Eligible grades: all SFUSD students in grades K-12. Each week, Kindergarten to College (K2C) will feature a different college on its website and social media channels, giving students the opportunity to take virtual campus tours and enter a chance to win a $100 scholarship for their K2C account. A total of 100 scholarship recipients will be announced on the K2C website by Friday, August 21, 2026. First-generation college students, students from low-income households, and those from groups underrepresented in higher education are especially encouraged to participate. Enter to win every Monday between July 6 and August 3, 2026.

View details about the K2C Summer Virtual Tour Contest

Eligible ages: 14 to 20. The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Youth Advisory Council gives youth who identify as girls and women a chance to help shape policies that affect their lives. Council members work with state leaders, connect with youth from across California, and learn about advocacy, leadership, and the legislative process. Participants also receive mentorship and gain hands-on experience sharing ideas and recommendations to support young people throughout the state. Applications are due by July 15, 2026.

View more details about the Youth Advisory Council

Eligible ages: All. Celebrate the 30th Annual Urban Youth Arts Festival at Precita Park (3200 Folsom Street) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from noon to 5 p.m. Hosted by Precita Eyes Muralists, the festival begins with the unveiling of a new tile mosaic mural on the park's restroom from noon to 1 p.m., followed by an afternoon of live performances, DJ sets, free spray-painting supplies, and more.

View more details about the Urban Youth Arts Festival

Eligible ages: 13 to 18. The District 1 Youth Council gives young people a chance to share their ideas and make a difference in San Francisco's Richmond District. Council members work with community leaders to speak up about issues that matter to youth, help plan events, and support projects that improve their schools and neighborhoods. Throughout the year, members build leadership skills, learn how local government works, and work together to create positive change in their community. Youth who live in or attend school in District 1 are encouraged to apply and help shape the future of their district. Applications are due by July 31, 2026.

View more details about the SF District 1 Youth Council

Eligible ages: 14 to 17. Next Gen is a free afterschool program for San Francisco youth where students learn video production or animation, create original projects, build a portfolio, and work alongside teaching artists and peers in a supportive, creative environment. NextGen will take place between October and December 2026, and students who complete the program receive a $300 stipend. Interest forms will be accepted until early fall 2026.

View details about NextGen

Eligible ages: 12 to 24. Community Health Programs for Youth offers free, confidential mental health services. From trauma-informed care to short-term counseling and substance use support, their team meets youth where they are, in schools, clinics, and community spaces.

View details about Community Health Programs for Youth

Eligible ages: 12 to 24. LYRIC's Community Drop-In Space provides a welcoming and affirming place for LGBTQQ+ youth ages 12–24 to build community, connect with peers, and access resources. Participants can learn about LGBTQQ+ identities and history, find support, and enjoy activities, workshops, and games in a safe and inclusive environment. The drop-in space is open Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. at 127 Collingwood Street, and a free hot meal is served every Wednesday.

For more information, contact the Program Coordinator at lux@lyric.org, or the Program Manager at jasmine@lyric.org

Eligible ages: 8 to 21. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people grow and reach their potential. The program matches youth with trained adult mentors through a careful process that focuses on safety, commitment, and strong connections. Youth are referred by parents, guardians, teachers, and social workers, and the program serves families across all nine Bay Area counties. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area Mentorship Program

Eligible ages: 14 to 25. Calling all California youth! The Youth Empowerment Commission invites young Californians to apply for our Youth Empowerment Commissioner positions. This is your opportunity to develop your leadership skills, influence positive change, and help build a stronger, more vibrant community for all youth. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and youth can apply at any time.

View details about the Youth Empowerment Commission

Eligible ages: 16 to 46. Italy will host the Youth Democracy Summit 2026 in the historic city of Rome from October 1-4, 2026. Organized by the Center for International Policy and Sustainability, this global convening will bring together 300 young leaders and professionals from across the world to engage in high-level dialogue, policymaking, and leadership development focused on democracy, governance, and global cooperation. With 120 global scholarship seats (covering major travel and accommodation expenses) and 180 confirmed participation seats, the forum offers a unique opportunity to experience international policymaking, institutional exposure, and cultural exchange in one of the world's most iconic capitals. Applications are due by August 10, 2026.

View more details about the Youth Democracy Summit 2026

Eligible grade: high school juniors. Destined for College is a free program from ScholarMatch that helps high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college. Students join the virtual program during their senior year and meet once a month with a college coach by phone, text, email, or video. Coaches help students explore college options, review financial aid offers, write personal statements, search for scholarships, fill out financial aid forms, and solve any problems with their college applications. Applications are due by September 18, 2026.

