The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) is a national nonprofit legal and policy advocacy organization, founded in 1971, that uses impact litigation, policy advocacy, research, and youth-led partnerships to defend and expand the rights and well‑being of children and young people—with a focus on those at the margins of systems such as education, foster care, juvenile justice, immigration, health, and housing.
Advocates for child welfare and foster care reform, juvenile justice reform and decarceration, education equity and alternatives to harsh school discipline, protections for immigrant children (including Flores-related litigation), youth access to health and reproductive care, services for homeless youth, racial and LGBTQ+ equity in public systems, and stronger accountability/oversight of government agencies serving youth.
Primarily funded through foundation grants and philanthropic support, individual donations, and competitive grants; also relies on charitable contributions and occasional fee or settlement recoveries to support litigation and advocacy work.
Board and senior leadership (e.g., Sophie Fanelli as board president; recent senior hires include litigation leaders David Hinojosa and Hannah Benton Eidsath and counsel Johnathan Smith), and frequent collaborations with civil rights and youth advocacy organizations such as the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, state attorneys general offices, philanthropic funders (e.g., major private foundations), and community-based youth partners.
501(c)(3) nonprofit legal advocacy organization / public interest law center
