NYC FutureForward

In response to the unique barriers faced by justice-involved youth, NYC FutureForward is a localized, hybrid leadership development program created for emerging young leaders aged 18–25 who live in New York City and have been impacted by the criminal legal system. 

Designed to meet participants where they are, the program includes both in-person gatherings and virtual sessions, ensuring flexible and accessible engagement throughout the experience.

This NYC-specific cohort centers historically marginalized young people—offering intensive capacity building, mentorship, and leadership development in a culturally grounded and trauma-informed environment. Participants receive targeted support to transform their lived expertise into strategies that challenge injustice and create systems change.

At Canary Impact, we close the gap in direct investment for formerly incarcerated leaders. Our approach is grounded in trusting people over projects—providing low-barrier access to leadership development and seed funding for bold social justice solutions. Through this hybrid program, we support young leaders in NYC to reshape narratives, reduce recidivism, and reimagine justice in their communities.

NYC Core Pillars:

• Cultivation: Building a collaborative NYC-based network of young social justice entrepreneurs who share, learn, and co-create new solutions
• Innovation: Elevating the visionary thinking and lived expertise of youth to drive decarceration, community healing, and systemic transformation
• Big Bets: Investing in the next generation of changemakers working on issues like criminal justice reform, gender equity, disability justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more

The Journey Includes:

• Monetary Seed: A $10,000 award to support the development or growth of a participant’s initiative or vision
• Nine-Month Nurturing: A holistic program combining in-person and virtual experiences to build skills, refine ideas, and deepen impact
• Cohort Camaraderie: A vibrant peer community that fosters trust, shared learning, and collective leadership
• Capacity Building: Interactive workshops and mentorship to support self-reliance, critical thinking, and community-centered leadership

NYC Future Forward is more than a program—it’s a movement to uplift youth closest to the problems as architects of the solutions.

Eligibility

To apply for the NYC Future Forward Program, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be aged 18 to 25.
• Must live in NYC (one of the five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island)
• Have a history of incarceration
• Have an innovative idea that will lead to systemic change
• Propose work that excludes lobbying activities
• Not have previously received Canary Impact’s 10-for-10 or NextWave Leadership Programs 
• Please note that priority will be given to those who have not received funding *

Timeline

• June 1st  – First Application Opens
• June 12th  – Webinar at 3 PM EST 
• June 26th – Priority deadline 5 PM EST 
• July 17th  – First Application Closes at 8 PM EST
• July 20th – INVITE ONLY: Conversation
• July 24th – Second Application Opens 
• August 7th  – Second Application Closes 
• August 12th  – Winners notified 
• August 17th  – Collection of Documents DUE 
• August 21st – Public Announcement 
• September  1st – Program Begins
• October – In-Person gathering 

IMPORTANT: Please review the linked Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Webinar.

*Note: If you have already received one of the prestigious awards in our sector, such as the David Prize, Galaxy Gives Fellowship, Soros Fellowship, or MacArthur Award, we're proud of you. However, Canary Impact seeks to support leaders who have not yet achieved that level of success and recognition.

We do not have a specific word count and encourage all applicants to provide the most detail to the best of their ability. We recommend drafting and editing your ideas somewhere else (on paper or in Google Docs) before submitting your responses. The reviewers need to understand your idea, so we encourage you to have a friend or colleague read your responses before submission.

Canary Impact is looking to identify and actively engage three justice-involved young individuals to play a critical role in the development of the NextWave Leadership program. Selected participants will collaborate closely with program facilitators to ensure the curriculum is grounded in real-life experience and address the unique challenges faced by justice-involved youth.

Timeline:

• Applications will be accepted until Friday, June. 12th, 2026 at 8 PM. 
• Interviews will be taking place from June 8th to June 16th, 2026.
• This consulting position will run from June 22nd to December 21st, 2026.

Requirements: 

• Must be based in New York City
• Must be a young person between the ages of 18 to 25 with lived expertise in the youth legal system.
• Must have some experience and understanding of grant making, grant process, and grant resources. 
• Must be available to work up to 12 hours per month from June 22nd, 2026, to December 21st, 2026.
• This is a hybrid consulting opportunity. Participants will be expected to participate in virtual meetings and occasional in-person meetings, gatherings, or program-related activities in New York City.
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal growth, leadership, and community engagement.
• Willingness to collaborate and contribute ideas in a team setting.

Responsibilities: 

• Leadership & Advocacy: Serve as a peer leader and advocate for justice-involved youth while contributing to conversations around equity, leadership, systems change, and investment in impacted communities.
• Program Design & Development: Collaborate with Canary Impact staff to help shape and strengthen the overall participant experience, program structure, activities, and engagement strategies. 
• Selection Process & Application Review: Participate in reviewing applications, discussing finalist recommendations, and supporting a thoughtful and equitable participant selection process.
• Capacity Building & Participant Support: Provide encouragement, guidance, feedback, and occasional one-on-one support to program participants to help strengthen leadership development, project growth, engagement, and overall participant experience.
• Outreach & Recruitment Support: Assist in identifying outreach opportunities and strategies to help ensure diverse representation and accessibility within the applicant pool. 
• Strategic Feedback & Reflection: Provide ongoing feedback, recommendations, and reflections on program strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth

Benefits of Participation:

• Earn $70 per hour for up to 12 hours per month, for a duration of 4 to 6 months.
• Opportunity to shape a meaningful program that directly impacts peers.
• Leadership development and professional skill-building.
• Connect with professionals, mentors, and peers who can provide guidance and support.
• Gain valuable experience in program design, advocacy, and decision-making