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.
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
Submit your application today and be part of this opportunity to use media, art, or storytelling to drive civic engagement among your community!
💥 APPLICATION CLOSES JUNE 9, 2025
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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