The YFUSA National Organizing Toolkit: Justice & Policy Pillar

Empowering Youth to Build Power and Drive Policy Change

This guide is the complete blueprint for youth leaders to secure economic and policy commitments in any city. It translates the power of the Culture-to-Capital Loop into direct civic action and advocacy.

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PART 1: THE STRATEGY & THE $5.5 BILLION MANDATE

1. The Core Mission: Cultural Reinvestment

Youth Fund USA (YFUSA) is a Cultural Reinvestment Social Enterprise. We leverage the cultural influence of youth to fund the infrastructure needed for them to demand systemic investment from government and corporations. Advocacy is not a side project; it is the engine of the Justice & Policy Pillar.

2. The $5.5 Billion Investment Mandate

The ultimate goal of all local campaigns is to build momentum for a $5.5 Billion National Youth Investment Mandate. Our local action proves that this level of commitment—across public and private capital—is necessary to solve the national youth disconnection crisis.

Sector Local Campaign Goal National Mandate Focus
Public Sector Secure a Local Budget Commitment (e.g., $10M) and advocate for progressive new revenue streams. $4 Billion in dedicated, long-term State and Federal grants for systemic youth jobs.
Private Sector Win commitments for 1,000+ new, high-quality, tech-integrated jobs from large local employers. $1.5 Billion in combined corporate/philanthropic funding for the Future Workforce pillar.

3. The 5 Strategic Goals (The 'Why' for the Meeting)

Every meeting must achieve these five goals in order:

  1. Build Strategic Relationships: Establish a sustained, long-term connection between the YFUSA Coalition and the elected official.
  2. Build and Hold Power: Gain recognition for The YF Network (youth from multiple partner organizations) as a permanent, credible civic force and advocacy coalition.
  3. Research & Data: Identify where the Council Member stands on key issues (Future Workforce and New Revenue) to inform our ask.
  4. The Commitment ASK: Secure a clear, documented promise of support for local funding that aligns with the $5.5 Billion Investment Mandate.
  5. Learn Priorities: Identify the Council Member's current concerns to plan future campaigns and areas for collaboration.
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CORE RESOURCE: YFUSA ORGANIZER TRAINING

This YFUSA Youth Organizer's Power Manual is the foundational guide for all coalition leaders. Download it to master the principles of public narrative, strategic campaign planning, and building The YF Network necessary to achieve the $5.5 Billion Investment Mandate.

⬇️ DOWNLOAD THE YFUSA POWER MANUAL

PART 2: THE EXECUTION (The Youth Action Guide)

A. BEFORE THE MEETING (20 Minutes)

Step Time Action
1. Pre-Research 10 min Share key known information about the Council Member (interests, past program support, where they grew up). Find a personal connection.
2. Select Roles 10 min Assign roles: Chair (leads intro/framing), Asker (delivers commitment ask), 2 Storytellers (1 job story, 1 policy story), Note Taker, and Contact Person (handles all follow-up). Youth from at least 3 CBOs must be present.
3. Prepare Materials Ongoing Have printed copies of the agenda and any supporting data (like the Disconnected Youth Data report).

B. IN THE MEETING (30 Minutes Maximum)

The script is time-boxed and designed to translate the youth's personal experience into a civic ask and advocacy request.

Time Step Objective & Key Dialogue
5 min 1. Frame & Rounds Objective: Set the agenda and establish collective identity. Dialogue: "Thank you, Council Member. We're here as the YFUSA Atlanta Coalition—a unified front of youth leaders. Our goal is to discuss our part in the $5.5 Billion National Youth Investment Mandate and build a strategic partnership." Go around: Name, YFUSA Coalition Group, School/Program.
3 min 2. Credentialing YFUSA Objective: Establish YFUSA's legitimacy and power. Dialogue: "The Youth Fund USA is a Cultural Reinvestment Social Enterprise. We fund high-quality jobs and teach youth to fight for policies. We are here not just to ask, but to partner, as we've successfully done in the past..." Mention a past victory.
2 min 3. Stating the Priorities Objective: Clearly state the issues. Dialogue: "This spring, we are focusing on creating Future Workforce jobs, securing progressive new revenue, and advancing social justice through the Justice & Policy Pillar."
14 min 4. The Relational Core: Story Share Objective: Connect the youth's personal needs to the Council Member's experience. Dialogue: (ASK THEM FIRST) "Council Member, what was a meaningful job or opportunity you had when you were younger, and what impact did it have?" Youth then share two brief (1-2 min) stories: 1. Job/Economic Mobility Story. 2. Policy/New Revenue Story (e.g., on a program that was cut due to lack of funding).
4 min 5. The Commitment ASK Objective: Deliver the specific ask clearly. Dialogue: "We understand the budget is tight, but investing in young people is an investment in the city's future. Council Member, will you publicly support a commitment of local funds (e.g., $10 million) in the budget toward a community-based, Future Workforce youth jobs program, and will you advocate for new progressive revenue streams that prioritize youth services?"
2 min 6. Relationship Building Objective: Pivot to collaboration and secure future access. Dialogue: "We want to be an active resource for you. Given your priorities for this budget cycle, where could the YFUSA Coalition best leverage our organizing power and youth-collected data to support your agenda?"

C. AFTER THE MEETING (10 Minutes)

Step Action
1. Debrief The Note Taker leads a debrief: What did you learn? Did we get a clear commitment? Capture all quotes, data points, and advocacy insights for the YFUSA National Advocacy Report.
2. Follow-Up The Contact Person immediately sends a personalized thank-you email/note that re-states the commitment or confirms the action the Council Member promised to take.