City Year’s vision is that one day the most commonly asked question of a young person will be, “Where are you going to do your service year?”

Grantee Profile

City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors and role models, these young leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods. Founded in Boston in 1988, City Year recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the launch of its 20th location, and its 200,000th hour of service.

About Our Grants

After eight years of supporting the national program, the Foundation helped launch City Year South Africa in 2005 and participated in the inaugural program when 118 young South Africans of all backgrounds united with a shared commitment to help build the newly democratic nation’s civic foundation. The diversity, size and service of City Year South Africa have helped it secure Presidents Clinton, Mandela and Mbeki as champions and in the four years since its founding, the corps size has doubled and there are now 250 young South Africans participating in City Year South Africa to build democracy through national service.