🟫Youth Civic Engagement & Student Activism
A ranked guide to organizations supporting youth activism, voting, and organizing
These groups help young people shape their communities and futures—through school-based programs, training, and national campaigns. They also provide resources for parents, educators, and allies who want to support youth-led change.
Share this resource with the young people in your life!
Many work nationally; others operate in Washington state or have strong local chapters. Also below: Youth organizations of the Democratic Party.
Each group offers resources for action—leadership training, school programs, volunteer roles, data tools, issue guides, and peer networks. Parents and allies can also find meaningful ways to support youth involvement.
About These Advocacy Group Guides: I’ve created more than 60 issue advocacy guides to help people connect with effective organizations and take meaningful action. If you’re interested in other issues, you can explore them all here: Advocacy Groups by Issue.
CIRCLE (Tufts University)
The nation’s leading research hub on youth civic participation. Offers powerful data, strategy guides, and field-tested tools for educators, students, and policymakers.
National nonprofit pioneering “action civics” in schools—teaching students how to identify local issues, research them, and influence policy through real advocacy.
SLSV (Students Learn Students Vote) Coalition
A nonpartisan network of hundreds of colleges and youth-serving organizations to increase student voter turnout with ready-made action plans and resources.
March for Our Lives, Seattle Chapter
Student-led national movement to end gun violence. Organizes walkouts, rallies, and policy campaigns.
Youth-led national campaign for climate justice and the Green New Deal. Offers local hubs, organizer training, and policy advocacy.
Active in Washington state, reaches millions of voters ages 18–35 through digital, campus, and community engagement. Focus areas: climate, economic justice, abortion access.
Builds political power for young people in Washington through leadership training, voter engagement, and youth-centered campaigns.
My School Votes (When We All Vote)
A nonpartisan school-based initiative that helps high school students register voters and run peer-to-peer civic campaigns. Part of Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote organization.
Youth-led organization elevating student leadership in education reform. Offers national storytelling campaigns and local advocacy training.
Rock the Vote, Washington voter tools
Iconic youth-focused voter registration and education group. Offers customizable tools for events, schools, and organizations.
Student-founded and -led organization advocating for gun violence prevention, mental health access, and stronger student voice in Washington public schools.
A campaign by Generation Citizen working to lower the voting age to 16 in local elections. Strong youth leadership and legal advocacy.
Youth Civic Engagement Program, Seattle Office of Civil Rights
Empowers Seattle high school students through policy advocacy, leadership training, and public service mentorship.
Civically Engaged Youth Council, Seattle CityClub
Builds student dialogue and public engagement around media literacy, politics, and global issues.
Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
Offers students direct access to the state legislature. Advises lawmakers on issues impacting youth.
WASHPIRG Students, University of Washington
Campus-based chapter organizing student-led campaigns on environmental protection, public health, and voter access.
Youth Advisory Council, Washington State Department of Health
Elevates youth voices in public health policy and programming across Washington.
People’s Academy for Community Engagement, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Trains youth and adults in leadership, organizing, and equitable civic participation in local government.
TeamChild (Washington-based)
Legal advocacy nonprofit supporting youth impacted by the justice system—connecting them to housing, education, and community services.
4-H Know Your Government, Washington State University Extension
Brings Washington youth to Olympia for hands-on civic education and leadership development.
Also see in Plainly, Garbl: Advocacy Across Generations
A ranked guide to advocacy organizations for every generation, including Generation Z and Gen Alpha
💬 Youth Organizations of the Democratic Party
Besides the civic engagement groups listed above, these organizations connect high school and college students directly to Democratic Party leadership, campaigns, and decision-making.
They provide political training, mentorship, and organizing opportunities for the next generation of Democratic voters and leaders.
Young Democrats of America (YDA)
The official youth arm of the Democratic Party for ages 14–36, with chapters in nearly every state. Focuses on building leadership, advancing progressive issues, and supporting Democratic candidates.
High School Democrats of America (HSDA)
A national student-led organization that introduces politically interested high school students to Democratic politics, advocacy, and public service.
Young Democrats of Washington (YDWA)
The state chapter of YDA, organizing young Democrats around elections, issues, and events. Activity on their Facebook page may vary, but the group can be contacted by email.
Young Democrats at the University of Washington (YDUW)
A campus-based group that promotes progressive politics and student-led action at the University of Washington. Active on campus and online with events, endorsements, and peer organizing.
💠 Top Youth Civic Engagement Issues
Voting Rights & Civic Education: Empowering youth with knowledge and access to participate fully in democracy.
Climate Justice & Sustainability: Fighting for a livable future through bold environmental policy.
Gun Violence Prevention: Advocating for safer schools and communities through common-sense laws.
Education Equity & Student Voice: Ensuring students shape the policies that affect their learning.
Mental Health & School Safety: Promoting well-being and support in educational environments.
Youth Voter Registration & Turnout: Boosting first-time participation to build lifelong voters.
Racial & Social Justice in Schools: Confronting inequities and fostering inclusive education.
Reproductive Rights Education: Supporting access to accurate health information and care.
Free Speech & Youth Activism Protections: Defending the rights of young people to speak and organize.
Lowering the Voting Age to 16: Expanding civic inclusion by engaging younger voices in local elections.