A youth-led movement advancing gender, racial, and economic justice across the SouthCoast.
The Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) at the Women’s Fund SouthCoast is part of a national movement advancing gender, racial, and economic justice. As one of 16 members of the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives (NPCYWI), we work to ensure that young women and gender-expansive youth—especially youth of color—have the power, resources, and opportunities to lead.
YWI places young people at the center of decision-making. We don’t speak for youth—we partner with them, learn from them, and invest in their leadership.
Youth Investment Council: New Bedford (NEW)
Young people are helping shape New Bedford’s future. In partnership with Atrius Health Equity Foundation, Women’s Fund SouthCoast convenes a Youth Investment Council of approximately 12 young people across genders and races. Members will use their lived experiences and a gender, racial, and economic justice lens to help direct up to $355,000 to organizations advancing youth leadership, civic engagement, and organizing to improve youth health.
Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) New Bedford and Fall River Cohorts
At the heart of YWI is the Young Women’s Advisory Council, a leadership cohort of young women and gender-expansive youth ages 14–22 with strong ties to New Bedford, Fall River and the SouthCoast. YWAC members meet twice a month to:
- Build leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills
- Conduct community-based research
- Advise WFSC on issues impacting young people
- Practice participatory grantmaking
- Mobilize peers around policy and social change
- Access mentors and expand their social and economic capital
Each year, YWAC invests $20,000 in youth-led grantmaking to fund solutions created by and for young people in our region.
YWI is not a program—it is a leadership pipeline. It is a space where youth learn to influence policy, shape public dialogue, and move systems toward equity.
Community-Led Curriculum and Local Partners
YWI is intentionally community-rooted. Our curriculum is co-created and delivered by local women-led organizations and regional social justice leaders who reflect the lived experiences of the youth we serve.
Curriculum and community partners include
These partners weave together leadership development, healing, identity, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and social justice frameworks.
- Mujeres Victoriosas
- Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce
- Arise for Social Justice
- Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW)
- Vivian Smith-Barnes, mental health specialist
Philanthropic collaborators include
Their investment strengthens youth leadership, research, mentoring, and participatory grantmaking across the SouthCoast.
- SouthCoast Community Foundation
- Island Foundation
- Carney Family Foundation
- Bristol County Savings Bank
- New York Women's Foundation
- Hawthorn Medical Associates
- Senator Montigny's Children's Fund
Our Impact (2024–2026)
- 30 young leaders participated as YWAC members and Peer Mentor Fellows.
- Youth conducted research on education access, program availability, internalized oppression, and media representation—shaping WFSC’s advocacy priorities.
- YWAC published a youth-led policy brief, their first contribution to regional policy dialogue.
- The Council invested $40,000 in youth-driven mental health, belonging, and creative-expression projects.
- Members strengthened skills in public speaking, facilitation, organizing, and civic engagement.
- YWI leaders represented WFSC at the State House, regional conferences, and national youth leadership forums.
By the end of the pilot year
- 100% of participants said YWAC changed how they see themselves as leaders.
- 100% gained new tools and insights that deepened their understanding of advocacy and justice.
- 80% took on new leadership roles in their schools and communities.
Youth Voice
Peer Mentor Fellows (2025–2026)
Our Peer Mentor program supports returning YWAC leaders who want to deepen their facilitation, mentoring, and leadership skills.
Peer Mentor Fellows:
Why Youth Leadership & Civic Power Matters
Young women and gender-expansive youth—especially youth of color—hold the creativity, wisdom, and lived experience needed to shape a more just SouthCoast. Yet too often, they are left out of rooms where decisions are made.
Our programs create pathways for youth to:
- Lead grantmaking
- Influence public policy
- Build social and economic capital
- Access professional mentorship
- Strengthen their voice and agency
- Design solutions that reflect the needs of their communities
This is feminist philanthropy in action—youth-led, community-centered, and committed to systemic change
Learn More and Get Involved
Join YWAC New Bedford
Applications are now closed for the 2026-2027 cohort. Applications will reopen in June 2027 for the next cohort.
Join our new youth investment council (YIC)
Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 cohort. Applications will accepted until October 14, 2026.
Join YWAC Fall River
Applications will open soon! Stay tuned.
Read the YWAC Policy Brief
Explore the issues youth identified as most urgent for our region.
