Host a Statewide Partner Forum on MLK Day of Service

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A New Era of Youth Service in America Banner

Youth Service America (YSA) is seeking a statewide organization in each state to host a New Era of Youth Service in America Statewide Partner Forum on/around MLK Day of Service (Monday, January 19, 2026). Host organizations will receive a $1,000 grant. 


Grant funds may be used to cover your staff time and/or Forum event costs (technology, local transportation, food/refreshments, space, and/or meeting supplies). Indirect/administrative costs are not allowed.


We are still accepting applications for host organizations in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.


Promote YSA's New Era of Youth Service Community Partner survey.

  • Share the Community Partner survey with local organizations (K-12 schools & higher education institutions; out-of-school-time and positive youth development programs; and nonprofit community-based and faith-based organizations) and ask them to complete by January 4.
  • YSA will provide host organizations will all responses from their state as well as a national summary. Host organization is expected to review state responses to identify any state-specific trends and share during the Forum.

Set date and format for your state's Statewide Partner Forum. 

  • Select a date on/around MLK Day of Service (January 19, 2026). Ideally, Forums should take place within a week of MLK Day (Monday, January 12 - Monday, January 26), but we can be flexible within the month of January.
  • Select a format (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) that will allow the most participation. We recognize that virtual or hybrid options are likely the best option for larger states to avoid travel time and costs for participants.

Invite participants and confirm 25-50+ participants.

  • Invite representatives of statewide organizations to participate. (List of recommended invitees to be provided by YSA - see the relationship question checklist below.) YSA will do outreach through national networks and direct state offices/affiliates to you.
  • We recommend that you invite each organization to have at least one staff member and one youth leader participate, and allow for larger teams if possible.

Host Forum on/around MLK Day of Service.

  • Develop an agenda for the Forum. YSA will provide a template agenda that you can adapt to best fit your state's existing partnerships, previous discussions on this topic, or other related initiatives.
  • Serve as facilitator (or identify a facilitator).

Provide notes and list of attendees to YSA and participate in a debrief session.

  • Take thorough notes of Forum discussions, document all participants (sign-in/check-in sheet), and complete a one-page summary report (template to be provided by YSA). Submit to YSA by January 31, 2026.
  • Participate in a debrief session of Host Organizations to be scheduled in February 2026.
Person who will receive emailed eCheck


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