Research shows time and time again that early investments are crucial to increasing the number of people who vote in an election. This is especially true for young and new voters. It requires several authentic conversations to build relationships with new voters and to talk to voters about the agency the next generation has to impact the elections.

Ahead of the crucial 2022 elections, Blue Future is thrilled to make early investments in youth organizing nationwide.

Blue Future’s 2022 Youth Power Fund is a grant and fellowship opportunity for progressive student organizers and local youth-led organizations. The goal of the Fund is to support local youth-led organizations and student organizers with direct funding and community organizing training to unleash youth voter engagement in key Congressional districts and competitive Senate states for the 2022 election.

WHO CAN APPLY?

We’re looking for young people who are connected to youth-led organizations in their community or at their school. Any young person (ages 16-25) who supports progressive values and is ready to organize to help progressives win in 2022 is invited to apply! Youth-led organizations are also welcome to apply as an entity. 

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

We have a 3-step, rolling, application process:

1. Young people / youth-led organizations are invited to submit a Project Summary by February 27, 2022, at 11:59 pm PST through this link: bit.ly/2022YouthPowerFund. 
2. As applications are submitted, we will invite applicants to interview with our team between February 14-March 4. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so folks are encouraged to apply as soon as possible! 
3. We will accept our first round of grantees on March 8 and then work closely with them to support their local organizing through May 9, with an intention of providing ongoing funding through the 2022 election. 

HOW MUCH FUNDING CAN I RECEIVE?

We can fund up to $5,000 dollars per organization/school/Congressional district. 

Our vision is to pay up to a $1,500 stipend to compensate student organizers for the Spring semester, and up to $3,500 will be allocated for volunteer mobilization support including:

• stipends for volunteers 
• training costs
• transportation for door-to-door canvassing
• food/snacks at weekly phone and text banks
• promotional materials

However, we trust local, youth organizers to lead because you know what works best for your community. We are open to alternative budget proposals. Budgets are a key component of the Project Summary application. 

We look forward to reviewing your application! 

Questions? Send an email to our Co-Executive Director, Nick, at nick@ourbluefuture.us.