NGP VAN Organizing Academy FAQs

About the Training

• Where will the Organizing Academy be held? Crowne Plaza in Plainsboro, NJ 
   
• When is this training taking place? Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2, 2026 
   
• Who is this training for? Organizing Academy is designed for early-career organizers, data staff, and organizers interested in transitioning into technical and data roles. Some prior VAN experience is recommended but not required. 
   
• What will I learn? 
  • Learn how VAN has shaped past campaigns, core organizing principles, and how to get the most out of our tools 
  • Hear from organizing and data staff from across the campaign world 
  • Explore career paths in organizing and data 
  • Get a first look at new NGP VAN features and provide feedback to shape future developments
     
• What if I don’t currently have access to VAN, MiniVAN, EveryAction, and Mobilize? No problem! We’ll get you set up with any tools needed for the training. 
   
• What do I need to bring with me? Please bring a laptop if you have one for any hands-on activities during the training. You may also want to bring a professional outfit if you’d like a headshot taken and a copy of your most recent resume for feedback.
   

Applying

• When is the registration deadline? Registration will close on Friday, November 13^th. 
   
• How will applicants be selected to attend? We review each applicant’s short-answer responses, looking for motivation to grow as an organizer, interest in future campaign work, and a willingness to learn. Spots are limited, so we can’t accept everyone who applies. Priority will be given to early-career organizers who live or work in or around New Jersey. We’ll notify all applicants by November 19^th.  
   
• What if I have to cancel? If you can no longer attend, please email [email protected] as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to another organizer. Only commit if you’re confident you can make it. 
   
• Can I share the invite? Yes, please share the application link with anyone who might be interested! 
  

Cost and Travel

• What can I expect in terms of cost? Is financial aid available? Attending is free, and we will provide breakfast and lunch both days. Travel and lodging are your responsibility, but limited funding is available for organizers who couldn’t otherwise attend. To be considered, check the financial aid box on the application and we’ll follow up with details. Aid recipients must commit to attending both full days. 
   
• Will you book my hotel and travel? Please wait to book your hotel room until you’ve been selected. Once you’re confirmed, you’re responsible for your own travel and lodging.  
   
• How can I get to the training location? The training is at the Crowne Plaza Princeton Conference Center, 900 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, about 4 miles from downtown Princeton. 
  • By train: Take Amtrak or NJ Transit to Princeton Junction Station, about a 13-minute drive from the hotel. From there, take a rideshare or call the hotel at 609-936-4200 to ask about its free weekday shuttle. 
  • By air: Newark Liberty (EWR) is about 45-50 minutes by car. Trenton-Mercer (TTN) is about 25 minutes. Philadelphia (PHL) is about an hour. The hotel doesn’t run an airport shuttle, so plan on rideshare, car rental, or train plus rideshare. 
  • By car: Take US-1 to Scudders Mill Road. Free parking is available on site. 

At the Event

• I have accessibility needs to attend the training. How do I make a request for accommodation? Selected attendees will receive a form to share accessibility needs, and we’ll work with you to meet them. Requesting an accommodation does not affect your selection. If you’d like to talk before applying, email [email protected]. 
   
• Is the venue accessible? The Crowne Plaza Princeton – Conference Center provides ADA‑compliant guest rooms, accessible parking, ADA‑compliant elevators, ramps, and 37 accessible meeting/ballroom spaces.
   
• What if I have dietary restrictions?  Selected applicants will receive a confirmation form and will be able to submit their dietary needs ahead of time. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days, and attendees are responsible for their dinners. 
   
• Do I need to be present for both full days of training to attend? We strongly encourage attending both days to get the most out of the content. Financial aid recipients are required to attend both full days. 
   
• Is childcare provided? Childcare isn’t provided. If that’s a barrier to attending, email us at [email protected] and we’ll see what we can do. 
   
• Will attendees be photographed? This event will be photographed and the photos may be used in NGP VAN materials. If you’d prefer not to be photographed, or this is a concern for attending, email [email protected] and we’ll make arrangements. 
   
• How will headshots and resumes work? We will be creating a sign-up form for headshot time blocks during the training, and we will also have resume workshop sessions built into the schedule. Please bring your most recent resume to review. 
  

After the Event

• Will there be additional academies in the future? Yes, we plan on hosting more NGP VAN Organizing Academies in the future in other areas of the country starting in 2027. 
   
• How do I submit session and event feedback? We will have a feedback form at the end of each day to fill out. We will review and use it to iterate on future trainings. 
   
• Will sessions be recorded? We won’t record or stream the sessions. We may share select materials afterward, at the training team’s discretion. 
   
• Is there any ongoing training or follow up as a cohort after the academy? After the academy, we’ll reach out about upcoming opportunities with the NGP VAN team. Use the end-of-training feedback form to tell us how you’d like to stay in touch. You can sign up for our ongoing training opportunities on Mobilize and learn more through our training newsletter.
  

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any additional questions!