Next100

Next100 is part policy leadership development program to train a new set of proximate leaders to drive policy change; part start-up think tank that advances new forms of policy development and advocacy that reflect community priorities. We intentionally recruit and hire diverse Policy Entrepreneurs (PEs) with lived experience or proximity to impacted communities into two-year, full-time roles where, with substantial mentoring and support, they develop and manage their own projects to change policy while working alongside communities. PEs learn the issues, data, partners, and opportunities for change in their focus area (education, immigration, criminal justice, climate change); and receive training in critical policy changemaking skills (policy analysis, development, and research; communications and advocacy skills; and organizational skills). PEs have written dozens of policy and advocacy pieces, developed original policy ideas, spoken at events and introduced legislation alongside members of Congress, and worked to elevate the voices of impacted communities of color, from Native youth to undocumented families to the formerly incarcerated.