HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – More than $800,000 aimed at boosting youth voter turnout in Harris County has been awarded — and the decisions were made by the community itself.
Through a unique participatory grantmaking process hosted by Collective Action for Youth, residents — not politicians or private foundations — decided which local and national nonprofits would receive funding to mobilize voters ages 18 to 35 ahead of the 2026 elections.
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Inside the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, democracy was on full display. Community members sat side-by-side with nonprofit leaders, reviewing proposals, debating funding formulas, and ultimately building consensus on how to invest more than $822,000 in voter engagement programs.
“Honestly, it’s not every day that the public has a voice with how public dollars are spent. We believe that nothing happens with the community without the community,” Bradi Lewis with Collective Action For Youth said.
Lewis says the goal of the process is simple: transparency and impact. The community ultimately decided to fund 42 grassroots organizations, targeting a demographic that historically turns out at lower rates — voters ages 18 to 35.
“This is just going to create a voice and a pathway to success for organizations that usually wouldn’t get that opportunity,” Lewis said.
Putting funding decisions in the hands of the community also helps rebuild trust at a time when confidence in institutions is low. The Social Justice Learning Institute received funding for the first time — more than $14,000 — to amplify youth voices.
“We really want to know what our young people care about. We want them to be the next generation that carries the mantle, runs for public office, and engages their communities.”
Kimberly Upchurch, Social Justice Learning Institute
Youth-led organizations like Alief Votes, which received more than $28,000, say the funding is about empowerment.
“This is a way for students to recognize that regardless of status or age, you too can be civically engaged and make a difference in your community.”
Abby Gail Trineio, Alief Votes
Organizers hope this participatory grantmaking model becomes a long-term approach for distributing civic funding in Harris County.