Spadework, In-Advance’s organizer training school, strengthens movement infrastructure by providing strategic support to both organizers and organizations across every stage of growth.
Spadework nurtures both organizers and institutions, guiding participants to sharpen the craft of organizing, deepen strategic leadership, and nurture an organizing ecosystem that can sustain initiatives for the long haul. Drawing from decades of collective movement organizing experience in In-Advance’s leadership, we go deep in working with organizations, their staff, and their leadership to align and sharpen their strategies and initiatives to yield meaningful systemic transformation in the communities they work with.
Through this work, we cultivate collaborative relationships between organizations to share resources, exchange strategies, and develop a shared horizon where all our communities thrive-–moving towards a vision of a vibrant, resilient, multicultural movement ecosystem that can sustain its work across generations.
Spadework’s approach follows a full lifecycle model, supporting organizers and organizations at every stage of growth:
Seeding Change
Two-day trainings introducing staff and leaders to the fundamentals of base-building, leadership development, and organizing strategy for both individuals and organizational teams.
Taking Root
A five-month cohort wherein organizers and organizational leaders deepen their practice through supported fieldwork, mentorship, and in-person trainings.
Blooming Together
A year-long Directors Circle accompanying senior leadership to align programs, sharpen horizons, and strengthen institutions rooted in long-haul movement goals.
Regeneration Residency
The New Horizons Residency (launching in 2025) offering veteran organizers space to reflect, reconnect, and renew their contributions to movement building at In-Advance’s new retreat center close to Philadelphia, PA.
Consultations and Tailored Trainings
Ongoing customized support for frontline organizations to tailor Spadework’s base-building tools, strengthen campaign strategies, align programs and initiatives along an organizing approach, and sharpen and clarify their “Organizing Theory of Change” informed by long-arc visioning.
Interested in any of the above? Contact admin@spadework.community for more info.
Spadework participant organizations
"Being able to send our organizers out into the broader community allows our movement to cross-pollinate and share wisdom, stories, tactics, and training to which otherwise we would not have access."
lola n’sangou, Mass Liberation AZ (Arizona)
"Spadework has been paramount in establishing foundational knowledge of organizing practices. We have a deeper understanding and commitment to developing youth organizers and pushing our work forward. All of our staff who have participated have become better organizers."
Lukas, Hadiyah, Janet, Senayt, Maya, Domenichi, and Peter from Oakland Kids First (Oakland)
"Spadework provided timely, practical tools and tailored guidance that reshaped our base-building strategies. The Ladder of Engagement Tool revolutionized our approach to community engagement, highlighting gaps and paving the way for more effective interactions. The Base-Building Plan helped us align our diverse programs under a unified, long-term vision, fostering a cohesive direction for our organization."
Lan Dinh, VietLead (Philadelphia)