Candidate & Campaign Trainings

 

It’s your time to run! Join LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for a training to teach you what it takes to run a successful campaign while talking about the unique obstacles (and solutions) that LGBTQ+ people face. LGBTQ+ public officials are severely underrepresented in all levels of government across the U.S.

Our signature LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Trainings provide a comprehensive, non-partisan simulation to understand campaign best practices for any present or future LGBTQ+ candidates, campaign staff, and community leaders. Trainees learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign exercises and working with peers to develop a plan to run for office and win.

Thousands of LGBTQ+ candidates, elected officials, and leaders have learned how to build winning campaigns through our training programs, and we want you to join us next!

Danica Roem speaks at the 2017 LGBTQ Leaders Conference

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s bootcamp-style campaign training in 2016 gave me the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to make the leap and run in 2017.

-Virginia Senator Danica Roem

SAVE THE DATES – 2025 CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAININGS

Applications are not currently open but will be soon!

May 15-18, 2025 – Houston, TX (4-day Bootcamp Training)

September 4-7, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA (4-day Bootcamp Training)

Dates TBD – Washington, DC (2-day Academy Training)

Want more information in the difference between our programs? Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

 

Join us for a 2025 Candidate & Campaign Training!

Join us for an upcoming LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Training to see how you can be the change in your community. For any questions, please contact us at training@victoryinstitute.org.

Our training programs are application-based and have limited space. We encourage you to apply by the deadline and select ALL dates & cities for which you are available. We will leave the applications open post-deadline on a rolling-basis should space be available. 

Want to stay in the loop about applications opening? Click below to stay updated!

 

Information Sessions

Want to learn more about our LGBTQ+ Candidate & Campaign Trainings? Attend one of our free, virtual information sessions for more information. Each information session is roughly 30 minutes with an opportunity for Q&A. For some Frequently Asked Questions, click here!

Click here to see upcoming dates & times of our Information Sessions.

Thinking of running for office?

Through a great partnership, we have created a resource for LGBTQ+ candidates who want to learn more about open positions in their community. By inputting your zip code, you’ll be able to see which positions are available for a future run.

Meet the Trainers

Victory has worked with these four subject-matter experts for years and they have collectively trained thousands of LGBTQ+ candidates. Learn more about them here.

Joe Fuld

Joe Fuld

Founder, The Campaign Workshop
Martín Diego Garcia

Martín Diego Garcia

Vice President, Training and Strategic Planning, The Campaign Workshop
Courtney Snowden

Courtney Snowden

Founder and President, The Blueprint Strategy Group
Kelton Morgan

Kelton Morgan

President, Campaign Services Group (CSG)

Notable Alumni

Governor Jared Polis
Governor of Colorado

U.S. Representative Robert Garcia
U.S. Representative, CA-42

State Senator Danica Roem
Virginia Senate

State Representative Zooey Zephyr
Montana House of Representatives

State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

State Representative Leslie Herod
Colorado State House of Representatives

For questions regarding the Candidate & Campaign Trainings, please contact us at training@victoryinstitute.org.

 

If Not You, Then Who?

Know someone who you think would be a great LGBTQ+ candidate? Nominate them to participate in one of our Candidate & Campaign Trainings. A member of our team will reach out to them directly to encourage them to sign up for an upcoming program.

 

For any questions or to nominate directly, please contact us at training@victoryinstitute.org.

 

Supporters

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute would like to give special thanks to our program supporters. Their philanthropy ensures that this program has the financial resources it needs to offer our Candidate & Campaign Training.

If you are interested in learning how you/your company can support Campaign and Candidate Trainings, please contact Curtis Sakow, Director of Corporate & Institutional Giving, at curtis.sakow@victoryinstitute.org.

Upcoming Trainings

  • Washington, DC

    Candidate & Campaign 101 Training

    Curious about what it means to run for office as an LGBTQ+ person? Join us for a FREE one-day Candidate…

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    Houston, TX

    2025 Houston, TX Candidate & Campaign Training

    APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON FOR OUR 2025 CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAININGS.LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is bringing its signature Candidate & Campaign…

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    Los Angeles, CA

    2025 Los Angeles, CA Candidate & Campaign Training

    APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON FOR OUR 2025 CANDIDATE & CAMPAIGN TRAININGS.LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is bringing its signature Candidate & Campaign…