Your Leadership Journey
Starts Here.
From Youth Ambassadors to Mona Champions
Find your purpose as part of a global movement for education and equity with one of our Mona Foundation youth programs.
At Mona Foundation, we nurture young people who want to make a difference. Ready to think critically, act ethically, and lead purposefully through service-based learning?
Whether you're just beginning to explore social impact or you're ready to lead alongside other young changemakers, Mona Foundation offers opportunities to learn, grow, and create meaningful impact.
Our youth programs are designed to help you explore global education, develop leadership skills, and discover how your unique talents can contribute to the well-being of your community—and the world.
Youth Ambassadors
Youth Fellows
Mona Champions
Join us in empowering the next generation of leaders.
Choose Your Path to Impact
New to mona foundation?
Become a Youth Ambassador
Become part of a global community of young people using their voices to expand access to education and create positive change.
The Youth Ambassador Program is a flexible, year-round opportunity for students who want to deepen their understanding of global education, leadership, and social impact while sharing Mona Foundation's mission in their schools and communities. Ambassadors receive monthly learning emails featuring stories from Mona's grassroots partners, leadership reflections, and opportunities to get involved through campaigns, events, service, and advocacy.
As a Youth Ambassador, you'll have opportunities to:
- Learn about global education and grassroots social change
- Raise awareness of Mona Foundation's mission and impact
- Engage your school, community, and social networks in meaningful action
- Participate in volunteer opportunities, campaigns, and special events
This year-round program is available on a rolling basis for students ages 12-18.
ready for deeper impact?
Empowering Youth Through Fellowship
Grow as a leader. Build lifelong connections. Create meaningful impact. The Mona Foundation Youth Fellowship is an immersive 8-month leadership program for high school students who are passionate about education, service, and creating positive change. Through monthly virtual workshops, conversations with global changemakers, mentorship, and hands-on fundraising projects, Fellows develop practical leadership, communication, and community engagement skills while learning about grassroots efforts to expand access to education around the world.
Program Details
- Duration: October–May (8 months)
- Eligibility: Students ages 14–18 in the U.S. and Canada
- Cohort Size: Five Fellows selected each school year
Applications are now open. Selected Fellows for the 2026–27 cohort will be notified by the end of September 2026.
Learn from Inspiring Changemakers
Learn directly from nonprofit leaders, grassroots educators, and social impact professionals who are creating lasting change around the world. Through their stories and experiences, you'll gain a deeper understanding of grassroots development, learn how meaningful relationships and storytelling inspire collective action, and develop the confidence to engage your own community in creating positive change.
Facilitators include:
Marco Bollinger
Filmmaker, Director of "Light and Air"
Session: Impact Storytelling
Shiva Riddell
Community Activist, Mona Advisory Board
Session: Peer-to-Peer Fundraising & Move4Mona
Laura Baerwolf
Mona Foundation Managing Director
Session: Philanthropy & Mona's Approach
Beyond Resume Building: Real Development & Impact
Personal Transformation
Build confidence through meaningful action, strengthen your critical thinking, and discover a deeper sense of purpose rooted in service. Along the way, you'll experience the joy of contributing to something greater than yourself.
Community Leadership
Gain hands-on experience identifying community needs, designing meaningful service initiatives, and leading projects that create positive change. You'll receive guidance from experienced nonprofit leaders and changemakers who will help you grow as a confident, compassionate leader.
Professional Recognition
Build a portfolio of meaningful projects, receive mentorship and references from nonprofit leaders, and develop real-world leadership experiences that will strengthen your college, scholarship, and future career applications.
Meet some of our Ambassador Alumni
Samira’s journey began while scrolling social media on World Youth Day when something clicked.
She saw stories of kids her age without access to education and couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to do something.
Within a year, this Toronto high schooler turned that spark into real impact: raising $3,500 through Move4Mona (enough to send 25 children to school for a year), creating a community reading program to fight isolation, and proving that "change starts one person at a time."
What seemed impossible—making a meaningful difference—became achievable through Mona's Youth Ambassador program, where she found mentorship, resources, and a network of supportive peers.
Samira's biggest revelation?
"You don't necessarily have to raise thousands of dollars to be considered an activist... if I inspire one person, I've already succeeded."
Starting with just two friends at a school club fair, her influence grew organically, showing that even small beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes when paired with the right support system and genuine passion for service.
Brenden had an uneventful freshman year, so he decided to "do something" his junior year.
Drawing on his family's long connection to Mona Foundation, he and friend Alec started their own Global Citizens Club, gaining 12 committed members.
When their Move4Mona 5K at Santa Monica Pier and bake sale raised $850, enough to send 6-7 children to school for a year, Brenden was "super blown away" by the impact.
Pushing back against the "woman's thing" misconception, he emphasized Mona's work is "a human thing," surprised by how many male friends genuinely connected with the mission.
From an uninspired freshman to a leader creating real change, Brenden discovered that service creates a "thread that connects us" and "will eventually benefit the whole world."
His advice to other young people?
"Just do it! Really. Just take the initiative."
As age 9, Nessa discovered something powerful: she didn't have to wait until she was older to change lives.
Starting with a simple lemonade stand, she raised thousands of dollars for a Mona partner organization and then traveled to Panama as a 6th grader to meet students she helped educate.
By age 15, Nessa had started a service club at her school and joined the first cohort of Mona Youth Ambassadors. Over the years, her Move4Mona 5Ks have raised over $5,800 and successfully engaged her peers and community in supporting education and gender equality.
"I realized that with this role of 'Youth Ambassador' I could really bring out my full potential," Nessa explains, describing her evolution from convincing classmates to join her cause to recruiting five friends for her Move4Mona 5K walk.
What keeps her going isn't just the impact—it's that "so good" feeling of knowing her efforts have "changed someone's day or even changed someone else's life."
In 2024, Nessa visited two Mona partners in Colombia and is currently raising funds to build a classroom and library there. She also now serves on Mona's Youth Advisory Board.
"It's really changed my life and made me a better person," she says, encouraging other teens to join.
"If you are someone like me who enjoys making people's days...then this program is for you!"
