touch grass … roots movement organizer academy
The TGR Youth Fellowship builds the next generation of Black, Brown, and queer cultural organizers who understand civic systems, create narrative power, and lead campaigns rooted in cultural practice. In an election year and beyond, the Fellowship provides young people with the tools to organize, advocate, and build democratic culture in their communities.
Cohort Model (2-5 fellows per year) — A year-long fellowship with monthly convenings, skill-building workshops, mentorship, and project development support
Movement Communications Capstone Project — Each fellow designs and executes a cultural civic project: zine, pop-up exhibit, performance, voter education event, mutual aid clinic, digital storytelling campaign, etc. These are some basic ideas, but here are some more “out there” examples that we enjoy.
Stipends & Mentorship — Fellows receive stipends, access to civic mentors (local elected officials/staff, movement leaders, culture-makers), and possible support from Help Desk to execute their projects
Peer Learning & Network Building — Structured cohort time for fellows to share skills, resources, strategies, and build lasting relationships across creative disciplines and organizing spaces
government Infrastructure Civic Education
Our program offers interactive Government Structure Workshops that explain how city councils, state legislatures, and federal agencies function. Through Policy Process Training, participants learn the step-by-step journey of bills, budget cycles, and regulatory procedures. Public Funding Deep Dives provide clarity on discretionary funds, grants, contracts, and appropriations, making complex systems approachable. Finally, Lobbying & Advocacy Training equips learners with knowledge of legal frameworks, registration rules, and strategies for effective advocacy.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Mutual aid tool kit
Our program equips mutual aid organizers with the tools to build sustainable and impactful efforts. Through Needs Assessment & Community Mapping, participants learn to identify assets, gaps, and priority areas within their communities. Resource Mobilization workshops cover strategies for fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and developing strong partnerships to expand capacity. In Program Design, we focus on creating structures that ensure mutual aid networks thrive over the long term facilitate efficient aid distribution. Financial Management training introduces practical skills in budgeting, accounting, and compliance to keep organizations accountable and resilient. Finally, Crisis Response Planning prepares participants to act quickly and effectively in emergencies, developing rapid deployment strategies that protect and support community members when they need it most. Together, these sessions strengthen the foundation for mutual aid initiatives grounded in sustainability, collaboration, and community care.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
Creator-Focused Digital Organizing
Our Digital Strategy Development sessions show how to design online campaigns that strengthen offline organizing. Participants gain hands-on skills in Content Creation for Action, learning to craft narratives, graphics, and videos that inspire engagement. Through Platform-Specific Training, we explore effective use of social media, email, and mobile messaging. Community Building Online fosters sustained digital spaces for justice-focused movements, while Digital Security training ensures activists and organizations stay protected in their work.
movement communications
Our program strengthens the connection between art and activism by funding Artist-Activist Partnerships that bring cultural creators and community organizers together. Through Narrative Strategy Development, participants gain skills in storytelling, public narrative, and messaging to shift perspectives and inspire action. Media Production Support provides resources to produce podcasts, videos, visual art, and written content that amplify movement voices. Finally, Campaign Integration ensures that creative work is strategically aligned with policy initiatives and community organizing efforts, making art a powerful tool for social change.