Young people care about their communities. Our Gen Z Civic Vibe Check found that 9 in 10 young Americans care deeply about where they live. What holds them back isn’t apathy. It’s not knowing how to start.
This year, more young people found that start. The C&S 2025–26 Annual Report, out today, shows what that looks like on campuses, in communities, and at work. Across all three, our work reached more than one million young people.
Here’s a look inside.
On campuses. 142 college presidents across 34 states and Washington, D.C., now lead the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition, together reaching more than one million students. 662 educators joined our Faculty Institute, and 39 colleges are making civic preparation part of the full student experience through Campuswide Immersion. At James Madison University, guided conversations now reach about 5,000 incoming students in their first days on campus.
In communities. 500 Carnegie Young Leaders from 27 states and Washington, D.C., turned local ideas into action: voter registration drives, food rescue networks, financial literacy workshops and more.
At work. With the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we piloted Civics Academy with more than 40 companies. Almost half of participants said they’re now more likely to talk with people who hold different political views.
Young people also shaped the work from the inside. Ten members of our Youth Advisory Council, ages 14 to 24, advised C&S leadership on strategy, programs and priorities, and helped design the council itself.
Across every setting, young people practice three essential civic skills: having productive conversations, using credible information, and collaborating to create solutions.
What’s next. In 2026, C&S committed to spark 20 million young people as civic problem-solvers by 2029. This year built the foundation. Now we’re scaling it.
The full C&S 2025–26 Annual Report is available here.
