Overview

When you are managing a larger budget, the challenge isn’t just literal capacity—it’s the feeling of being at capacity. This cohort is designed for leaders who have built stable foundations, navigated complex budgeting, and are now asking:

  1. How do we use finance as strategic planning?
  2. How can our financial strength anchor a more resilient cultural community? 

Now more than ever, leading an organization requires more than just solid foundational budgeting and steady cash flow. It requires financial leadership: the ability to turn data into a narrative, translate strategy into budgeting, and navigate uncertainty with vision and creativity. 

The Strategy and Storytelling Arts Finance Leadership Network is a two-part cohort designed to pair deep, cohort-based learning, with community investment at the highest level. 

Phase 1: Learning. Engage with new tools and mindsets geared toward financial leadership, long-term vision, and navigating uncertainty.

Phase  2: Implementation. Through grant supported community-based projects, the cohort will implement skills and strategies learned in Part 1 and engage in the broader arts ecosystem, embedding them as organizational visionaries.

We are thrilled to partner once again with leadership coach and financial strategist Yesenia Sanchez, now representing Soleil Coaching, to guide this cohort through a practical, mindset-shifting experience.

This program is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of our funding partners: Gerbode Foundation, the County of Santa Clara, the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, and Applied Materials.

Apply Now

Schedule

PHASE 1: Learning 

This part comprises 4 learning sessions, 1:1 coaching, and cohort engagement. 

PHASE 2

Phase 2 comprises individualized community based projects. A shared pool of $10,000 will be used to support the time and energy of implementing these activities. 

Activities could include: peer mentorship, workshop leadership, cohort convening. These will be determined in collaboration with SVCREATES Director of Programs, Sinjin Jones.

Timeline: Spring 2027

Is This Right For You?

This cohort is tailored for Executive Directors, Managing Directors, CFOs, and board members of organizations with budgets of $500k and above who want to move from reactive budgeting to proactive, visionary financial leadership and community engagement.

Finance isn't just about survival—it's the foundation of your creativity. Come ready to practice, vision, and build a resilient framework for what's possible.

  • Are you ready and have the capacity to move from financial stability to financial leadership?
  • Are you interested in supporting the vision for a more vibrant arts ecosystem beyond your organization?
  • Are you or someone from your organization able to commit to BOTH Phase 1 and Phase 2?

If so, please APPLY NOW.

Applications are due by Friday, September 4, 2026