Civic Bridgers is a Minnesota-based nonpartisan nonprofit on a mission to strengthen democracy and heal polarization through bridging divides. In March 2026, America's Future Summit celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States, hosted by Civic Bridgers in partnership with YMCA and NYLC.
America’s Future Summit (AFS) is a two-day civic leadership accelerator that convenes Minnesota’s top 250 teens to innovate civic solutions in three fields: climate, education, and media. Working in teams, students step into real-world leadership roles (CEO, COO, CFO, CMO, CPO) to design actionable, community-rooted solutions using curated portfolios of primary sources and local data. The summit positions young people on the horizon of innovation — where civic responsibility meets bold, future-focused leadership.
We envision a revival of pluralism led by Civic Bridgers modeling humanity, humility, and accountability. We reconnect people with civic life and with each other through immersive, hands-on learning experiences and mentorship that break down fences of division, such as toxic partisanship, purity tests, and stereotyping. At America's Future Summit, we prepare Civic Bridgers to leverage collective power and viewpoint diversity to solve some of our nation’s greatest challenges. We invite volunteers of all backgrounds to serve this mission at different capacities, before the event and at the event on March 9 & 10.
Before the March 2026, volunteers can:
- Support recruitment efforts. Post flyers in your neighborhood, connect with your church youth groups, introduce us to your local high school, anything helps!
- Advise on programming materials. Review, edit, leave comments on programming materials like the curated portfolios or breakout session handouts.
At the event, volunteers can:
- Support programming logistics. Help us set up materials, prepare breakout room layouts, all hands on deck!
- Facilitate a breakout session. We are looking for industry professionals across the environment, education, and media fields to speak on panels.
- Advise student groups. Proof-read project proposals, support design and youth innovation, help with pitch development, etc.
- Judge the pitch competition. With guided rubrics, evaluate pitches and provide feedback for student groups.
Ready to start? Fill out this form or reach out to Jill Carey (jill@civicbridgers.org)!
