Community Organizations, Contests and Other Opportunities

Check out these leadership opportunities within community organizations, contests, publications, etc.
open to San Francisco high school students!

Organizations to Join

  • SFUSD (San Francisco Unified School District) Student Advisory Council is a citywide, youth-led organization that is committed to providing a voice for the students of the San Francisco Unified School District by representing and presenting the interests of the students to the administrative and policy-making bodies of the San Francisco Unified School District. Applications for the 2025-26 school year are due 5/11 at 11:59 PM. Application can be found on their Instagram. For more info, go to their website.

  • PACA (Provide Advocacy and Care to All) is a youth-led nonprofit under the Youth Empowerment Fund of the YMCA of SF guiding youth to advocate with impact through projects. You must attend school and live in San Francisco, be a high school student under 18, and be interested in youth advocacy. 

  • SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH COMMISSION is responsible for advising the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on policies and laws related to young people. Applications for the 2025-26 year are due April 30th at 11:59pm. Must live in SF and be 12-23 years old. The Youth Commission office has a rigorous application process that consists of a written or video application with an optional letter of recommendation submission, and in-person/virtual interviews. Click here for application

  • PROJECT WARMTH is a youth-led organization that aims to provide resources to people experiencing health and financial disparities. Board Applications for positions including marketing, social media and outreach are open and due May 26th, 2025. Click here for application.

  • RED CROSS YOUTH EXECUTIVE BOARD. The West By Youth Executive Board serving the needs of the SF/SM community through service, education and leadership. YEB Applications Open - Deadline is April 27th, 2025. Must be a current 9th-11th grader. Click here for application.

  • SF CHANGE is a student led community organization that helps advance the new generation of education. If you are interested in education and advocacy, you can apply to be a Workshop Director. Workshop Directors plan and facilitate workshops to present to students around San Francisco. Some of the topics include mental health, resume building, drug prevention, and more! @sf.change

Publications and Contests

  • Margins Literary Magazine is a student-run, twice-a-year literary magazine that seeks to amplify diverse voices of young writers and artists, ages 13-19. Submit photos of artwork, poetry, personal essays, flash fiction for a chance to be published. Next submission deadline is May 11th, 2025. Submissions can be emailed to marginslitmag@gmail.com. Learn more at https://www.marginslitmag.com/