Signature Program

Applications are now open for the Class of 2026 and will close on November 12! Start your application today. 

Emerge Georgia’s signature program is a 6 month, intensive training program for Democratic self-identified women and nonbinary people who are planning to run for elected office. Our training equips leaders with the resources, knowledge, connections, and community of support necessary for a successful run for elected office. Emerge Georgia is intentional about recruiting self-identified Democratic women and nonbinary folks from groups that have been historically excluded from politics, including the New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and young and unmarried women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Program

Our training program  is a unique opportunity for Democratic women and nonbinary people who want to run for public office. It is the only in-depth, six-month, 70-hour training program that inspires candidates to run and gives them the tools to win. As a program member, you will be exposed to a variety of campaign and election experts. You will meet an array of dynamic women who hold elected and appointed office. Through Emerge, you are given specific opportunities to expand your political network. As an Emerge program member, you become a part of a supportive network which includes a national network of Emerge alumnae, Emerge board and advisory council members.

Our Curriculum

Our hybrid program combines some in person training weekends with shorter, online programming and receive top-notch training from political professionals. Participants receive comprehensive training on the following topics:

2026 Training Dates

The 2026 Signature Training will be a combination of in person and virtual training dates, taking place predominantly on full weekend days (in person), Saturday mornings (virtual) and Thursday evenings.

The trainings are scheduled for the following dates: January 21 (evening), January 24-25, February 12, February 19 (evening), February 21, February 26 (evening), February 28, March 12 (evening), March 14, April 2 (evening), April 4, April 16 (evening), April 23 (evening), April 25, May 7 (evening), May 9, May 30

If you have any questions about the schedule please email maggie@emergega.org.

Who Trains?

Emerge trainers are comprised of a premiere team of campaign consultants, advisors and staff from all over the country. Many of them have been involved in some of the most successful campaigns and initiatives we’ve seen in recent election cycles. They come from backgrounds that span over fundraising, direct mail, field strategy, communications, press management and campaign messaging. They have won races from the city council to the Senate.

Tuition

The cost of our program is $750 – but we encourage all participants to follow our grassroots fundraising program, training, and templates to fundraise that amount instead of paying tuition. Fundraising is hard, particularly for women candidates, and even more so for people of color running for office. Campaign finance and fundraising remains a barrier of entry for many folks running for office, and that’s why we’re tackling it head-on to get on-the-ground practice. Program participants will receive full support in meeting their $750 fundraising goal throughout our training program and beginning as soon as they are accepted to the class. 

Who You Are: Ideal Applicants for the Signature Program

As Emerge Signature Programs are designed for those who are running for office, or planning to run for office in the next 2 – 3 election cycles. We seek leaders who want to run for office, and who reflect their communities, with a proven track record of community engagement, public service, and leadership.

Specifically, ideal applicants for the Signature Training Program are those who: 

Reflect their communities

At Emerge, we center our work on women of the New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous women, women of color, LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women. In building a reflective democracy, we know the value of developing leaders who have the passion and skills to bring their community’s voice to the decision-making table.

Ideal applicants have a demonstrated track record of advocating for and on behalf of their communities. They possess a deep understanding of their communities, have passion, and a plan to empower their communities in elected office.

Have established a proven track record 

Emerge is a candidate training program and our cohort members are already  leaders in their community. They demonstrate a desire to learn, grow and build their skills and network for the specific goal of running a successful campaign for elected office. To this end, ideal applicants have a proven track record- whether this be in the form of community engagement, advocacy, public service and/or leadership positions within their families, communities, professional circles and social networks.

Examples include: caretakers, parents, CEO of their households, small business owners, members of parent teacher organizations, board members, neighborhood association leaders, volunteering to run an issue campaign,  advocating on behalf of a group or community, serving on municipal committees or commissions, leading a local or statewide nonprofit board, super volunteer on other campaigns, managing a business, etc.

Have the core attributes necessary to serve as a successful public servant.

At Emerge, we believe that elected leaders are public servants and must build and develop the core attributes necessary to serve successfully. These include: adaptability and resilience, the ability to navigate adversity, and an openness to correction and redirection. Leadership is more than the title or position one holds and we believe these attributes are ones that set leaders apart.

Are aligned with Emerge’s vision, mission and core values.

We are an organization driven by our vision and mission, and we are deeply committed to our core values. This is why every person within the Emerge organization – from our employees, board members, and alum to our volunteers, partners and current program members – are expected to commit to them via our Emerge Code of Conduct.

Ideal applicants are aligned with Emerge’s vision, mission and core values, and most importantly, are committed to representing these values as a potential program member and future alum.

Our vision, mission and core values are as follows: 

Vision

Emerge’s vision is to change the face of power, politics and leadership in this country in order to have policies that are responsive to all.

Mission 

Emerge’s mission is to increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training and providing a powerful network.

Core Values

Emerge Alum Status 

Program members who complete a National Signature Program will be considered an Emerge alum and will have access to alum resources, such as Emerge continuing education training and national networking opportunities.

Apply today!

Questions? Email Executive Director Maggie Chambers at maggie@emergega.org.