YIA's flagship initiative

The YIA Impact Fund

Empowering young people to turn practical ideas into community action through fair, transparent support for youth-led projects.

What it is

Small grants. Real local change.

The YIA Impact Fund is a developing program of Youth in Action designed to support youth-led community projects across the United States. It will give young people resources to address a real need, organize others, and create measurable public benefit.

The fund will begin with small awards and hands-on guidance, helping young leaders plan achievable projects, bring people together, and show what their work accomplished.

What could be supported?

Civic education events, community-service projects, leadership initiatives, neighborhood improvement, environmental projects, and other youth-led ideas that help a community.

The model

Youth-led

Young people identify a community need and lead the proposed response.

Community-focused

Projects respond to a real local need and bring a clear benefit to the community.

Built for impact

Recipients set goals, use funds responsibly, and report what their project accomplished.

From idea to impact

Support beyond the grant.

Selected young leaders will receive more than funding. YIA plans to pair grants with practical guidance that helps each project move forward.

Simple project planning and goal setting
Support for budgets, outreach, and teamwork
Regular check-ins while projects are underway
A chance to share results and inspire others

Currently in development

Help build what comes next.

Join YIA to receive updates as the Impact Fund prepares for its first application cycle.

Get involved ↗