Organization Directory

18by Vote is a nonpartisan, youth-led organization dedicated to helping young and rising voters understand how, when, and why to vote. Focused on empowering 16, 17, and 18-year-olds, it aims to ensure equitable access to civic participation. Through localized voter registration campaigns, tech initiatives like targeted text banking, and partnerships with youth influencers, 18by Vote fosters a culture of sustainable youth civic action and leadership.

The Bill of Rights Institute (BRI), established in 1999, provides free educational materials (including lessons, essays, and videos) that are centered around U.S. history and, simultaneously, emphasize the principles of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Made for students and teachers nationwide, their resources are created with an ultimate objective of enhancing understanding of American civics and encouraging active civic engagement.

Bronx Connect works toward ensuring the success of court-involved youth, centrally by advocating for social services for neighborhoods harmed by incarceration, and the elimination of structural barriers to higher education, housing, employment and civic participation for people with criminal convictions. It’s mentorship program, as well as the integral role is has played in citywide initiatives such as the #CLOSErikers campaign and the NYC Department of Corrections SMART network make it a central criminal justice organization in the city.

The Citizens' Committee for Children of New York (CCC) works to ensure that all children in New York City are healthy, housed, educated, and safe. In efforts to combat commonly faced issues by children in the city (like poverty, high infant mortality rates, and low literacy rates) CCC conducts research and gathers data, which they leverage in legislative settings and holds trainings and campaigns aimed at raising visibility surrounding their focus issues.

DemocraShe works to inspire women to run for elected office, through a trio of online, stipended programs that it offers to female-identifying high school students. The programs, (which involve education surrounding advocacy and legislation and presentations from female guest speakers) are centered around building self-confidence, nurturing ambition, and practicing self-advocacy, which are said to be instrumental in making politics feel accessible.

DemocracyReady NY is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to preparing all New York students for civic participation. Its primary focuses lie in increasing classroom discussion of controversial political topics in NY schools, developing strategies for improving civic learning in the early grades, and advancing access to media literacy education for all students throughout the state. Hosting a student-written blog, conducting research and creating proposals, and hosting free webinars are all mechanisms utilized in progressing toward these goals.

DoSomething.org is a global youth organization that empowers young people to drive social change. With a focus on equity, justice, climate sustainability, and well-being, DoSomething provides educational resources and action-oriented campaigns. Their initiatives include voter registration drives, community service projects, and advocacy for uncensored literature. By connecting young activists and offering leadership opportunities, DoSomething aims to build a diverse and engaged generation of changemakers.

Dominicanos USA (DUSA) has two seminal programs – a Youth Ambassador Program and a free citizenship assistance clinic – engaging thousands of Latino individuals with bilingual information critical to their civic participation. DUSA’s newest program, DUSA Tech, and DUSA Codes create life-changing technology experiences that encourage students to shape their future while teaching the importance of civic engagement.

FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) is committed to defending freedoms of expression on college campuses, honing in on issues like freedom of speech and of assembly, academic freedom, and Title IX rights. Their work in providing legal support in relevant cases, creating legislative policy reports, and reforming policies and speech codes of colleges makes them a leader in their field.

Generation Citizen is an organization committed to revolutionizing civics education through an equity-centered approach that empowers young people by engaging them in real-world, experiential learning within their communities. Founded in 2008 by students at Brown University, Generation Citizen has grown to facilitate action civics education where students can apply civic knowledge to address community issues directly. The organization supports this mission by working closely with middle and high schools to implement project-based civics curriculums and also participates actively in research and advocacy to promote impactful civic education nationwide. Additionally, Generation Citizen hosts Civics Day, an event where students present their civics projects, similar to a science fair but focused on civics, showcasing their solutions to local issues.

IntegrateNYC seeks to make racial reforms in New York City’s public school system (specifically relating to the demographics of staff being hired, diversity in individual schools, approaches to security in schools, etc.) through fundraising efforts and by placing students in environments where they can have influence, such as on district and youth councils.

The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) works to find commonality between New York City’s varying faith communities and promote religious diversity in the city. ICNY also works to provide civic education to the city’s religious leaders by organizing workshops between them and community organizers, local government officials, and legal teams. Previously, ICNY has also, relatedly, worked on combatting social issues within religious communities, such as the mental health crisis during the coronavirus pandemic.

