Deadline: April 29, 2022
Applications are open for the Civic Spring Fellowship National Program 2022. The Civic Spring Fellowship National program is an opportunity for youth-driven organizations across the U.S. to lead a community project this summer.
By focusing on community projects as Civic Spring Fellows, young people are building skills to continue engaging and driving meaningful change for the long term.
Grants
- Projects may request up to $25,000 for youth-driven projects addressing a local need related to environmental justice, mental health, 2022 elections, or COVID-19.
Eligibility
Applications for the National Program are open to youth-driven and/or youth-focused organizations or organizational partnerships. The primary applicant must be part of a 501(c)3 organization.
Applicants must be one of the following:
- A youth-driven organization;
- An organization in direct partnership with a youth-driven organization;
- A community-based organization working with young people to complete the CSF project proposal that has clear plans to prioritize youth in project management and leadership;
- A national organization applying in partnership with a local youth-driven organization or group that will lead the project in their community;
- A partnership of local organizations that can facilitate a youth-driven project.
Expectation
Civic Spring Fellowship National applicants will identify 8-12 young people (and 2-3 adult practitioners if applicable) to serve as CSF National Fellows. Youth Fellows who fully participates in the 10-week fellowship – including meeting expectations outlined below – will receive a certificate of completion and will be admitted to the Civic Spring National Network including CSF fellows as well as civic leaders, practitioners, and others from around the country leading and working in civic spaces.
Fellow organizations are expected to:
- Center young people as leaders in the project concept, proposal, and implementation
- Compensate youth fellows for their time
Fellows are expected to:
- Help with and/or complete the project proposal
- Attend the 2022 Civic Spring Fellowship Launch (week of June 6)
- Attend at least 8 of 10 weekly 75-min sessions (virtual)
- Keep a time log of hours and progress
- Help with and/or complete final report
- Progress report/project assessment (1 per Fellow)
- Funding report
- 1–2-minute video
- Complete periodic surveys with respect to the project (quarterly for years 1-2, and annually for years 3-5)
Fellows and fellow organizations can expect the following:
- Better understanding of how to identify and address community needs
- Increased civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions
- Membership in a growing national network of young people working in civic spaces
- Strategies for engaging people with different opinions, beliefs, lived experiences, etc.
- Connections to changemakers, leaders, community members, professionals, and organizations in your community and beyond
Application
Applications are due by April 29. Late applications will not be considered.
For more information, visit Civic Spring Fellowship.
