Our Work
Our Approach
Running Start ignites political ambition early, ensuring that young women see themselves as leaders from the start. Serving 2,000+ participants annually, Running Start builds the pipeline for the next generation of changemakers who will shape a more resilient and inclusive democracy. We break the cycle of missed opportunity by providing young women with the training, tools, mentors, and confidence to envision themselves in political leadership. This work is made possible through strong partnerships that connect participants to real-world opportunities, mentorship, and pathways into leadership.
Our approach includes:
Women's Leadership
Strengthening confidence, capabilities, and connections frames our work: building the self-assurance to lead, developing the practical skills to succeed, and fostering networks that open doors and sustain leadership.
Partnerships
Our partnerships drive impact by expanding access for young women, aligning programs with community needs, and leveraging shared networks to deepen reach and sustain leadership pathways.
Civil Discourse
Civil discourse is essential to a functioning democracy: we foster the skills to engage across differences, create spaces for respectful dialogue, and bring together women of all ideologies to lead with understanding and integrity.
As a Running Start participant in our programs, you will focus on:
Confidence:
You’ll discover that leadership skills can be learned. You have peers who are just as interested in running for office and solving problems in their communities as you are. You’ll meet people just like you who’ve run and won.
Capabilities:
You’ll practice campaign skills taught by top operatives and experts who’ll share lessons from their real work in the field. You’ll participate in a campaign simulation where your new tools will be put to the test.
Connections:
You’ll meet new friends and mentors. Long after the program has ended, Running Start will offer you continued connections to our 30,000+ alums and our mentor communities around the country.
Civil Discourse:
You’ll learn how to have tough conversations productively and how to work across differences to get things done.
Our Partners
In addition to our generous supporters, Running Start partners with schools, community groups, and other organizations to reach young leaders across the world.
Interested in partnering with us? Email development@runningstart.org.
The Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College
Links Incorporated, Dayton OH Chapter
University of California, Washington Program
Women’s Congressional Staff Foundation
Women’s Public Leadership Network
Elect Her Partners
Alpine High School
Amazona Foundation
American Councils Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX Program)
American University
Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
Arizona State University
American Student Government Association Spring Summit (ASGA Spring Summit)
Bella Kind Foundation
Bellarmine University
Boston University
Boys and Girls Club of America
Brandeis University
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Capitol Applied Learning Labs
Case Western Reserve University
Central Connecticut State University
Central State University
Champlain Valley Union High School
Coastal Carolina University
DC Mayor’s Office of Women’s Policy and Initiatives
Denison University
Florida A&M University
General Federation of Women’s Clubs, North Pinellas Woman’s Club
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Gettysburg College
Girl Scouts of North and Central Alabama
Girls Inc.
Grand Valley State University
Her Campus
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Maryland (HOBY Maryland)
Indiana University
International Academy of Flint
Juniata College
Kent District Library
Kent State University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Latin School of Chicago
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
Marshall University
Meredith College
Michigan State University
Montclair State University
Morristown Beard School
National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL)
New Roads School
Pacific Islander Student Alliance Conference (PISA Conference)
Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN)
Purdue University
Scripps College
Siena College
Southern Illinois University
Southern Methodist University
Stony Brook University
Suffolk University
Sul Ross State University Women and Politics Program
Texas Woman's University
The City College of New York
The College of New Jersey
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business
University of Texas at Dallas
University of the West Indies
University of Virginia, School of Business
Vanderbilt University
Wilberforce University
Women’s Club of Bethesda
Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES Program)
1st Amendment 1st Vote Schools in New York State
Auburn High School
Baldwinsville High School
Corcoran High School
Frewsburg High School
Henninger High School
Lancaster High School
Lockport High School
Moravia High School
Nottingham High School
Seneca Falls High School
Sherman High School
Skaneateles High School
Southern Cayuga High School
Weedsport High School
Westfield High School