At the BizFed Advocacy Academy, we empower aspiring and established leaders with the tools, knowledge, and networks to shape policies, grow businesses, and create meaningful change in their communities.
The BizFed Advocacy Academy is a gamechanger for entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, nonprofit leaders, and public affairs professionals seeking to strengthen their business success and advocacy impact.
We go beyond the basics, pulling back the curtain and demystifying business skills and strategies that often get overlooked — but are critical to success.
We focus on bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real world application. By fostering a hands-on learning environment, we empower participants to tackle real life business challenges confidently and creatively. This approach ensures that every skill learned is both actionable and immediately relevant to a participant’s entrepreneurial journey.
Through:
Participants learn how to network with impact, secure funding, plan effectively, manage operations, and master public relations and social media strategies
Our program connects participants with seasoned mentors who provide continuous support in real-world skills like proposal writing, contract negotiation, marketing, public speaking, lobbying, and more. This is more than a program; it’s a transformative experience that builds confidence, unlocks potential, and empowers participants to create their opportunities while driving meaningful change in their communities.
Join us in empowering leaders, supporting businesses, and fostering equitable opportunities. Together, we can create meaningful change in our communities.
Gain insights and expand your understanding of Advocacy Academy and learn how we empower and equip leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers by finding answers to all your questions.
The BizFed Advocacy Academy is a free, cohort-based leadership and training program created to empower entrepreneurs, small business owners, students, nonprofit leaders, and public affairs professionals with the tools to thrive in business while understanding and influencing the policies that shape their success. The Academy combines expert-led sessions, project-based learning, and access to mentorship, capital, and certification pathways.
The core BizFed Advocacy Academy course is currently our primary offering. Additional tracks — including the Workforce Readiness & Economic Resilience Program, export training, civic leadership, and others — are in development and will be launched as funding becomes available. We welcome interest from funders and partners to help expand these opportunities.
The course runs for approximately 8 weeks, including pre-course assignments and a required in-person graduation and project showcase.
Yes! We welcome partnerships with chambers of commerce, educational institutions, nonprofits, community organizations, and corporate or philanthropic supporters who are aligned with our mission.
Partners play a critical role in outreach, mentorship, content delivery, and ecosystem support — and may also receive stipends when referring eligible graduates. However, we are especially seeking values-aligned partners who are also interested in investing in the long-term success of the Academy through in-kind contributions, strategic collaboration, or financial support.
If you’re interested in becoming a partner, please contact us at advocacyacademy@bizfed.org
Thanks to the generous support of our public and private partners, participation in the BizFed Advocacy Academy is completely free. In fact, participants receive a $500 stipend for full engagement and completion of the program.
This is a targeted workforce training initiative offered through the BizFed Advocacy Academy. The course prepares residents of disinvested communities for high-growth careers in sectors critical to Southern California’s future. Participants receive industry-informed training, wrap-around support, and job placement assistance in the following priority industries:
Registration opens four times per year. You can apply online during each enrollment period. Space is limited to 35 participants per cohort, so early applications are encouraged.
The Academy is open to:
Visit bizfedadvocacyacademy.org or email advocacyacademy@bizfed.org to learn more about upcoming cohorts, partnership opportunities, and funding initiatives.
Advance your advocacy skills and earn $500 when you successfully complete the BizFed Advocacy Course.
