Applications for this programme are now closed. The deadline was October 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. We are keeping this page as a guide for anyone who wants to apply to a future round or set up a similar youth council in their own community.
The Youth Investment Council 2026–2027 gives young people in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA, real power over how funding is spent in their city. Members learn how philanthropy works and then help decide which youth organisations receive grants. The role is also paid.
About the Youth Investment Council
The Council is part of an initiative called “Youth Creating a Healthier New Bedford”. It is a partnership between the Atrius Health Equity Foundation and the Women’s Fund SouthCoast. About 12 young people aged 14 to 22 are chosen to serve.
Unlike many youth leadership programmes, members do not just attend workshops. They set the criteria for judging applications, review grant proposals, may interview finalists and vote on how the money is shared among organisations serving young people in New Bedford.
What Council Members Learn
- How philanthropy and grantmaking work
- How nonprofit organisations operate and raise funds
- Health equity, and racial, gender and economic equity
- How to evaluate organisations fairly
- Teamwork and group decision-making
Benefits
- About $500 for completing the full process
- Dinner at evening meetings
- Support to remove barriers, such as transport, technology, accessibility, language support and materials
- Real experience in philanthropy and community leadership
- A voice in decisions that shape your community
Who Could Apply
- Young people aged 14 to 22
- Living in, or with a strong connection to, New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Able to attend all in-person meetings
- No previous leadership experience needed
2026–2027 Meeting Schedule
All sessions take place in person at the Women’s Fund SouthCoast office in downtown New Bedford:
- Orientation: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Meeting 1: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Meeting 2: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Meeting 3: Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Meeting 4: Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Meeting 5: Tuesday, January 19, 2027, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Members also spend extra time outside meetings reading and scoring grant applications.
Interested in a Future Round?
- Follow the Women’s Fund SouthCoast and the Atrius Health Equity Foundation for news of the next call.
- If you live outside New Bedford, look for youth grantmaking councils run by community foundations in your own city or state.
- Outside the US, ask local foundations or NGOs whether they have a youth advisory board. If not, propose one.
Key Details at a Glance
- Organisers: Atrius Health Equity Foundation and Women’s Fund SouthCoast
- Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA (in person)
- Who: About 12 young people aged 14–22
- Pay: About $500 plus meals and participation support
- Status: Closed (deadline was October 14, 2026)
