STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF THE YOUTH CLIMATE MOVEMENT

Power Shift Network (PSN) is a nonprofit organization working to organize, empower, and strengthen the youth climate justice movement. The Capstone team supported PSN as it considered whether to pursue additional political activities through the establishment of an affiliated 501(c)(4), a Political Action Committee (PAC), or a Super PAC organization. To further understand the landscape of the youth climate justice movement and to provide relevant guidance, the team conducted research through internal document review, informational interviews, independent research, and an online survey to organizational stakeholders. The team's research culminated in a project that provides recommendations on the organizational structure that best supports PSN's short- and long-term strategic political objectives. Recommendations highlighted key considerations and steps to establish an affiliated organization and included best practices for administering a new affiliated organization with shared resources.