"The cool thing about the program is that it carves out this space for Millennials to practice philanthropy. Theoretically, anyone could raise funds for an organization, but without leadership, support, and resources, it takes a lot to do it on your own. Advocates providing all of that is what makes Y-FAB so great. It has the potential to evolve into a powerful fundraising and organizing tool... "
– Elizabeth, Y-FAB Pilot Participant, Age 24

Fundraising is another form of organizing. Individuals give time, talent, or treasure to the causes and organizations they are passionate about or that move them to act. Millennials have high expectations for involvement, engagement, and responsiveness from the organizations that they support financially and/or with which they volunteer. Furthermore, nothing less than the future of the non-profit sector depends on Millennial and youth engagement as volunteers, donors, and leaders.

In the words of one of Advocates’ young board members: “We must train our young people now to ask, and be asked, for money since it is essential to being a part of a successful non-profit organization.”

Now in its second year, Advocates for Youth’s Youth Fundraising Advisory Board (Y-FAB) is seeking 20 new members for its August 2013 – May 2014 program.  Check out who was part of the Y-FAB program last year.

What is Y-FAB?

Y-FAB is a group of 20 young people who believe that all youth have the right to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.  To that end, they are passionate about learning fundraising skills and raising needed funds for Advocates for Youth’s mission to advocate for policies and champion programs that help meet young people’s rights to honest sexual health information, confidential and affordable sexual health services, and equitable opportunities to meet their full potential.
Y-FAB’s goals in 2013-2104 year include:

• Providing young people with fundraising knowledge and skills;
• Giving young people opportunities to test and grow their fundraising skills by setting a $10,000 goal for Y-FAB to raise by May 2014;
• Engaging Advocates’ Board of Director as mentors;
• Creating a pipeline of current and future Millennial donors;
• Considering Y-FAB alumni as a pipeline for potential recruitment to Advocates’ Board of Directors and other Boards.

Who Should Apply to Join?

We are looking for individuals ages 18 - 30 that live in the United States and who are:

• Committed to sexual and reproductive health issues such as teen pregnancy and HIV/STI prevention; contraceptive access; sex education; abortion rights; international family planning; and/or gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) advocacy in the US and abroad.
• Interested in learning more about fundraising and willing to test and apply the skills being learned to help raise funds for Advocates for Youth.
• Self-directed and comfortable in a virtual learning environment including working with a team and a team leader via conference calls, email, and social media.
• Able to commit to 4-6 hours of Y-FAB per month which includes attending at least five monthly webinars, actively participant in at least two organizing conference calls with their virtual team between August 2013 and May 2014, and contributing to an active Facebook group and listserv.
• Interested in being a leader in the non-profit sector as a staff or board member where knowledge and skills in fundraising are essential.

Preference will be given to young people who are alumni of or are currently involved with other Advocates for Youth programs. 

Note: Those not chosen to join Y-FAB may be offered a spot in the FriendRaisers program.

What Are the Benefits?
Y-FAB members will receive:

• Exclusive skills-building training on monthly webinar topics such as Fundraising 101, Planning and Executing Successful Fundraising Events, How to Find and Cultivate Donors and Best Practices in Using Online Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Page. Previous speakers included representatives from the American Red Cross, Blackbaud, Truman National Security Project, Smithsonian Institution, Junior Achievement, and the National Conference of Jewish Women
• Ongoing resources to help with fundraising efforts, including a fundraising toolkit, an online fundraising page, and personalized coaching.
• Networking opportunities with other youth leaders (via a listserv, Facebook, and conference calls) and past Y-FAB alumni.
• Access to community leaders who can provide practical advice or solutions to leadership challenges such as Advocates’ Board of Directors, senior staff, and other professionals in the nonprofit field.

What Do Previous Members of Y-FAB Say About the Program?

• “All of the information about fundraising and development will help me professionally. Personally, knowing that I contributed to such a worthwhile organization has made all of these efforts worth it.”
• “Every component makes me feel like Y-FAB has been successful thus far! Despite being an inaugural program we have been lucky to learn from important and experienced speakers, and to share our experiences with our peers in a useful way.”
• “I've made some awesome professional contacts (without much effort at all). I enjoyed the trainings and was so impressed with how much attention Advocates gave to this board. It was a wonderful experience and I hope it doesn't ever end!”

What are the Requirements?
No prior fundraising experience is necessary but Y-FAB members should anticipate spending 4-6 hours per month on activities, webinars or testing their fundraising skills. Y-FAB members will communicate via e-mail, listserv, social media, webinar, and conference calls. No travel is necessary. Y-FAB members must be willing to commit to a one-year term from August 2013-May 2014, during which they must attend at least five online fundraising webinars, participate in at least two conference calls with their team, and make every effort to reach their team fundraising goal. Fundraising goals will be determined in consultation with your team leader (teams to be assigned) at the beginning of the term.

How Do I Submit my Application?
This application can found at here. Applications are due by June 30th at midnight. If you have questions, you can email Laura Orella at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .