FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,
BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
We created the Florida Youth Action Fund to be the first ever resource center for young organizers, by young organizers, so that Florida’s young people can make the change they want to see in their communities.
As a working-class organizer from rural Florida, I often did not have access to resources, connections, or funding when leading community campaigns about the issues I cared about. My friends and I did not let that stop us though, as we organized the 2022 Walkouts of thousands of students across Florida in protest of the “Don’t Say Gay Bill”, and we toppled extreme school board members hellbent on banning books, proving that huge wins are possible through youth leadership. For young people ready to take action, we’re is here to meet the needs of the newest movement leaders because we know how incredibly daunting it feels doing this work alone.
Let's make it happen.
- Cameron Driggers, Executive Director
OUR VISION:
EVERY YOUNG FLORIDAN CAN LEAD CHANGE
READY TO LEAD
WE'RE MAKING YOUTH-LED CHANGE POSSIBLE
Youth Action Fund (YAF) empowers, trains, and equips young people across the state of Florida with funding and strategic advising to lead powerful issue-based campaigns and actions in their communities. By breaking down barriers and providing resources, Youth Action Fund challenges the deeply flawed non-profit sphere that neglects marginalized people–and aims to build a cross-class, multiracial powerful student movement to counter culture war extremism in our state.
Founded by a diverse cohort of Gen-Z organizers that came of age in the face of Florida’s fascist takeover, Youth Action Fund pursues a transformative theory to inspire change. As an organization led by young people, we know all too well that our existence and labor are often co-opted and exploited by significant players in the non-profit space with minimal support provided in return. Seeking to break this demeaning cycle, YAF strives to enfranchise our generation to organically seek support and guidance in leading grassroots action-oriented campaigns. Adopting a wide-encompassing progressive platform, we encourage our peers to lean into their organizing passions and make use of our organization’s resources.
OUR STORY:
2022
LEADING THE "DON'T SAY GAY" CAMPUS WALKOUTS
Before Youth Action Fund was created, our team organized historic school walkouts across the state against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill- an unprecedented attack on LGBTQ youth and freedom of speech.
These walkouts mobilized tens of thousands of students, parents, and Floridans who were inspired by the hope of a Florida that reflected our values.
We knew we had more work to do- so we harnessed the power of the statewide walkouts and created Youth Action Fund.
'23-'24
SPARKING CHANGE BY BUILDING LEADERS STATEWIDE
We opened our doors in July 2023 to fundamentally flip Gen-Z organizing in the state of Florida on its head. In just a few short months of operation, YAF sponsored dozens of action-oriented campaigns, built a community of allied organizations and partners, trained and mobilized thousands of youth- with an entirely youth-led team.
While continuing to grow our flagship SPARK program, YAF mobilized our generation to the ballot box ahead of critical elections in 2024. From abortion access to legalizing recreational marijuana use, we worked hard to communicate the stakes
2025
WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON?
This year we’re building on what works and experimenting with new programs to grow the student movement.
We’re launching new efforts in labor organizing, career readiness for young, pro-democracy professionals in the policymaking process, and scaling up our SPARK campaign advising program.
MAKE YOUTH ACTION HAPPEN
Youth Action Fund exists because young Floridians are stepping up to make change in every corner of the state, every day. We all have a role in making youth-led action happen – and we need your help.
Want to fund the movement? A monthly contribution goes directly to helping youth leaders make change happen. Learn More →
