To forge a brighter future, Rising Voices invests in those who will craft it. We empower young women leaders through training, mentorship, and social-impact funding, inspiring the next generation of changemakers and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
We need their daring, knowledge, and viewpoints to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Although they are often more civically and politically engaged than their elders, the ideas of young women are frequently discounted. That’s why the initiatives under Rising Voices support early interventions to develop the leadership potential of women leaders between the ages of 16 and 25. By investing in them early, we can help them build the tools and support systems that will enable them to flourish as leaders on the global stage.
Learn more about Rising Voices initiatives:
Voices that Inspire
Now, more than ever, young women and girls are needed to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Throughout history, we have seen the power that youth activists can have in advocating for social justice and guiding political and civic engagement in their communities. Young people are on the front lines of social change that ultimately leads to sweeping social movements.

HERlead Fellowship
Beginning in 2011 and ending in 2021, the HERlead Fellowship trained, mentored and inspired over 370 high school girls from across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico to become the next generation of women leaders. Through the training and mentoring received in the HERlead Fellowship, young women were empowered and equipped with the leadership skills they needed to effect global progress, invest in their communities and begin their individual leadership journeys.

The Rajendra Foundation Social Impact Fund
The Rajendra Foundation Social Impact Fund incubates young women leader’s big, bold, untested ideas. By providing grants to young women leaders, the Rajendra Foundation is creating a cultural shift to invest in and amplify the ideas of young women, further unlocking their leadership potential.

Rising Voices Clubs
Vital Voices is proud to announce the launch of Rising Voices clubs, a unique opportunity for high school leaders across the United States to amplify their community impact. With the Rising Voices clubs, we will bring the lessons in advocacy and organizing to young leaders across the nation to similarly impact their communities.
