Purpose: The Main Street America Academy is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that are practical, engaging, and rooted in the realities of today’s Main Street leaders. With the What’s Next Cohort, our team seeks to push beyond introductory training and provide seasoned practitioners with a space to reflect, collaborate, and innovate together.

Goals: The What’s Next Cohort is designed to provide advanced Main Street leaders with a high-impact, collaborative learning experience that pushes beyond foundational revitalization work. Grounded in the Main Street America Academy’s values of engagement, applied practice, and peer connection, the cohort will give participants the tools, relationships, and actionable strategies they need to address the complex challenges facing mature Main Street programs.

The selected consultant, group, or organization will serve as the facilitation and design partner for the What’s Next Cohort, a three-month virtual learning experience running from June 2026 to August 2026. The consultant will work closely with the Main Street America Academy team to design, deliver, and document a high-quality program that prioritizes learner engagement, peer connection, and project-based outcomes.

Timeline

• Request for proposals distributed: October 2025
• Deadline for RFP responses: December 15, 2025
• Presentation by invitation: January 2026 to early February 2026
• Selection of provider: March 2026

Budget: The project budget is $25,000.

Tasha Sams
Director of Education
tsams@​mainstreet.​org