Blue Future Announces 28 New Organizational Partnerships for 2024
As Blue Future continues to expand our impact within the youth organizing and leadership development space, it’s important that we continue refining the ways we use our resources to drive impact. In that spirit, in partnership with the Grassroots Democrats HQ, we recently hired 150 organizers through our Organize for Democracy Leadership program.
These organizers will call thousands of young voters in competitive Congressional districts & Senate states and help young voters make a plan to vote.
Check out screenshots from our recent zoom training:
Yet, to better create space for leadership to emerge — a key outcome of the civil rights movement and organizing work done by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee — we also wanted to get back to our early organizing tactics of fortifying strategic partnerships with state based local groups.
So, we launched our fifth Youth Power Fund program.
The Youth Power Fund is a grant and fellowship opportunity for progressive youth organizers and local youth-led organizations. The goal of the Youth Power Fund is to support local youth-led organizations and student organizers with direct funding and a community of learning to unleash youth voter engagement.
This year, like in 2022, we used a transparent, participatory grantmaking process to involve our alumni in making funding decisions. We recruited a participatory grantmaking committee, representing the racial, gender, sexuality, ability, economic, and geographic diversity of Blue Future’s previous grantees and organizing alumni. We invited folks to:
- Be trained in the basic principles of participatory grantmaking
- Review applications and provide scores based on a rubric
- Interview funding applicants
- Decide with a cohort of alumni which projects to fund
- Support Blue Future as we build the next generation of leaders
Our committee of youth leaders deliberated over several weeks. It’s with great enthusiasm that we were able to invest in the following organizations working to develop youth leadership and driving impact on important issues and electoral campaigns across the country.
As Blue Future continues to build a powerful and inclusive youth movement, we’re thrilled to announce our latest partnerships with trailblazing organizations and student groups across the country. In 2024, we remain committed to empowering young leaders with the tools, resources, and networks they need to drive transformative change. Our recent partnerships reflect the energy, creativity, and determination of a generation ready to shape a more just and equitable future for all.
This year, we expanded our scope to include historically conservative states like Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, where power building is more necessary than ever, as certain politicians continue to attack our freedoms and rights.
Through these partnerships, we’re not only investing in leadership development but also in the future of grassroots movements nationwide.
Here’s a look at the incredible organizations we’re working with this year.
Arizona List — Arizona
Arizona List is a statewide membership network that works to recruit, train, support and elect Democratic women committed to reproductive rights running for office in Arizona. By electing more women to state and local office, Arizona List supports leaders who will drive change. Change that is truly needed in our state and will come from thoughtful, progressive elected women who will roll up their sleeves and do the work.
With the grant from Blue Future, Arizona List will support their intern program that puts young people in direct connection with inspiring progressive candidates. They learn about the political process from the ground up from how to cut turf, canvass and build a campaign that wins an election. And then they know their presence made a difference because they were an integral part along the way.
Twitter: @Arizona_List | Instagram: @arizonalist
Atlanta University Center — Georgia
Our mission is to empower and engage young voters across historically Black colleges and universities. The 2024 Youth Power Fund is crucial for our efforts in the Atlanta University Center, where we represent Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morris Brown College. This funding empowers us to mobilize the Black community and amplify the voices of our youth, ensuring that the significance of the Black vote is recognized and valued in the upcoming election.
By supporting voter education and outreach within our vibrant campus network, this grant strengthens our commitment to political engagement and amplifies the impact of the Black vote, making it an essential tool in driving positive change and civic participation.
Be the Ones — South Carolina
Be The Ones is a nonpartisan grassroots organization building healthier communities, a more equitable democracy, and expanding power by removing barriers to local civic participation across the Southeast. In coalition with community-based partners, we co-create opportunities that increase civic understanding, motivate engagement and create a culture of accessible, inclusive, sustainable and joyful participation.
Cate Mayer, Executive Director shared with us, “we are incredibly grateful for this support, which strengthens Be The Ones capacity to lead a dynamic, multi-layered voter education and mobilization program across the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This funding will support our efforts to empower young leaders and historically underrepresented voters by focusing on down-ballot races and building local power. With these resources, we can expand our youth organizing efforts, including voter education and outreach at college campuses, ensuring the next generation of voters is engaged, informed, and ready for November and beyond.”
