Deadline: April 17, 2026

The Conrad Prebys Foundation has launched the Rooted and Rising: Youth Leaders Grant initiative, aimed at strengthening civic participation by investing in youth leadership programs across San Diego County. The initiative recognises that a healthy democracy depends on active engagement—yet many young people are still positioned as passive recipients rather than active contributors to change.

This funding opportunity seeks to shift that narrative by supporting programs that equip young people with the skills, confidence, and platforms needed to engage meaningfully in civic life.

About the Youth Leaders Grant 2026

The Rooted and Rising initiative is designed to support programs that combine leadership development with real-world civic engagement. By focusing on middle and high school-aged youth, the program aims to nurture a generation capable of shaping more inclusive and equitable communities.

The foundation highlights that young people already bring creativity, resilience, and a strong desire to contribute. However, access to structured civic engagement opportunities remains uneven. Through this initiative, the foundation aims to bridge that gap and position youth as active partners in community problem-solving.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition that early exposure to civic processes—such as dialogue, community organising, and collaborative decision-making—can significantly shape long-term democratic participation. Programs that engage youth at this stage not only build individual confidence but also strengthen collective capacity within communities, ensuring that future leaders are better equipped to address complex social challenges.

Key Focus Areas

Funded programs must integrate skill-building with practical experience. This includes:

Leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving training
Experiential learning tied to real community challenges such as climate resilience, arts and culture, health, and democratic participation
Opportunities for youth to engage in storytelling, content creation, and visible leadership roles
Strong mentorship networks connecting youth with civic leaders and career pathways

A central requirement is that all programs culminate in an action project, where participants actively contribute to solving real community issues.

Funding Details

Grant Amount: Up to $150,000 per award
Total Funding Pool: $2.5 million
Number of Grants: Approximately 15–20
Grant Duration: July 2026 to December 2027 (18 months)
Funding Type: Programmatic

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, fiscally sponsored organisation, or Tribal entity
Operate in and/or serve San Diego County
Focus on middle and/or high school-aged youth
Deliver programs centred on leadership development, civic engagement, and community problem-solving
Be an existing program that is expanding or strengthening its impact

Programs must also demonstrate ongoing engagement rather than one-time activities and show clear outcomes such as participant numbers, skill development, and types of civic engagement activities.

Program Expectations

Proposals should include measurable outcomes and clearly defined program goals. Applicants are encouraged to highlight:

Youth participation and leadership growth
Civic engagement activities such as volunteering, advisory councils, or peer-led initiatives
Use of youth-generated content like videos or social media storytelling
Inclusion of diverse perspectives and community-informed approaches

Preference will be given to programs that involve youth as co-designers or decision-makers and demonstrate strong community impact through structured frameworks or learning models.

Application Process and Timeline

Application Opens: March 9, 2026
Office Hours: March 17 – April 16, 2026
Application Deadline: April 17, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Notification of Results: Late May to early June 2026
Grant Period: July 2026 – December 2027

Applicants must register on the foundation’s grant portal before applying. Registration approval may take 2–3 days, so early preparation is recommended.

Why This Matters

By investing in youth leadership, the initiative aims to strengthen not just individual participants but the broader civic ecosystem of San Diego. The program envisions a future where young people see themselves as stakeholders in their communities—capable of driving meaningful, long-term change.

Organisations working at the intersection of youth development and civic engagement are encouraged to apply and contribute to building a more participatory and resilient society.

Deadline: April 17, 2026

Application can be accessed from here.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.