Civic Pen Project
Students Write, Democracy Thrives
Our Mission
The Civic Pen Project is dedicated to inspiring and empowering college students to become active participants in the democratic process. Through the act of writing to their elected members of Congress, we aim to cultivate a generation of informed, engaged citizens who understand the power of their voice in shaping policy and legislation. Our mission is to increase political participation, raise awareness about the legislative process, and instill a sense of civic responsibility in students. By encouraging direct communication with lawmakers, we help students connect with the issues that impact their lives and their communities, fostering a deeper commitment to civic engagement and social change.
Our Application
The Civic Pen Project application is open from March 3rd to March 28th, 2025, and we’re excited to invite college students to apply for our first cohort. Participants will learn how to effectively engage with the legislative process, write impactful letters to their members of Congress, and advocate for important social causes. Accepted applicants will receive notifications by April 2nd, and the initiative will officially launch on April 14th.
If you miss this deadline, don’t worry — our second cohort application will open in early June 2025!
Learn More
The Civic Pen Project is designed to help you become an active participant in our democracy by engaging with lawmakers and advocating for the causes that matter to you. This program will guide you through four key phases, from initial application to final reflection, ensuring you are equipped with all the resources needed to make your voice heard.
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To get started, you’ll complete a form to express your interest in the program. This form will ask you to rank your top 2–3 social pillar groups based on your areas of interest, such as Health & Environmental Equity or LGBTQ+ Rights. Before applying, be sure to attend our informational webinars, where you’ll learn about the program’s purpose, goals, and how you can contribute.
After applications are reviewed, we’ll select 20–25 participants, ensuring a balanced representation across all social pillar groups. You’ll be notified if you’ve been selected and assigned to one of the three groups that match your interests.
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Once you’re selected, you’ll attend our launch event, where we’ll walk you through the history of civic duty, explain the letter-writing process, and introduce you to other participants. This is also when you'll join our dedicated Slack group to stay connected with your team and the broader program.
To help you get started, we’ll provide you with a resource kit, including a letter-writing template and guides on how to contact Members of Congress (MOCs) effectively. We’ll also share a list of relevant MOCs for your assigned social pillar group and introduce you to tools like GovTrack for keeping up with the policies you’ll be writing about.
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As part of the program, you’ll be tasked with writing letters advocating for specific bills within your assigned social pillar group. Regular biweekly check-ins will be scheduled to help you track your progress, address any questions, and receive feedback.
To motivate you, we’ll hold a friendly competition: The participant who sends the most letters will earn a certificate of achievement. We’ll also use a shared cohort tracker where you can log your work and keep track of your contributions. Throughout this phase, we will provide ongoing support and resources to ensure you stay engaged and informed.
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At the end of the program, you’ll be asked to fill out a Google Form to share your feedback about your experience. This will include questions about the effectiveness of the program, the support you received, and your overall enjoyment. After receiving feedback, we will analyze the data to assess the success of our outreach efforts, participant engagement, and program impact. We will use this information to refine the program for future cohorts and continue making improvements.
By participating in the Civic Pen Project, you’ll not only learn how to effectively communicate with your elected officials but also gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process.
We aim to build a community of informed and empowered students who are ready to make their voices heard in the policy-making world. Let’s work together to create meaningful change!
Our resource vault is a comprehensive collection of tools, guides, and materials designed to help you engage with the legislative process and make your voice heard. Whether you're new to writing to your elected officials or a seasoned advocate, this vault provides everything you need to be an informed and effective civic participant.
Inside, you'll find:
Step-by-Step Guides: Learn how to craft compelling letters and emails to your members of Congress, tailored to the issues you care about.
Templates & Examples: Access a variety of sample letters, templates, and message examples to get started quickly.
Educational Resources: Understand the legislative process, how Congress works, and how your voice can influence policy.
Engagement Tools: Find tools to track legislation, contact your representatives, and stay informed about key issues.
The resource vault is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to engage with your representatives and be a proactive, informed participant in our democracy.