Twitter: @letsbetheones | Instagram: @letsbetheones
Black Butterfly Collective — Alabama
The Black Butterfly Collective addresses issues of safety and wellness for Black Trans women and femmes in AL. We fulfill an unmet need by cultivating spaces that provide protection, nourishment, and care for our black trans sisters. These spaces are necessary and create an environment where we can be vulnerable with each and build trust. We consider these spaces sacred especially in our headquarters of Mobile, AL.
With Blue Future’s support, they will scale up community organizing efforts and provide training for Black youth to engage in local and national political advocacy.
Instagram: @theblkbutterflycollective
Dear Asian Youth
Dear Asian Youth is an organization of Asian youth dedicated to uplifting and promoting the Asian community through intersectional activism. Founded in April 2020, we have created opportunities for Asians across the world to share their cultures, their experiences and their opinions to create lasting, sustainable change.
Their leadership team shared with us, “as our project spans over several states (NJ, MD, NY, MA, OH, CA, TX, WI, and IL), Blue Future has given our organization the necessary funding to help students located in various different political party lines. Our student leaders will be able to make an impact within their local community and receive knowledge on how to run a successful project.
The grant allows our organization to fully cover student expenses, including meals and travel, making our student activists be able to fully focus on encouraging more individuals to vote.”
Instagram: @dearasianyouth
Detroit Change Initiative — Michigan
Detroit Change Initiative’s mission is to educate people about resources available in their community, connect them to opportunities to influence changes they want to see and create a platform that amplifies the people’s voice for collective change.
With this grant, Detroit Change Initiative will concentrate on voter registration and youth leadership development this year, ensuring that young people in Detroit have a voice in upcoming elections. They will also be working on recruiting and training students to become poll workers!
Twitter: @Dcimovement | Instagram: @dcimovement
Envision Arizona Tomorrow — Arizona
Through innovative programs, policy advocacy, and community organizing, Envision Arizona Tomorrow fights for the future of Arizona’s youth. With Blue Future’s support, they plan to launch new initiatives focused on engaging young voters in rural areas and preparing them to vote in the upcoming elections.
Instagram: @envisionaztmr
Equity for All, Inc. — Georgia
Equity for All seeks to mobilize the unorganized organizer! We are committed to creating an active ecosystem of young people passionate about justice-centered policies around environmental, economic, and social injustice who feel they have no voice in the political process.
The organization will use this funding to empower those at the margins to make their voices heard at the polls this November. Together, we’ll increase turnout and ensure our community’s concerns are represented in the democratic process.
Instagram: @EQUITYFORALLINC
Forward Montana — Montana
Forward Montana, a 2022 and 2024 Youth Power Fund grantee, is building political power with and for young Montanans by driving a culture of civic engagement, and electing leaders who represent the needs and vision of our generation. Young people in Montana have big dreams for a better, more sustainable and inclusive future — and we deserve opportunities to make it happen. That’s what Forward Montana is all about.
This grant will support their efforts to engage young voters across this key battleground Senate State. “We know our peers feel discouraged by the state of the world right now. By creating publications and hosting events that ask candidates to articulate their vision and values on the issues our generation cares about most, young people feel more prepared and empowered to vote for a candidate that shares their values.” — Kiersten Iwai, Executive Director, Forward Montana
Twitter: @forward_montana | Instagram: @forward_montana
Girl Up — California
Whether high school students will be eligible to vote in the 2024 elections or not, they will play an essential role in the civic process. Girl Up’s work will focus on ensuring young women are prepared to lead in civic spaces and providing opportunities for them to take on leadership roles in their communities.
This grant will fund 10 school voter registration drives at high schools in states including Arizona, California, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. Bishop Alemany Girl Up will send voter registration bags to students across the nation to encourage youth voter registration. The supplies for an efficient drive will include a voter education guide with rules and regulations specific to each state or region, as well as voter ballots. They will distribute these bags to students who demonstrate a passion for civic engagement and a dedication to protecting First Amendment rights, such as freedom of expression.
Instagram: @alemanygirlup
High School Democrats of America — WIsconsin
As the 2024 election puts many issues on the ballot, the High School Democrats of America (HSDA)’s midwest region is focused on ensuring victories across the region towards the campaign, but specifically aiming to help with Kristin Lyerly’s House of Rep election in WI-8! We can’t wait to see one of our midwest states continue the push towards protecting our rights for the future!
