About Us

The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partners to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. A trusted resource for policy makers, advocates, researchers and program professionals, the Forum provides youth and adult leaders with the information, connections and tools they need to create greater opportunities and outcomes for young people.


Our Vision
All children and youth are ready for college, work and life. All families and communities are supportive. All leaders are effective.

Our Mission
To create opportunities and incentives for youth and adult leaders to think differently, act differently and act together because they are:

  • linked by core beliefs about what is needed,
  • guided by a shared sense of accountability,
  • girded by compelling data, and
  • driven by a common desire to ensure that all children, youth, families and communities have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed.

Our Strategies
The Forum moves ideas to impact by:

  • bringing research, policy and practice knowledge and perspectives into all of its work,
  • working with leaders across all systems and sectors from the frontline to the state house, and
  • working with partners at the national, state and local levels.

Our Supporters
The Forum receives support from private foundations, corporations, state and local governments, nonprofits and individuals. Our major supporters over the past 3 years have included Altria’s tobacco operating companies (Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and John Middleton Company), Atlantic Philanthropies, Cornerstones for Kids, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, JCPenney Afterschool Fund, the Michigan Department of Education, New Mexico Community Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Picower Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and the William T. Grant Foundation.

Learn how Federal workers can contribute to the Forum. The CFC code for the Forum is 67790.