Institute for Citizens & Scholars Launches “Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness”
A $2 Million Philanthropic Grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York Will Fund Program to Develop Young Civic Leaders Improving Their Communities
February 3, 2025
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Media Contact: communications@citizensandscholars.org
Princeton, NJ (February 3, 2025) — The Institute for Citizens & Scholars has launched the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness, a national grant initiative that will award up to $7,500 to 100 teams of young civic changemakers—500 leaders aged 14–24 across the United States—empowering them to implement impactful community projects.
The program is funded through a $2,050,000 grant from the philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York. Youth teams will receive grants to support year-long initiatives aimed at addressing community challenges they have identified. “Gen Z is ready to lead, but the places where they learn, work, and live aren’t fully equipped to help them navigate divisive issues in their communities,” said Rajiv Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. “Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness will provide young people with the support they need to create real-time change in their communities while preparing them to be lifelong civic leaders.”
In addition to funding, grantees will receive regular coaching and mentorship from experienced community leaders to strengthen their projects and develop essential civic skills. They will also participate in communities of practice, where they will engage in constructive conversations across ideological differences, discuss project implementation challenges, and network with peers. As part of the program, grantees will gain membership in the Institute for Citizens & Scholars’ network, which includes 27,000 fellows across education, policy, and the private sectors
“We are delighted to support the Institute for Citizens & Scholars in bringing young people from a wide range of backgrounds together to make meaningful contributions to their communities,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie. “We believe that programs such as Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness will help to mobilize the innate idealism of young people and inculcate an appreciation of our democracy which will in turn reduce the corrosive effect of political polarization.”
“Young people bring an important perspective to address challenges and identify opportunities in their communities,” said LaVerne Evans Srinivasan, vice president of Carnegie’s National Program and program director of Education. “This initiative centers youth voice, providing the next generation with the support and tools to turn their ideas into meaningful action. Carnegie Corporation of New York is proud to support these emerging leaders dedicated to strengthening their communities and advancing our democracy.”
Applications open on February 3 and close on May 28, 2025. Selected teams will be notified by June 30, 2025. Prospective grantees can find full eligibility details and submit their application at https://citizensandscholars.org/carnegie-young-leaders-for-civic-preparedness.
The launch of Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness builds on the success of a multi-year pilot program, which invested over $2 million to support hundreds of young civic leaders through funding, mentorship, and resources. The youth leaders in the pilot shaped state policies, expanded access to essential services, and drove voter engagement. Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness builds on the success of the pilot, now formalized with the goal of significantly increasing the number of changemakers nationwide. Designed for emerging civic leaders aged 14–24, the program will prepare and place participants across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
More information on Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness can be found at https://citizensandscholars.org/carnegie-young-leaders-for-civic-preparedness.
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About the Institute for Citizens & Scholars
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars (citizensandscholars.org) cultivates talent, ideas, and networks that develop young people as effective, lifelong citizens. By uniting the left, right, and center, we create breakthrough solutions to strengthen civic engagement across the country. We form strategic partnerships with a diverse group of young people, scholars, education leaders, and civic and business leaders—including the 27,000 world-leading fellows in our network. Together, we’re on a mission to ensure that Americans everywhere are civically well-informed, productively engaged, and committed to democracy.
About Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York (Carnegie.org) was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. Today the foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that Carnegie considered most important: education, democracy, and peace.
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