Nonprofit Aims to Boost Gen Z Civic Engagement Through Small Actions

C&S initiative invites partners to encourage young people to take simple public-spirited steps.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A well-connected, privately-funded nonprofit called C&S is launching an initiative to improve civic engagement among young people aged 14-24. The goal is to empower 20 million Gen Zers to take simple actions like contacting elected officials, volunteering locally, or hosting community conversations over the next three years. The nonprofit sees small, approachable steps as the key to building young people's sense of agency and willingness to address shared challenges.

Why it matters

The effort aims to counter narratives that Gen Z is disengaged, and is part of a broader push to promote 'informal volunteering' and grassroots civic participation among younger generations. C&S believes providing low-barrier opportunities for action can help overcome the biggest barriers to youth civic engagement - not knowing where to start and doubting their ability to make a difference.

The details

C&S is inviting schools, employers, and other partners to encourage young people to take actions like calling elected representatives, volunteering locally, or hosting public conversations with neighbors. The nonprofit's internal research suggests young people will get involved if they see their participation having meaningful impact and are given the chance to develop solutions themselves. C&S is launching an online participation platform this summer to highlight how small individual actions can catalyze national change, and is also providing specialized support and coaching to 500 young changemakers.

  • The C&S initiative was announced on February 25, 2026.
  • The online participation platform is launching this summer as part of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The players

C&S

A well-connected, privately-funded nonprofit previously known as the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, which is leading the initiative to boost civic engagement among Gen Z.

Rajiv Vinnakota

The president of C&S, who emphasized the importance of providing young people with small, approachable civic actions to build their sense of agency.

Jennifer Sirangelo

The president and CEO of Points of Light, a nonprofit that wants to double American volunteerism by 2035, who finds that younger people tend to embrace informal, self-directed service opportunities.

Carnegie Corporation of New York

The organization that is providing funding and support for C&S's existing leadership program for young changemakers.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Partnering with C&S on a new workplace-based initiative to teach young professionals how to become better teammates and citizens.

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What they’re saying

“You're not going to immediately go to a gym and try to bench press 325 pounds. You're gonna start easy, simple, something you can do — both to affirm and start to build your muscle.”

— Rajiv Vinnakota, President, C&S (kob.com)

“Gen Z wants to do it fast, they want to do it authentic, they want to do it right now. They don't have time — no patience for institutions or signing up.”

— Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, Points of Light (kob.com)

What’s next

C&S is currently enlisting 25 companies for a pilot program with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to teach young professionals how to become better teammates and citizens.

The takeaway

By providing low-barrier opportunities for young people to take small, meaningful civic actions, C&S aims to empower Gen Z to address shared challenges and strengthen their sense of agency and community commitment - a strategy that could help bridge divides and reinvigorate American democracy.