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For young people, by young people.
We are committed to building a powerful youth movement by uplifting progressive organizers with the resources they need.
ABOUT US
MAKING CHANGE POSSIBLE
OUR VISION
Youth Action Fund aims to empower and unlock the true potential of all young Floridians by equipping them with funding, strategic guidance, and otherwise out-of-reach resources to lead impactful issue-based community campaigns. We challenge the deeply flawed non-profit sphere that neglects marginalized people and aim to build a burgeoning cross-class, multiracial powerful student movement to counter culture war extremism in our state.
THEORY OF CHANGE
ABOUT US
THEORY OF CHANGE
Founded by a diverse cohort of Gen-Z organizers, YAF pursues a transformative theory to inspire change. As 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.
WHO WE ARE
ABOUT US
OUR PRINCIPLES
We Honor Intersectionality
Youth Action Fund recognizes that all struggles and progress are interconnected and, thus, has adopted a bold and encompassing progressive policy platform.
Read more about the values we champion here.
We Work
In Coaliton
YAF knows the path to a progressive future will be no small undertaking and hinges on the power of coalition-building. We honor the wealth of experience, knowledge, and community available in Florida and are committed to supporting and expanding existing networks of allies to drive change.
We Empower,
Not Exploit
We reject attempts to exploit and undermine the power of our generation to inspire progressive victories in Florida and beyond. We will not allow our peers to be tokenized or taken advantage of by providing them tangible opportunities to take charge and build power as young organizers.
We Practice
Mutual Aid
YAF strongly prioritizes uplifting and providing space for in-need community members to build a resilient and equitable movement. We recognize that we come from different backgrounds and proximity to privilege and that the fight for progressive wins is stronger when we are all adequately supported.
OUR STORY
MOVEMENT TIMELINE
2022 - The Birth Of The Student Movement
Before founding Youth Action Fund, our staff and board members were hard at work fighting for a more inclusive future in 2022. Most notably, as high school and college students, we challenged the discriminatory “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” bill on a national stage by organizing school walkouts that galvanized tens of thousands of teenagers on-the-ground and generated millions of views online.
2023 - Proving The Concept
In July 2023, Youth Action Fund was founded 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, and achieved monumental progressive wins with zero name recognition or leverage in the nonprofit world.
2024 - Unleashing Youth Power
While continuing to grow our flagship stipend program, YAF is devoted to mobilizing our generation to the ballot box ahead of critical elections in 2024. Because so much is on the line, from abortion access to legalizing recreational marijuana use, we are launching a historic campaign to register high-school students on campuses across Florida to vote. Click here to learn more or become involved in this effort.
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