The Power of Showing Up—in Person
Young Futures Community,
We’re coming off the natural high of our favorite part of this work: being in person with our YF Innovators last week.
Our YF Innovators Retreat brought together the incredible leaders from our Under Pressure Challenge cohort for three powerful days at Costanoa in Pescadero, CA. Surrounded by eucalyptus trees and ocean air, we laughed, learned, recharged—and most importantly, built the kind of deep community that fuels this movement.
These grantees showed up with open hearts and big questions. Together, we unpacked grind culture with Beck Tench (Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Center for Digital Thriving), dove into organizational strategy with Chris Lambert (Next Level Nonprofit), and explored the art of storytelling with the brilliant Kerry-Ann Hamilton (Storytelling for Good). We also heard fundraising wisdom from YFI Larissa May (#HalfTheStory) and our seed funder and partner, Kelsey Noonan (Pivotal Ventures). The energy was real. The connections were deep. And the validation was loud: none of us have to do this alone.
Pescadero was for recharging, but at the same time, on the national stage, we're charging ahead.
At GDC, we partnered with Niantic and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop to lead a powerful conversation about the future of digital play. We gathered game developers, researchers, and youth advocates to explore how games can do more than entertain—they can spark creativity, build resilience, and foster real connection. And we previewed our next $1M funding opportunity: the Here Comes the Fun Challenge, opening in just a few weeks!
I also had the privilege of speaking at the Common Sense Media Summit alongside one of our incredible YFIs, Samin Bhan from Lookupp, about how young people can lead on phones in schools—and we’re excited to let them. Which brings me to…
Call Me Maybe proposals are due in one week, April 9! Haven’t submitted yet? Check out the FAQ article and the applicant info session recording to learn more. Share this with a nonprofit or educator in your life.
We told you this year was going to be big—and we’re just getting started.
With gratitude,
Katya Hancock
Executive Director, Young Futures
Young Futures in the News
April 1, LinkedIn Article, YF’s Program Manager, Sierra Fox-Woods, recaps the Call Me Maybe (CMM) Challenge Info Session—where nearly 70 applicants got to ask all their questions and gained full transparency in understanding what we are looking for in proposals for the CMM Challenge, rethinking school phone policies. From eligibility to youth-centered solutions, get the full breakdown (plus the recording!) to craft your strongest proposal before the April 9 deadline. Questions? The YF team is standing by at team@youngfutures.org.
March 27, LinkedIn Article, YF’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, Dr. Kristine Gloria, dives into what teens really think about school phone policies—and why their voices must shape solutions. In Heard in the Halls, she shares eye-opening insights from students and educators, revealing why rigid bans often fail and how flexibility, trust, and digital literacy can create policies that actually work. With the Call Me Maybe Challenge now open—offering $500,000 for youth-informed solutions—this is your chance to rethink phone use in schools with students, not just for them. Spoiler: Teens want balance, not blanket rules. Check out the article to learn how we can design policies that respect their needs while supporting learning.
March 26, YouTube Video, Masterclass Video Series, features charity: water founder Scott Harrison revealing how he raised $1B+ by rewriting nonprofit fundraising rules. Learn his counterintuitive strategies—from the 100% Model that unlocked millions to storytelling that inspires action over guilt. Discover why donors join winning teams, not sob stories, and how tech like VR and real-time sensors builds trust at scale. This is a must-watch for both nonprofit and for-profit leaders.
Young Futures Innovators in the News
Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator NyRee Clayton-Taylor of HHN2L is creating transformative opportunities for Louisville youth, sending 12 high school students to Berlin for the prestigious Education First Global Leadership Summit this July. Through her hip-hop-based educational organization, Clayton-Taylor empowers young leaders to develop creative solutions alongside 900 international peers while expanding their global perspectives.
Lonely Hearts Cohort YF Innovator Tony Weaver Jr. of Weird Enough is transforming youth mental health through his groundbreaking graphic novel "Weirdo," which tackles self-love and systemic challenges through the lens of a Black child's experience. By blending powerful storytelling with mental health advocacy, Weaver creates vital representation for young readers while challenging education systems that often overlook students' potential. His work—from school tours to developing the sequel "Weirdo 2"—continues to empower youth to embrace their uniqueness and rewrite negative narratives about their worth.
Under Pressure Challenge YF Innovator Maddie Freeman of NoSo is leading a global movement to help teens break free from social media's harmful effects through her transformative detox programs. After losing friends to suicide and battling her own depression fueled by endless scrolling, Freeman created No Social Media November (NoSo), which has helped thousands of youth reclaim their mental health, discover offline passions, and build meaningful connections. Her evidence-based approach—now expanding into schools worldwide—empowers a generation to find balance in the digital age, proving life beyond the screen is not only possible but profoundly liberating.
Spotlight on Youth Voices
Why are students consistently left out of conversations about their own education? Vivian Covington-Kolb, a Greenville High School junior and passionate student advocate, tackles this critical question in her eye-opening TEDx talk. Drawing from her firsthand experience fighting South Carolina's statewide phone ban, Vivian exposes the flaws in policies created without student input—revealing how such measures often misunderstand teen behavior and needs. Through compelling personal stories and hard-hitting research, she demonstrates how students like herself are not just passive recipients of education policy, but essential partners in designing effective learning environments. From testifying before school boards to publishing op-eds in major newspapers, Vivian's advocacy work proves that when students get a seat at the table, schools see real benefits.
