Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness
Carnegie Young Leaders empowers young people, ages 14–24, to create bold, fresh civic solutions in their own communities. With funding, coaching, and a national peer network, we help them turn their ideas into lasting impact.
INTRODUCTION
Young people are already leading change. Want in?
Carnegie Young Leaders brings together 100 youth-led teams each year, giving each up to $7,500 and a full year of support to take on a community challenge they’ve identified.
But it’s bigger than any one project or neighborhood. Along the way, Fellows develop three essential civic skills: having productive conversations, using credible information and collaborating to create solutions.
These skills go with them—into their homes, schools, and workplaces. They show others how to build trust, understand each other, and solve problems together even when they disagree.
The Challenge
We’re living in a time of real division. Our country needs young people ready to work with others and take action.
The Fellows
We bring together 500 young people ages 14–24 from across the nation and give them the support to launch community projects.
The Impact
Fellows join a growing movement of young people modeling the kind of civic leadership that moves our country forward.
WHY APPLY?
Join a nationwide movement of young people
Backed by an initial $2.05M investment from Carnegie Corporation of New York, the inaugural class of 500 Carnegie Young Leaders is tackling urgent issues from disaster recovery to teen mental health.
- Led by teams of five so you can do it with friends and shape the work together.
- Rooted in your lived experience and the issues your community cares about most.
- Build national connections with other young people from every kind of place — red or blue, big city or small town.
- Open to all whether you’re a new or experienced changemaker.
- Have real impact on urgent challenges like misinformation, voting, public health, and hunger.
- Supported by a $7.5K stipend that values your team’s time plus personalized coaching, hands-on learning, and a Community of Practice where you share ideas together.
Big change starts with a small question: What can I do?
By the Numbers
Who can apply?
Teens and young adults, 14–24, from diverse racial and geographic communities—especially where civic opportunities are hardest to come by.
What we’re looking for
Proposal ideas can cover anything from climate and community health to education, immigration and economic opportunity. Projects should aim to reach at least 75 people in person or 300 online. We’ll prioritize projects that include voter education or help people engage in local elections.
Meet Karrington Harried
Karrington Harried, a Carnegie Young Leader, pairs 50 students and 50 seniors across two retirement homes in Laurel, MD to build friendships across generations.
“Each connection may look small—a game of cards, a shared story, a walk outside—but the impact is profound. These visits chip away at loneliness, strengthen mental health, and remind both generations that they matter and belong. As these relationships grow, our community will begin to look different—less isolation and more consideration.”
Karrington Harried
Young Leader
Meet Athan Biss
Athan Biss is a high school teacher from Havertown, PA and Carnegie Young Leaders coach for five teams, helping them navigate challenges, work with community members, and meet their goals.
“I’m always just so impressed they're taking such ownership of their communities. I think that's really alive in this generation of young people. They don't go for easy solutions. They really go big. That's something that I think is really important to nurture.”
Athan Biss
Community Leader
Meet Patricia Mathu
Patricia Mathu is a Carnegie Young Leader who hosts community dinners in rural IL to bring together different political perspectives on agriculture and food systems.
“It’s nice to be connected to other young leaders. Our country is really big and wide and so it’s helpful to meet with all these different youths that have pulses on really different community things and to learn from each other.”
Patricia Mathu
Youth Civic Leader
Frequently Asked Questions
What does participation look like?
The Fellowship begins with an in-person kickoff and continues with a year-long curriculum and virtual Community of Practice sessions where participants connect and learn from one another. These bi-monthly meetings create space for new ideas to surface, grow, and be tested.
C&S offers coaching and mentoring with regular check-ins to help teams hit their project milestones. Our coaches—many of them former Fellows—are there to listen, troubleshoot, and cheer teams on.
What do young people gain by participating?
This program helps young people make a difference right now, right where they are. Here’s what they learn how to do:
- Solve real community problems
- Practice teamwork
- Break down long-standing issues
- Work with community members
- Identify local strengths and resources
- Make actionable plans
- Speak up for change
What’s your organization’s history of supporting youth leaders?
Carnegie Young Leaders builds on the success of a past multi-year youth fellowship pilot program, which invested over $2 million to support community projects. These youth leaders are shaping state policies, expanding access to essential services and driving voter engagement.
How can I learn more or get in touch?
Learn more about Carnegie Young Leaders by emailing civiceducation@citizensandscholars.org.
Not ready to apply, but interested in learning more?
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