Young People Helping Shape New Bedford’s Future

We’re excited to launch the Youth Investment Council in partnership with Atrius Health Equity Foundation as part of Youth Creating a Healthier New Bedford.

Convened and facilitated by Women’s Fund SouthCoast, the Council will bring together approximately 12 young people to allocate up to $355,000 to organizations advancing youth leadership development, youth civic engagement, and youth organizing to improve health outcomes in New Bedford.

Young people have been telling us they want more opportunities to connect and lead. Our Young Women’s Advisory Council applications are now closed, with more than 50 applicants for 20 spots. Dedicated spaces where girls and gender-expansive youth of color can find belonging and grow as leaders remain essential.

Alongside those spaces, this new Council will bring young people across genders and races—including boys and young men—together to learn from one another and make decisions that matter.

Council members will explore how gender, race, and economic circumstances intersect to shape young people’s health and opportunities. They’ll apply this justice lens to six youth-identified priorities: substance use, transportation, mental health, community violence, youth jobs and economic security, and housing.

They’ll use that understanding to develop scoring criteria, review grant applications, and select organizations and award amounts. That’s youth participatory philanthropy: young people putting their experiences, ideas, and leadership to work through real funding decisions.

Please share this opportunity with young people, families, educators, and community partners. A personal invitation from you could help a young person take that first step.