, leadership buy-in, and long-term sustainability.

5

See solutions matched to your goals

Meet vetted technology partners that are matched to the problems and goals you identify through the cohort.

6

Choose your next step, if there is a fit

If you choose to move forward, we can help plan a rollout or demonstration period and measure whether the solution is actually helping.

How a cohort works

1Identify & Define 2Source 3Prepare 4Match & Align 5Demonstrate 6Sustain & Scale
See each stageHide the stages
Stage
Youyour organization
AscendRural
1
Identify & Define
You

Share what is hard today and the problems you most want to solve. You do not need to know what technology you need.

You getClear priorities and the outcome you want.
AscendRural

We learn about your organization and community, and help turn what you share into clear priorities alongside other cohort members.

2
Source
Between sessions
You

Tell us what a solution would need to do to be useful for your team and the people you serve.

You getA shortlist built around your needs, not a sales pitch.
AscendRural

We look for, screen, and vet technology companies against the priorities the cohort named.

3
Prepare
You

Join the working sessions with peers and complete short homework between them.

You getA problem brief to share with your team, board, or a funder, plus funding pathway options.
AscendRural

We facilitate the sessions, bring case studies and real results from peer organizations, and support you on fit, capacity, workflow, and leadership buy-in.

4
Match & Align
Solution Showcase
You

Meet a focused group of companies, with your problem brief guiding the conversation. Bring the people who would use a solution day to day.

You getDirect conversations with companies matched to your goals.
AscendRural

We organize the Showcase around your priorities and help both sides understand fit and expectations.

5
Demonstrate
If there is a fit
You

Decide whether to try a solution. Agree goals, responsibilities, and costs before you commit.

You getEvidence from your own setting to inform the decision.
AscendRural

We help plan a rollout or demonstration period, support implementation, and measure whether it is actually helping.

6
Sustain & Scale
Your call
You

Choose what comes next: adopt, adapt, or stop.

You getA pathway to keep what works.
AscendRural

We help with the contracting pathway, including Sourcewell contracts where they apply, rollout planning, and measuring results.

Stages 5 and 6 happen only if you find a fit and choose to move forward.About the model

Who a cohort is for

A cohort is a good fit if your organization:

  • Is a government agency or nonprofit actively serving a rural region in the United States

  • Is open to exploring new approaches

  • Has leadership support and a lead who will take part

  • Can commit a small but consistent amount of time

  • Is interested in sustaining a solution where it clearly delivers value

Prior experience with innovation or technology is helpful but not required.

How we select

Submissions are reviewed for eligibility and fit with the cohort’s focus. Shortlisted organizations may be invited to a brief conversation so we can learn your context and answer your questions. We look for innovation readiness, clarity of need, alignment with the cohort’s focus, and potential for impact.

Who to bring

Each organization names a lead who joins every session. We encourage you to bring a few key people: an executive or development director, a program lead or frontline staff member who would use a solution day to day, or a board member who can help carry the work forward.

FAQ

  • Joining a community cohort is free. Pilot and technology adoption costs vary; they are discussed before your organization makes a commitment.

  • No. Exploring a challenge or participating in a demonstration does not require you to purchase a solution. However, the goal is to identify strong technologies aligned to your organization’s needs.

  • The goal is to make a well-informed decision. A pilot can produce valuable learning even when the right choice is not to continue.

  • No specialized innovation team is required to start a conversation. We help you understand what skills, resources, and partners may be needed for the next step.

  • About six hours of live time over the course of a cohort (spaced over multiple months). All sessions are virtual.

  • Live sessions are virtual. Between sessions, the cohort lives in our online community space, where materials, templates, recordings, and peer conversations live.

Interested in joining a cohort, or seeing your priority on our list?

Tell us a little about your organization and the challenge that matters most in your community. We will let you know when a cohort opens that fits, and your input helps shape which themes we take on next.