Overview
Generation Citizen is a nonprofit that strengthens civics education in U.S. public and charter middle and high schools. It runs an Action Civics program, a semester-long, project-based curriculum where students identify local problems, research root causes, and design and carry out action plans that involve real engagement with local government and community leaders. The program is supported by curriculum materials, teacher professional development, and trained college volunteers called Democracy Coaches who mentor students. Revenue comes from grants, donations, and school partnership fees scaled by ability to pay, with additional funding through foundations and advocacy work to secure public support for civics education. The organization targets students in low-income communities to close the civic engagement gap and aims to equip youth with civic knowledge, skills, and confidence to effect change in their communities.
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Carnegie backed GC in March 2025 to expand to 8,000 students.
- More Perfect funded March 2026 digital media literacy and voter registration expansion.
- Papitto support kept Rhode Island programming alive, reaching 5,000 students across cities.
What critics are saying
- 2025 expenses of $5.78 million exceeded revenue of $3.72 million, tightening runway.
- GC's donor dependence exposes programs if MacKenzie Scott-scale gifts stop after 2025.
- State backlash against action civics can block contracts and erase district adoption fast.
What makes Generation Citizen unique
- Action Civics pairs classroom curriculum with real community projects and local officials.
- GC's 2026 RISE Vote spans 15 states, linking civics lessons to registration.
- Equity in Civics positions GC as a field-builder, not just a vendor.
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