ICI partners high school and college aged students with adult researchers from CUNY SPS to collect data on local youth policy issues, through methods like surveys, focus groups and interviews. The organization also works with students to take further steps of pushing for policy changes.

Mikva Challenge is a youth empowerment organization founded in 1997, focused on developing young people into informed, empowered, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society. The organization's core belief is that civic and political life is stronger when youth participate and help shape their destinies, advocating for a more inclusive democracy that values youth voice. Mikva Challenge operates across various locations, providing youth with the opportunities to engage in democracy through hands-on programs that involve them in real-life democratic activities. These programs include election and campaign experiences, action civics classrooms, and youth-led advocacy, all aimed at fostering an informed, active, and civically engaged youth population.

The NYC Commission on Human Rights' Youth for Equity and Solidarity (YES) Council is an initiative that facilitates programs and workshops designed to support NYC youth in developing leadership and communication skills, thinking critically about local human rights issues and creating action plans to address them. Young leaders who are on the council play an instrumental role in the planning and outreach surrounding said programs.

NYC Votes is an initiative by the New York City Campaign Finance Board that focuses on enhancing voter participation and ensuring that elections are fair, inclusive, and open. The organization educates voters, facilitates voter registration, and offers extensive information on how to vote, covering early voting, absentee voting, and voting on Election Day. NYC Votes collaborates with local organizations to host voter education campaigns and registration drives. It also provides resources to support voters with disabilities, ensuring that accessible voting options are available. This effort helps ensure that all New Yorkers are well-informed about their voting rights and the electoral process, promoting effective participation in city, state, and federal elections.

The NYCLU (the New York branch of the American Civil Liberties Union) works to promote and advance civil liberties and civil rights of New Yorkers, including members of marginalized groups like LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and prisoners. While public education and advocacy are employed in these efforts, the organization is most known for its use of strategic litigation to set legal precedents, which it has accomplished in areas ranging from free speech and religious freedom to privacy rights and due process.

New Voters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing high school students across the United States to register to vote, in hopes of further engaging the country’s youth in the democratic process. The organization specifically focuses on empowering young people by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to organize voter registration drives at their schools.

The New York Public Library (NYPL), established over 125 years ago, is the nation's largest public library system, consisting of four major research libraries and 88 branch libraries across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. It offers a vast range of free resources, including books, digital collections, and educational programs, and is renowned for its comprehensive research facilities housed in the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. This flagship location is famous for its significant collections in the humanities and social sciences and for hosting various public events and exhibitions.

The New-York Historical Society, established in 1804, is recognized as New York City's first museum. It's dedicated to exploring and presenting the rich historical narratives and artistic heritage of the United States, with a particular focus on New York's unique story. The society operates as both a museum and a library, offering a range of exhibitions, public programs, and research opportunities that showcase American history's dynamic influence on today's world. It holds a world-class collection that includes American art, historical documents, and other significant artifacts that span several centuries. The society's programming and resources aim to engage the public in thoughtful reflection and deeper understanding of history's impact.

Stemming from the belief that the journalism and broader media landscape needs more young, diverse journalists, PBS New Hour has created Student Reporting Labs, a hands-on student journalism training program. In pursuit of its goals, Student Reporting Labs hosts training workshops for teachers and hosts a fellowship program dedicated to connecting students to local news mentors to flex their skills. The labs also host a student-run podcast, present student-produced stories on the PBS NewsHour and have a curriculum with free lessons on their website, which aspiring student journalists can access for free.

PEN America is an organization that, stemming from a belief in the power of creating literature, conveying information and ideas, and accessing the views of others, is dedicated to ensuring freedom of expression for writing professionals (including novelists, playwrights, editors, etc.). Its work includes facilitating campaigns on policy issues and on behalf of individual writers under threat, hosting year-round festivals and events, conducting research, and more.

The Peer Defense Project offers free legal services and education surrounding the law to young people, in hopes of supporting them in utilizing the law and pursuing legal action as a means of combating the systemic injustices they engage with on a daily basis. Also stemming from the work that The Peer Defense Project does is the empowerment of and the increase in the advocacy potential of the youth they engage with.

