LGBTQ+ Victory Institute is bringing its signature Candidate & Campaign Training to Philadelphia, PA on April 23 – 26, 2026, as part of its efforts to train a diverse pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders to run for office and win!
Understanding how to develop a winning strategy that uses campaign tools effectively is what leads a campaign to victory. Our four-day Candidate & Campaign Training provides comprehensive, non-partisan training to present and future LGBTQ+ candidates, campaign staff and community leaders. Participants will learn the necessary skills and strategies by engaging in tough, realistic campaign situations, and hearing from our campaign experts.
We’ve trained thousands of openly LGBTQ+ people on how to build winning campaigns — including former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, U.S. Congresswoman Sarah McBride, U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia, and Virginia State Senator Danica Roem.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute invites all trans and gender-expansive applicants to apply for a free-of-charge training extension that will take place immediately after the Candidate & Campaign Training from April 26 – 28, 2026. Additional programming around the trans candidate experience will be provided. Select participants will be admitted into the extension program and the additional overnight accommodations will be covered for those participants. To opt-in for this additional program (trans and gender-expansive participants only), please select the option on the main application linked below. For any questions, please contact training@victoryinstitute.org.
Application Process & Dates
- Submit an online application by the application deadline of March 4, 2026.
- Staff will review all applications after the deadline.
- Notifications will be sent to all applicants by late March 2026. Those invited to join a cohort will receive their registration and payment links.
- Any remaining spots will operate on a rolling application basis and application will close three weeks before the training. For the Philadelphia Candidate & Campaign Training, the last day for rolling application will be April 15, 2026.
Program Costs
- $450.00 for all program materials, training fees, food, and a shared double hotel room for 3-nights
- $775.00 for all program materials, training fees, food, and a private single hotel room for 3-nights
Note: These are fixed costs. Regardless of whether you live locally or not, you must select one of these two prices. It’s required that program participants stay at host hotel due to long training days/nights.
Agenda Overview
- Day 1: Training begins Thursday in the evening, 5pm-late night
- Day 2/3: Friday and Saturday, 8am-late night
- Day 4: Sunday training concludes at 12:00pm.
Curriculum and agenda breakdown here.
FAQ
View our Frequently Asked Questions here.
