Mikva Challenge has spent over two decades refining a youth development model built on two core principles: that youth voice matters, and that young people are experts on the issues that affect them. These principles drive every program, building the next generation of leaders and activists through civic knowledge, leadership skills, and civic engagement. In Citywide Youth Councils, students research a public policy problem, develop policy recommendations to present to city leaders, and partner with these leaders to implement their ideas. Mikva also incorporates experiential civic learning into DC public school curricula, while paid summer internships place students directly in the offices of elected and government officials. An annual youth-led event convenes over 100 students to deliver persuasive speeches on issues affecting their communities. Young people care deeply about our world; they should have the tools to change it.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide

Age Groups Served: Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Students

Schools They Work In: Anacostia High School; Ballou High School; Benjamin Banneker High School; Brightwood Education Campus; Capital City PCS High School; Cardozo High School; Cesar Chavez PCS High School – Capitol Hill; Columbia Heights Education Campus; Dunbar High School; Eastern High School; The Edmund Burke School; E.L. Haynes PCS High School; Friendship PCS Collegiate Academy; Friendship PCS Tech Prep; Friendship PCS Chamberlain; Friendship PCS Woodbridge IB; H.D. Woodson High School; Hart Middle School; Jefferson Middle School; Johnson Middle School; Kramer Middle School; Luke C. Moore High School; MacFarland Middle School; McKinley Tech High School; Phelps ACE High School; Ron Brown College Preparatory High School; Roosevelt High School; School Without Walls; SEED Public Charter High School; Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School; Washington Global Public Charter School; West Education Campus

Awards & Recognition

Chosen Public Service Client for AD2DC, a young professional community of the American Advertising Federation.

Press

Budget (FY2026)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Mikva Challenge is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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