Press Pass works to start and sustain successful school newspaper programs across New York City Public Schools, in hopes of creating a culture of appreciation for journalism and student voice. Through its programs in educating teachers on starting and advising newspapers and in preparing students to take on leadership positions, as well as additional guest speaker and field trip opportunities, students and faculty are supported in these endeavors.

The Sadie Nash Leadership Project (SNLP) seeks to empower young women and gender-expansive youth of color by offering them leadership skills and social justice education. The programs they host, in efforts to achieve this goal, focus on themes like identity, power, privilege, and community activism and leave attendees with a lifelong commitment to social justice and feminism.

The Service Learning Project works with elementary, middle, and high school-aged youth in New York City, to promote civic engagement and empower students to create change. Its programs, which occur in school, after-school, and virtually, adhere to a formula in which students select a social issue which they are passionate about, become experts on it through research, and implement a plan to advocate for a solution to it. Creating educational guides, conducting surveys and petitions, and collaborating with local communities, have all been elements of these plans.

Student Leadership Network supports young people growing up in diverse underserved communities to gain access to higher education, helping them fulfill their dreams. Through our work in college access and success and girls’ and gender-expansive youth education, we are working towards a future without barriers to the educational opportunities all students deserve.

Teens Take Charge (TTC) is a youth-led initiative in New York City focused on addressing and rectifying educational inequities and promoting systemic change within the public school system. The organization actively challenges the racially and economically discriminatory practices found in school admissions processes that they argue sustain segregation. Their efforts include campaigning against selective admission tests and advocating for integrated and equitable education for all students. Additionally, TTC has been instrumental in advocating for the restoration of the Summer Youth Employment Program, highlighting the group's broader commitment to social justice issues impacting young people. Their campaigns not only seek to reform policies but also aim to amplify student voices in the decision-making processes affecting their education and future.

The Bell provides New York City students with opportunities to become involved in the journalism field, prioritizing students from populations that are underrepresented in the profession. Its internship programs, which are for public high school students, train students in audio journalism and podcasting. Student-led reporting produced by The Bell has cast light on a range of educational inequities and sparked citywide advocacy efforts. Many of its alumni go on to pursue journalism opportunities in college.

The Nation conducts initiatives focused on the training, development, and education of students to become the next generation of journalists, in hopes of ensuring the success of independent journalism. These initiatives include, but are not limited to, its magazine which is written by students, its fellowship program, and its in-classroom modules.

YVote is a youth-led civic engagement organization aimed at empowering young people to translate their passions into actionable civic involvement. By offering exposure to social issues and wisdom from guest speakers in associated fields, its programs (which engage high school students across New York City’s five boroughs) foster skills in advocacy, voter engagement, and community organizing.

The Youth Power Coalition is dedicated to building an intergenerational movement that focuses on youth-led collective impact. This movement is inclusive of all ages, from young people to elders, emphasizing community-led initiatives that address systemic issues through collective action. Their efforts span a range of activities, including advocacy, community building, and leadership development, all aimed at empowering young people to lead social change. They organize convenings that bring together diverse youth-led organizations to collaborate and strengthen their collective efforts towards creating a more equitable society. Additionally, the Youth Power Coalition fights for youth participation in local governance, such as community boards and advocates for lowering the voting age to better represent youth interests in political processes.

The Youth Power Project aims to break down barriers between lawmakers and youth by directly centering the stories and voices of young people in policy making at the local, state, and federal level.

YouthBridge-NY trains young people to meet the challenges of existing in the uniquely diverse place that is New York City, through a two-year fellowship organized for high school students. During the program, students are engaged in workshops, site visits, lectures, and experiential learning opportunities, equipping them to work collaboratively to enrich their neighborhoods and advance the City as a whole.

iCivics is working to transform the approach taken to K-12 civic education across the U.S. Stemming from the initial work of its founder, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’connor, iCivics develops digital lesson plans and games to be utilized both in in-person and virtual learning environments, holds student fellowships, and works in the legislative sector to push for change.