Blue Future’s support will make an immense difference to the lives of the people within Wisconsin, and around the country. For youth, it would mean the access to a paid opportunity to get immersed in politics and aid a candidate who cares deeply about the ideas near and dear to the youth. And finally, it will make as substantial difference to HSDA, who will use this as a stepping stone to win bigger, and more difficult races in the future with the understanding of how to mobilize youth to conquer an election.
Instagram: @hsdems
Keep Arizona Blue PAC — Arizona
Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition is a student-founded, student-led PAC that’s mobilizing Gen-Z voters all across Arizona to elect Democrats! We especially focus on turning out young voters for and generating excitement for races up and down the ballot, from school board all the way up to the presidency.
Now, they’re working to turn out the most Gen-Z voters in Arizona history and keep Arizona blue for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, elect Ruben Gallego to the U.S. Senate, flip AZ-01 and AZ-06 from red to blue, and flip our State Legislature blue!
With the support of Blue Future’s Youth Power Fund, they will be able to reach even more Gen-Z voters, as EVERY VOTE MATTERS here in AZ! In fact, a member-elect of Congress in AZ won their race by 39 votes this year, our Attorney General won her statewide race by just 280 votes in 2022. That being said, every voter we’re able to contact thanks to the YPF is an opportunity to keep Arizona blue for Democrats up and down the ballot this November!
Twitter: @keepazblue | Instagram: @keepazblue
Michigan College Democrats PAC — Michigan
It is the mission of the Michigan College Democrats to uphold democratic majorities at all levels of government in the Great Lakes State. It is our duty and responsibility to serve as the chartered arm of the College Democrats of America in our great state; in order to represent members and chapters of the MFCD statewide. We work to support and develop democratic policy and philosophy. We aim to empower students by providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge necessary to be informed, active citizens. Through educational programs, workshops, and discussions, we promote political awareness, critical thinking, and effective advocacy skills.
A grant through the 2024 Youth Power Fund will enable the Michigan College Democrats to collaborate with other student organizations, state and local campaigns, and democratic initiatives. Through voter registration drives, campaign volunteering, and issue-based advocacy, we strive to use the funds to mobilize students to become organizers, encourage voter participation, promote progressive policies, and amplify their voices.
Instagram: @micollegedems
Missouri Asian American Youth Foundation — Missouri
The mission of the Missouri Asian American Youth Foundation is to advocate for and empower the Asian American community, particularly through voter registration efforts and leadership development. As Asian Americans, we emphasize coalition with other marginalized groups to build bridges for change. Based in St. Louis, we conduct voter outreach for elections, programming, and policy advocacy at every level to build a culture of civic engagement in our community.
Participating in the Youth Power Fund will allow the MAAY Foundation to conduct its most in-depth voter outreach operation at a time when Missouri is experiencing historic Asian American population growth. To better reach our community, this grant will fund targeted youth outreach, recruit volunteers, and phone banking.
For too long, Asian Americans have existed at the margins of the democratic process. This funding represents faith in organizers of color to mobilize our families, friends, and neighbors in the languages they know.
Instagram: @themaayfoundation
Muslim Women For — North Carolina
Muslim Women For is an organization of diverse women leaders who aim to embody Qur’anic ideals of human dignity, egalitarianism, compassion and social justice. We aim to implement the values of Islam and thereby reclaim the status of women as free, equal and vital contributors to society.
They will use this funding to build up their technology infrastructure, including facility, and digital organizational security. They will address the areas where we are most vulnerable, which will involve implementing internal policies, doxxing protection, and staff security training. This grant will allow Muslim Women For to grow as a more safe, secure, and resilient organization!
Instagram: @muslimwomenfor
Outvote — Pennsylvania & Arizona
OutVote is working to build a culture of civic engagement among LGBTQIA+ voters ahead of the 2024 election and beyond, with a specific focus on Gen-Z LGBTQIA+ voters. OutVote’s inaugural fellowship program is equipping young queer and trans organizers in Pennsylvania and Arizona with the skills and resources to mobilize their local LGBTQIA+ communities for sustained civic engagement into the future. In tandem with a nationwide ambassador program, OutVote plans to achieve over 10,000 in-person and online voter engagements to mobilize an additional 2,000 LGBTQIA+ voters ahead of the 2024 election.