View details about ScholarMatch's Destined for College Program!

Eligible grades: 11 and 12. The Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program helps train more Black and Pacific Islander teachers to work with young children in San Francisco. The Transitional Age Youth Pathway, which is for youth in grades 11 and 12, helps young adults earn an Assistant Teacher Permit. In this pathway, participants learn in a small group with others, earn college credits, and have their tuition paid for. They also receive tutoring and support from coaches and mentors. Participants can join affinity groups, build strong friendships, and connect to jobs at early childhood education centers in San Francisco. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Get zero-cost services from our job centers designed for youth and young adults who are between the ages 16 to 24.

View details about finding a job center for youth and young adults

Eligible ages: 17-24. New Door Ventures helps young people in San Francisco get on the path to good jobs and financial stability. In their six-month program, 15–20 youth join as a group of interns. They learn job skills, work together, and support each other during their internships. Applications are accepted all year.

View details about the New Door Ventures Employment Program

Eligible ages: 16 and 17. Online pre-registration to vote is available for California youth who are 16 or 17 years old. Young people can sign up so they are ready to vote when they turn 18. Pre-registration does not change the voting age, which is still 18: it simply allows teens to fill out the voter registration form early. To pre-register, a person must be a United States citizen, live in California, not be serving a state or federal prison sentence for a felony, and not be found mentally unable to vote by a court.

View details about pre-registering to vote

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. The Adult Pathway of the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program supports young adults who want to become early childhood educators in San Francisco. This pathway helps participants earn an Assistant Teacher Permit. Students learn in a small group with others, earn college credits, and have their tuition paid for. They receive tutoring and support from coaches and mentors along the way. Participants can join affinity groups, build strong professional connections, and connect to jobs at early childhood education centers in San Francisco. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

View details about the Black and BIPOC Early Educator Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Eligible ages: 18-24. Are you in school, working, or somewhere in between? You may be eligible for cash, food, and health care benefit programs to make ends meet. Applications for benefits programs are always open.

View details about Public Benefits for Young Adults

Eligible ages: 18 to 26. The Booker T. Washington Community Service Center's Transitional Age Youth Program supports young adults as they build independence and figure out what’s next. Participants can get one-on-one support, help finding a job, and join workshops on money, mental health, parenting, and everyday life skills. There are also community events and peer support, with both drop-in and group sessions so people can connect, learn, and grow together.

View details about the Transitional Age Youth program

If you graduated from a San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) or SFUSD affiliated charter school in the Class of 2025, 2024, or 2023, then you have at least $50 in your K2C account, plus any contributions or incentives to continue your education after high school! There is no deadline to claim your money.

View details about claiming your Kindergarten to College money

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. LYRIC offers paid internships all year and invites young people to fill out a form if they are interested. The Youth Ambassadors program is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual youth and allies, where participants build job skills, work on projects related to their goals, and help run LYRIC programs. The program takes place in set cohorts, with dates shared once they are confirmed. Interns work about 10 hours a week, Monday through Friday for two hours each day, and are paid an hourly wage. The internship location is shared only with those who are selected.

View details about LYRIC Youth Ambassadors

Eligible ages: 18 to 24. Mission Language & Vocational School offers a bilingual (English and Spanish) Hospitality Training Program for young adults who want to work in the hospitality industry. In this program, students get hands-on experience at Jim’s Restaurant in the Mission and earn industry certificates when they finish. The program is for San Francisco residents who are currently unemployed or underemployed and interested in hospitality careers. Participants must be able to attend about 10 hours a week for 8 weeks.

View details about the Mission Language and Vocational School's Hospitality Training Program

Eligible ages: 18 and up. Get trained and qualified for a DMV Class B Permit to begin a career in transportation with the CityDrive program. Services are offered at no cost, including free access to services and job referrals.

View details about applying to train for a career in transportation

Eligible ages: 18 and up. OEWD's Hospitality Initiative prepares you for a career in hospitality at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced hospitality workers.

View details about applying to train for a career in hospitality

Eligible ages: 18 and up. CityBuild provides industry-recognized training for construction and construction administration to San Francisco residents.

View details about applying to train for a career in construction

Eligible ages: 18 and up. The SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development's TechSF program prepares you for a career in technology by offering training programs at no cost to participants.

View details about applying to train for a career in technology

Eligible ages: 18 and up. The SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development's HealthCare Academy prepares you for a career in healthcare at no cost. Open to both beginners and experienced healthcare workers.

View details about applying to train for a career in healthcare