What We’re Reading (& Watching)
Adolescence Creator ‘Went Very, Very Deep’ in the Manosphere. Its Appeal Scared Him (Wired, April 2)
The U.K. Government Wouldn’t Ban Phones in Schools. These Parents Stepped Up. (The New York Times, April 1)
AI Agents Are a Moment of Truth for Tech (The Wall Street Journal, Mar 29)
Katamari Damacy Creator’s New Game Is About Teen Angst, Cute Dogs, and Eye Boogers (Wired, March 28)
How Artificial Intelligence Reasons (The New York Times, Mar 26)
How Well Do You Know Your Own Group Chats? (The New York Times, March 25)
With a U.S. Ban Looming, TikTok Portrays Itself as a Force for Good (The New York Times, March 25)
Tech for Babies Is Booming. Here’s What One Parent Found Helped the Most. (The New York Times, Mar 19)
AI Is Making It Easier Than Ever for Students to Cheat (The Wall Street Journal, Mar 19)
YouTube and industry leaders announce the Youth Digital Wellbeing Initiative (YouTube, Mar 18)
Make America Smart Again (The Wall Street Journal, Mar 16)
The Snapchat Move That Leaves Teen Girls Heartbroken (The Wall Street Journal, Mar 15)
Adolescence (Netflix, Mar 13)
How COVID Shaped a Resilient Generation of Kids (Scientific American, Mar 11)
Want to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier? Then Cultivate Your Social Connections (Wired, March 7)
Talking to Teens
Dr. Lisa Damour, former journalist and renowned clinical psychologist, recently unpacked Netflix's "Adolescence" docuseries, examining the complex emotional landscape of today's teenage boys. She highlights how societal pressures around masculinity shape boys' struggles with anger, vulnerability, and digital life—while offering parents actionable ways to foster connection. Key takeaway? Supporting boys requires moving beyond stereotypes to create space for their full emotional range. Watch now to rethink how we guide young men through modern adolescence.
Friends of YF
Our collaborators at The Center for Digital Thriving (CDT) have released their first-ever Impact Report reflecting on all of the amazing things they did in 2024 and showcasing how youth voices are shaping healthier relationships with technology! Through groundbreaking research like their study on teen "grind culture," practical tools including the Youth Voice Playbook, and their inaugural Digital Thriving Fellowship for youth-led projects, CDT is transforming conversations about tech and wellbeing. This year brings exciting new initiatives—from professional development courses to expanded AI research—as they prepare to welcome their next fellowship cohort. Dive into their inspiring progress and see how evidence-based approaches are creating real change for young people in digital spaces. Read the full report now and join the movement!
Tilting Futures is exploring a new Girls in STEM Global Internship Program and wants YOUR input! They are seeking feedback from young women aged 17-22 to help shape this potential initiative for STEM enthusiasts. Share your thoughts in their quick 1-5 minute survey—your ideas could directly influence the program's design! Know someone perfect for this? Send them the survey link or spread the word to help us create opportunities for the next generation of women in STEM.
The Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute is now accepting applications for its Rising Generations Summit on June 7, 2025, offering young leaders aged 14-18 an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future in Washington, DC! This summit gathers and empowers youth to amplify their voices, connect with fellow changemakers, and develop real tools to drive impact on issues they care about most—whether in their communities or at the national level. Unlike traditional conferences, this is an action-oriented movement where participants will collaborate with next-gen disruptors and turn ideas into tangible change. No prior leadership experience is needed—just passion and a vision for a more just, healthy future. Apply now to claim your seat!
The Foundation for Social Connection and Healthy Places by Design are now accepting session proposals for the 2025 Seeds of Connection Conference (October 28-30 in Atlanta)! This event invites leaders across sectors to share innovative approaches for building relationships that transform communities and systems. They are seeking dynamic, interactive session proposals that align with the theme of cultivating meaningful connections—whether through workshops, panels, or creative presentations. Selected presenters will join a powerful gathering of changemakers working to address social isolation and strengthen community bonds. Proposals are due by April 25, 2025 (11:59pm ET). Don't miss this opportunity to share your expertise and help shape this important conversation: submit your proposal today, and if you have any questions, contact conference@social-connection.org.
Funding Opportunities
NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants is now accepting applications for 2025, offering $2.5 million in unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations across 11 NBC and Telemundo-owned television station markets. Grants will be awarded to organizations with total expenses between $100,000 and $1,000,000, focusing on initiatives in Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers, and Community Engagement. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits and must have been operational for at least one year. The deadline for applications is April 11, 2025, and further information, including eligibility details, can be found on the application portal. Apply now!
The Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK) Foundation is now accepting applications for funding to support innovative, high-impact nonprofits addressing systemic challenges worldwide. Grants focus on organizations with bold visions in areas like social justice, health equity, and environmental sustainability, prioritizing those with diverse leadership and scalable solutions. DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period and their selection process emphasizes measurable impact, operational strength, and potential for long-term change. Check out more details on their website!
Upcoming Events
Register now! Our YF Innovator Luke Wall of Only7Seconds is bringing their first East Coast event to life on April 17th at 7PM—and they’re assembling an incredible lineup of leaders, speakers, and changemakers! If you're a marketing/media influencer, youth program leader, business executive, or philanthropist passionate about tackling loneliness and fostering connection, this is the event for you. Join them for an evening of networking, storytelling, and collaboration—and enjoy appetizers and drinks while hearing from speakers like David Siegel (Author and former CEO of Meetup & Investopedia), Niobe Way (Author, NYU Professor, and YFI), Lynn Greenberg (Founder & CEO of Pivt Enterprise), and Luke Wall (ED of Only7Seconds) as they spotlight solutions to the youth loneliness crisis. Don’t miss this intimate opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders driving social wellbeing—RSVP now to secure your spot!