Co-Founder Isaac James shared, “OutVote is honored to receive a grant from the 2024 Youth Power Fund. Our youth-led, youth-focused approach towards mobilizing LGBTQIA+ voters will make an incredible difference in our ability to mobilize, organize, and register young LGBTQIA+ voters in key swing states ahead of the 2024 election and beyond. Building a renewed culture of civic engagement is only possible through coalitional support and community uplift, of which the Youth Power Fund is a perfect representation.”
Instagram: @outvotehq
PA College Democrats — Pennsylvania
PACD is the statewide chapter of the College Democrats, with the PA Young Democrats. They oversee the chapters at colleges across the state and work to push the democratic agenda/candidates. They are working to expand to even more colleges across the state and setting up banquets and events for us all to connect. They are a group of like-minded, politically oriented individuals who are helping to foster collegiate political minds!
The Blue Future grant will make a significant impact on everything that they will do as part of PA College Democrats. They will be able to help with financial costs for those in our organizations to travel to events, rallies, or political trips. We will now have the money to help our youth organizers on campuses across the state, so they can reach more people.
Instagram: @pa_collegedems
Paving Tomorrow — Florida, Georgia, Washington
Paving Tomorrow is a youth-led organization creating a community for young progressives to create change. We are a safe space for young people to collaborate and develop as progressive individuals, emphasizing long-term work and lifetime involvement in leftist spheres.
We provide progressive education, professional development, and the opportunity to take direct action to our fellows. We are currently working with local campaigns in Florida, Washington, and Georgia to elect candidates who will prioritize youth-centric progressive policies.
The Blue Future grant will allow Paving Tomorrow to create a foundation that helps us make a greater impact within our local communities. They are excited to funnel this funding towards our campaign work, including in-person events and sponsored travel for our fellows, as well as using it to better establish our organization to fundraise for ourselves, including obtaining donor data and funding email marketing. This grant gives us resources we have not had access to so we can work towards paying our organizers long term.
Instagram: @pavingtomorrow
Pride Liberation — Virginia
Pride Liberation is the largest student-led LGBTQIA+ rights advocacy organization in Virginia. We work to build student power, create inclusive communities, and foster youth-inclusive democratic structures.
Aaryan Raawal, Founder of Pride Liberation shared with us, “through the Youth Power Grant, we’re going to change the way young people engage with school boards. For the first time in Virginia, we’ll be able to consistently mobilize students in school board meetings for the issues that matter the most to our generation.”
Twitter: @prideliberation | Instagram: @prideliberation
Progressive Victory Action — Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
Progressive Victory is an online community of volunteers, activists, and organizers. Using the power of the internet, we’re winning elections, protecting democracy, and building the next generation of organizers.
This funding will directly fund expenses for their canvassers on the ground in swing states. Our canvassers receive a stipend and have their living expenses covered by PV. This grant will translate to more doors being knocked in a critical swing state and more conversations being held with young people about the importance of preserving democracy.
Twitter: @ProgressiveVic | Instagram: @progressivevictory
University of North Carolina at Greensboro NAACP — North Carolina
The NAACP chapter at UNC Greensboro focuses on racial equity, voter registration, and community outreach. Funding for voter registration events will significantly amplify its impact, especially in a crucial election year where essential rights are at stake. With Blue Future’s support, they can reach a broader audience through targeted outreach efforts, ensuring that underrepresented communities are engaged and informed. As we work to protect and advance the rights of vulnerable populations and educate communities, the 2024 Youth Power Fund ensures that every eligible voter’s voice is heard and their rights preserved at the ballot box!
Instagram: @naacpuncg
Vote Riders — Ohio
VoteRiders’ vision is a thriving American democracy with an empowered, civically engaged, diverse, and representative electorate. In such a democracy, voter ID laws do not prevent any eligible voters from having a voice at the ballot box. VoteRiders’ mission is to ensure that no eligible voter is prevented from casting a ballot that counts due to voter ID laws, either directly from lack of acceptable ID or indirectly because of voter confusion. VoteRiders educates voters and assists citizens to secure their voter ID. We inspire and support organizations, volunteers, and communities to sustain such voter ID education and assistance efforts.
