THE 2025

CIVIC FELLOWS

Are you a NYC changemaker passionate about using media, art, or storytelling to drive civic engagement in your community? Apply to become a Civic Fellow today.

🚩 Applications are now closed.

#Civic Engagement

A collage featuring diverse individuals engaged in community service and civic leadership activities, showcasing expressions of enthusiasm and commitment. The image highlights volunteer opportunities and civic engagement initiatives, emphasizing inclusivity and active participation.

THE CIVIC FELLOWS PROGRAM

The 2025 Civic Fellows Program is designed to empower and equip NYC youth to become leaders in civic engagement through innovative approaches that center community engagement. For three months, three young leaders from New York City will engage in a structured fellowship that includes leadership trainings, specialized projects, and additional activities.

They will utilize media, art, and storytelling to boost the participation of their peers under 25 in community and civic life, and receive hands-on training, mentorship, and expert support to launch their projects addressing a need in their communities.

REQUIREMENTS

2025 Civic Fellows participants will be required to meet the following criteria:

‣ Youth ages 17-25
‣ Passionate about civic engagement
‣ Interest in engaging NYC communities in unique opportunities to promote and create a movement of change
‣ A strong concept of how they want to use in-person engagement and social media to increase civic engagement in their communities

Specifics:

‣ Must be a resident of New York City
‣ Eligible to work in the United States
‣ Demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement
‣ Available to participate in all program activities from August to October 2025, including meetings, events, and assignments - including monthly progress reports
‣ Willing to take on leadership roles

CIVIC FELLOWS 2025 APPLICATION

🚩 Applications are now closed.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Participate in Structured Meetings

From August 2025 to October 2025, fellows will participate in at least 5 structured meetings to share their progress, receive feedback, and learn from industry experts on topics such as project management, advocacy, and media storytelling.

Implement Your Own Civic Project

Fellows will develop and implement their own civic project using media, art, or storytelling to drive civic engagement.

Lead Presentations

Fellows will serve as leaders in events, including a final showcase where you will present your projects to an audience of peers, mentors, and DoSomething staff.

Receive Personalized Coaching

You will engage in regular progress reporting and receive personalized coaching to help you refine and execute your projects.

WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE

Fellows Will Receive:

‣ $1,150 total compensation for their participation.
‣ Live training sessions with renowned artists, storytellers, and civic leaders to help develop their skills and amplify their work.
‣ The opportunity to showcase their projects at a final presentation, with visibility on DoSomething.org and within our broader network.
‣ A community of like-minded changemakers and mentors that support their journey.

What We're Looking For:

‣ NYC residents aged 17-25 who are committed to civic engagement and social justice, with a passion for using media, art, or storytelling to inspire change.
‣ Individuals with a clear concept of a civic project they wanted to pursue, or those who have already begun such work in their communities.
‣ Availability to participate in all program activities.

CIVIC FELLOWS FAQs

What is a Civic Fellow?

How many people are part of this program?

What will I do?

When/where are the meetings?

What do I get for being a Civic Fellow?

How much time will it take?

MEET PAST CIVIC FELLOWS

These young civic leaders launched their own community initiatives that addressed various issues young people are experiencing, using media, art, and storytelling to get their peers engaged.

A smiling individual with long, wavy hair, wearing a teal blouse. This image promotes community engagement and civic leadership through volunteerism and service opportunities.

Felicia Gambino | 2024

Felicia is the founder of "The Magician's Project," a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma on mental health to prevent suicide in young people through advocacy, education, and social media. As a Civic Fellow, Felicia created a social media series called "The Magic Reset" with the hashtag #ResetTheStigma.

A smiling individual with long dark hair and clear glasses poses in front of a light-colored textured background, wearing a black coat over a red shirt. This image represents community service and civic leadership initiatives, emphasizing volunteer opportunities.

Azul Balderas | 2024

Azul has focused her Civic Fellows project on empowering women to share their personal stories through a creative blend of photography and poetry. Azul created a mixed-media platform that showcases women's experiences and societal challenges from their point of view.

A smiling individual with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer, stands against a softly lit background featuring columns. This image promotes volunteer opportunities and community service initiatives.

Sonja Aibel | 2024

Sonja’s Civic Fellows project combined arts and data science as she worked to advance ranked-choice voting (RCV) and deepen civic engagement among teens in NYC. She looked at unused data from RCV and CUNY about how young people get involved in their communities and used that information to create eye-catching visuals that tell the story of Gen Z’s engagement.

A smiling individual wearing a black hoodie and a cap stands in an urban setting. This image represents the spirit of community service and volunteer opportunities.

Arnold Ludd | 2023

Arnold, one of our inaugural Civic Fellows and Futures Ball honoree, strategized about how to scale his program, Jiggabyte, Gloves Up Guns Down, a youth-led solution to counteract the gun violence he and his peers face in their community.

A person with a serene expression, wearing a light-colored top and a colorful headband, poses against a minimalistic background. The image represents the spirit of volunteerism and community engagement, highlighting opportunities for service and leadership.

Isoke Senghor | 2023

Isoke, one of our inaugural Civic Fellows, used media and storytelling to deepen the impact of The Village House Pantry, an organization that she created to eradicate food insecurity in New York City.

GET INVOLVED

Make a difference in your community and add your vision to the future of our democracy

Join DoSomething

Contribute to the Youth Agenda