YBCL 2026 Youth Futures Fund Application

About People’s Climate Innovation Center and the Young Black Climate Leaders Youth Futures Fund:

People’s Climate Innovation Center (Climate Innovation) works nationally to build capacity for and deploy community-driven solutions to climate change that are rooted in racial justice. The realities of the climate crisis and the disproportionate impact climate chaos has on frontline communities, particularly Black communities, provide a clear and demonstrated need for access to resources and support that effectively contribute to solutions-making that is rooted in the needs, expertise, and leadership of those most impacted. As such, and to continue meeting this ongoing need, Climate Innovation is pleased to launch the next round of the Young Black Climate Leaders (YBCL) Youth Futures Fund!

The YBCL Youth Futures Fund provides financial awards to young Black climate leaders who are advocating for and transforming their communities toward racial and climate justice. The fund offers access to capacity-building support and resources for young Black climate leaders who are reshaping the broader climate movement. With a focus on centering local movements and initiatives, the YBCL Youth Futures Fund will uplift models of climate resistance and regenerative practices rooted in creativity and advancing transformative change.

The YBCL Youth Futures Fund supports young Black people who are taking the initiative to dismantle the delusion of white supremacy, its disproportionate impacts on Black communities and communities of color in general, and disrupt climate chaos. The fund will support a new generation of Black climate leaders to advance work and initiatives at the intersection of racial and climate justice by supporting the power of leaders who advocate for community participation and the reclamation of Indigenous ecological wisdom and practices across the African diaspora. 

Through an emphasis on liberatory arts and culture, story-based advocacy, cultural strategy, community organizing, transformative change, ecological principles, and leadership development, the YBCL Youth Futures Fund aims to support leaders who want to create and actualize their most irresistible freedom dreams from popular education to political and cultural organizing and more.

Funding Opportunity:

Funding is available for new projects or initiatives already in motion that need additional support.Funds may be used to cover training, classes, workshops, certifications, education costs, the purchase of tools and equipment, etc. Projects must be completed in a community or group setting and align with a community-driven approach that centers on the needs, impact, and solutions to and within the community. All awards will be considered based on the merit of each application. Fund recipients will be selected following a panel application review and (if needed) an interview process. We welcome previous applicants and alumni of our sibling program, Young Climate Leaders of Color (YCLC), who have applied in the past to re-apply, if interested. The exception to this is if you are part of the current YBCL or YCLC cohorts. Previous YBCL cohort members are not eligible to re-apply for additional funding, as core programming for YBCL will be standard for each incoming cohort training.

Funding levels:

• Soil - $2,000 awards
• Seed - $6,00 awards
• Water - $8,000 awards
• Grow - $10,000 awards

Funding Level Descriptions:

Soil- $2,000- This funding tier provides seed grants to projects in the “idea” phase. These are projects that may need support getting off the ground, proving the concept, etc. These projects may be in the beginning stages and need financial support, thought partnership, mentoring, additional resources, training, materials or skillshare to bring the idea to fruition. (We understand this project may be in the incubation and idea phase; therefore, short answers and answering the questions to the best of your ability is fully acceptable.)

Seed- $6,000- This funding tier supports projects that are beyond the idea phase but that still need support to scale and grow. Seed level funding might support the creation of a product (i.e. visual arts, presentation, event, etc.) or more intensive training to further advance work.

Water- $8,000- This funding tier supports more established projects. These projects have demonstrated a clear proof of concept, scale, etc., and are working to expand reach and impact. Water level funding might support more intensive training and skills building, fund targeted project needs, support scaling a project to reach more people, cover expenses such as stipends or vendors, etc. 

Grow- $10,000- This funding tier supports clearly well-established projects. These projects have demonstrated a clear proof of concept, scale, etc., and have previously shown their reach and impact. Grow level funding might support targeted project needs to further deepen and expand reach and continued scalability, in addition to intensive training, coaching, and skills building. 

Application criteria:

Applicants must:

1. Identify as Black, African, Afro-Latinx, and or part of the Afro-Indigenous diaspora.
2. Be based and implement their project in one of the following places: the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. Be 18-28 years old (OK to turn 18 by July 1 or 29 during the project).
4. Be available to complete a ZOOM interview - interviews will be scheduled between  May 11th - 15th, 2026  (if needed).

To receive funding, you must be able to commit to:

1. Making a one year commitment to complete the program as an active participant.
2. Signing an award agreement and providing a project reflection prior to  the conclusion of your project term. (Reflections can be in the form of videos, songs, blogs, photojournalism, zines, art, or interviews).
3. Completing all surveys and evaluations.
4. Attending at least six virtual bi-monthly learning calls/training (up to three (3) hours/month, with calls held approximately every other month).
5. Attending the YBCL virtual welcome/orientation session on June 25.
6. Attending an in-person gathering for 3-4 days during the week of July 27.(Travel expenses will be covered, and safety protocols for COVID in place, including masks, daily tests, and hand sanitizer. All staff and participants must test and report any positive results to staff).

Disbursement Policy

Funds disbursed by the YBCL program are considered taxable income. To acquire funds you must submit a W9 form.

The funds will be split into two (2) equal payments with the first half being received by September 30th of program year and the second upon receipt of your reflection assignment and attendance of 6 sessions.

By submitting this application you understand that you'll receive a tax form for the year in which you receive your disbursement.

KEY DATES

• Fund applications will be accepted from Monday, February 9  to  Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific.
• Interviews will be held from May 11 to May 15, 2026.
• Decisions will be announced by June 5, 2026.
• Virtual Orientation June 25, 2026
• In-person convening week of July 27 - 31, 2026
• First half of funds disbursed September 30, 2026

Please let us know if you need any special accommodations to submit an application.

You can review the FAQs here.

Please email YBCL@climateinnovation.net if you have additional questions that were not answered by the FAQs..