“Support from the 2024 Youth Power Fund will mean that many more voters will have the ID information and direct assistance they need in order to cast a ballot that counts in this election as well as those that follow. It enables VoteRiders to extend a lifeline for countless voters facing confusing and changing ID laws. Instead of being turned away at the polls, with your help, we’re able to provide the clarity and individualized assistance millions need to navigate the voting landscape and make their voices heard. With ID being a necessary step in the voting process for Americans in 38 states, such support can be a difference-maker in elections up and down the ballot.”
Voto Latino Foundation Inc. — Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania + Texas
Founded in 2004, Voto Latino Foundation is a 501(c)(3) digital-first, grassroots political organization, focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters, ultimately guiding the Latino community towards full realization of its political power and creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. To achieve our vision, Voto Latino Foundation uses a three-pronged strategy for our programming: Civic Storytelling, Civic Education & Engagement, and Civic Leadership to maximize civic participation among the Latino community to catalyze civic participation among the fastest growing demographic in the U.S.
Their leadership team shared, “in a historic election for the Latino community and Latino youth, VL On-Campus is giving the next generation of Latino leadership the opportunity to trailblaze civic efforts that empower others to step up at the polls. Through non-partisan partnered activations, program enhancements, supply drops, multilingual digital toolkits, and community-powered relational and digital organizing efforts, these leaders are making an impact that will last far beyond November 5, 2024.
Together with Voto Latino Foundation, their more 120+ campus leaders — representing a variety of organizations and causes — are building lasting civic cultures among Latinos on college campuses and ensuring that our communities and families are boldly represented in our democracy. Thank you to Blue Future for this generous support of Latino civic leadership, VL On-campus, and the next generation of Latino changemakers.
Instagram: @votolatino
Xavier University of Louisiana — Louisiana
The mission of the Student Government Association at Xavier University is to provide experience in the democratic process; to encourage students to participate in all facets of the institution; to promote professionalism, efficiency, and ingenuity; and to promote and assist in the planning and implementation of student programs and activities.
“Xavier University of Louisiana Student Government Association in partnership with Xavier’s Royal Court and Office of Inclusion and Social Justice (OISJ) is honored to be a grantee of the 2024 Youth Power Fund. This funding will allow student leaders on our Historically Black campus to host events that gets Black students registered, engaged, and excited about voting in the upcoming Presidential election.
This grant means we can continue to encourage student leaders to ‘promote a more just and humane society’ not only on our campus, but also in the Greater New Orleans area, and the world!” — Youma Diabira, 89th Miss Xavier University of Louisiana
Instagram: @xula1925, @xulasga, @xularoyalcourt, @xulaoisj
Young Feminist Party — Nevada & Arizona
“The Young Feminist Party is the political home for young feminists in the United States. We are building a powerful movement of young people, from communities and campuses across the country, to finalize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and advance gender justice for all. Since Virginia’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in 2020, we have grown into a nationwide movement of over 14,000 young people organizing for gender justice in our communities and Constitution. Through direct actions, legislative advocacy, electoral organizing, and judicial advocacy, The Young Feminist Party recruits, trains, and mobilizes young people to advance feminist policies–whether that’s strengthening our school’s Title IX policies or amending our state and federal constitutions.
Rosie Couture, Executive Director of the Young Feminist Party said, “this election season, abortion is directly on the ballot in ten states. Thanks to Blue Future, the Young Feminist Party has the resources to empower hundreds of young people in Arizona and Nevada to vote yes on ballot measures that will permanently and comprehensively defend and expand their right to abortion. As we work to win our abortion rights at the ballot box, we are also building up the next generation of feminist organizers who will mobilize their peers and communities through and beyond the election. We are grateful for the resources, including the wisdom and community, provided by Blue Future.”
YOUth Elect: Next Generation of Voters — Nebraska
We are two young organizers in the Omaha metro area, who envision a world where young people can have the ability to exercise their political power to lead their own initiatives.
“The Youth Power Fund will provide an opportunity for young people in Omaha to lead and become the decision-makers of this local GOTV campaign. Especially in Omaha because we have a unique blue dot, we have the ability to authentically gauge how young people want to participate in this year’s election. It will be all about centering the youth vote!”
A new way forward
As we welcome these new partners into our network, Blue Future remains committed to building a vibrant learning community where our grantees can connect, share strategies, and uplift each other. We believe that when young people have access to resources and coaching, they can achieve remarkable things.
Together, we’re working towards a future where every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to lead and make a difference.
We’re proud to be in solidarity with these organizations and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll have in the final stretch of this important election year.
