How much will it cost

The real value of the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program equates to more than $42,000 per person, but most of the program's cost is underwritten by NeighborWorks America and generous support from our sponsors. This means that participants pay a program fee of $7,800 to $16,600 depending on their organization's operating budget (see fee structure below) — that's subsidizing 60-80% of the actual cost of the program.

The tuition can be paid in full at the beginning or in two installments early in the program—see below for more details.  The program tuition that you pay covers your one-on-one executive coaching throughout the entire program, the curriculum led by Harvard, other teaching and sessions by guests, facilitation of your peer group, reading materials, room and board during the two weeks at Harvard and at the Chicago meeting, two group meals in restaurants with your peer group (the first week of the program and the night before the Chicago meeting) and more. 

• In addition to your time and commitment, you will also be responsible for direct costs associated with the program. Please be aware that, as noted in the application materials, you are responsible for:
  • Travel and travel-related costs: 
    • There will be approximately 6 trips for which participants are responsible: 
      • 2 round-trips to Harvard University; 
      • 1 meeting in Chicago in May; 
      • 2-3 meetings with your peer group at a location selected by the group and coach together—could be anywhere in the country.
  • Some incidental expenses (taxis, tips, etc.)
  • Some meals
  • Other (souvenirs, etc.)

10% Savings are reflected below

Small Organizations

Core operating budget of less than $750,000  Tuition: $7,800

Intermediate Sized Organizations

Core operating budget of $750,000 to $2 million  Tuition: $12,000

Large Organizations

Core operating budget of more than $2 million Tuition: $16,600

75% of the total is due by Friday, Mar. 21, 2025 (before you begin the program); the remainder is due by Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2025.

In a very real and explicit sense, the "price" of your participation is the time, effort, work and commitment you bring to the challenge you define. We will expect you to devote a substantial amount of energy and thought to really solving your challenge and mining this opportunity. In exchange for the substantial real costs we are subsidizing, we demand that you perform against this challenge and that you also provide us and future participants with feedback on your experience.

For additional information about Achieving Excellence, call 800-438-5547 or 202-760-4000, or e-mail [email protected].