Clean Air is Bringing the Midwest Academy to Buffalo January 2026!

We are thrilled to share that Clean Air is bringing the Midwest Academy to Buffalo January 20-24, 2026!

The Midwest Academy is a 50 year old training school for community organizers based in Chicago, and we utilize the Midwest framework in our campaigns. Learn more about Midwest here.

From January 20-23, Midwest will lead 30 organizers from WNY in the full professional training, and on Saturday January 24 those organizers will then lead a one-day training on the model for the general public. We anticipate the Saturday training will be for ~100.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, not only is this professional certification training FREE for participants (ordinarily $660-1570 depending on organization budget plus housing/travel), but we also have stipends available for up to three grassroots volunteer organizers who are interested in pursuing organizing as a full time career! Food and support services like interpretation and babysitting are also included.

Participants in the full training need to commit to all four days of the course as well as to lead a break-out group on Saturday the 24th. Seats are limited, so the cohort is limited to three people per organization and is application-based.

If you would like to participate in the full training, please submit your application by October 31 here – https://actionnetwork.org/forms/midwest-academy-buffalo-hub-training-application/

Whether or not you plan to participate in the full course, everyone should mark Saturday January 24, 2026 on your calendar now! The registration page for that date will be published in early December after the full training cohort is selected.