We are excited to announce the 2026 theme for National Youth Involvement Month (NYIM):

Spark Your Impact!

Join us as we discuss all the ways you can get involved in the American Red Cross.  

What is National Youth Involvement Month?

National Youth Involvement Month, taking place every November, is one of the most youth-focused initiatives the Red Cross holds every year. Through frequent virtual events, young volunteers learn about how they can increase their Red Cross involvement, network with their fellow volunteers, build their own ideas to spearhead lasting change, and take the next step in their Red Cross journey! 

Why Should You Get Involved?
  • Network with other youth volunteers, regional youth leaders, the National Youth Council, Youth and Young Adult Ambassadors, International Humanitarian Law Summit Attendees, and more!  
  • Learn about getting involved in all 5 Red Cross lines of service, fundraising effectively with the Red Cross, building a plan to continue Red Cross involvement in college and beyond, and spearheading your own community initiatives! 
  • AND receive volunteer hours for attending EACH event!  

Follow our Instagram at @americanredcrossyouth to receive updates on NYIM 2026. Feel free to post updates on your personal Instagram and Facebook pages with #NYIM26 and #redcrossyouth! If you have any questions, please direct them to youthinvolvement@redcross.org. 

We hope that you will join us in inspiring youth and young adults to serve with purpose and passion by participating in NYIM 2026! 

2 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

🔥Ignite the Red Cross

 

About

  • Participants, Red Cross volunteers between the ages of 13-24, will team up in groups of 3-4 and develop a creative, practical solution to the given prompt, which is centered on an organizational challenge within the Red Cross.
  • Teams will submit a one-page proposal during the first round of the competition. Selected finalists will advance to the live pitch at the NYIM Finale on November 30 at 8 p.m. ET, where they will present their ideas to a panel of judges and fellow youth volunteers!  


Goal

  • Inspire youth and young adult volunteers to harness their creativity to develop innovative solutions to critical challenges that are essential to address to advance the Red Cross mission.

 

Key Dates

  • October 19 – Participant registration opens (Website & Social Media)
  • November 1 – 2026 Ignite the Red Cross Challenge Prompt launches (Website & Social Media)
  • November 4 – NYIM Kickoff Call at 8:00PM ET & participant registration closes at 11:59PM ET 
  • November 6 – Teams finalized and notified by 11:59PM ET
  • November 20 – Round 1 proposals due by 11:59PM ET 
  • November 21–25 – Round 1 judging window
  • November 26 – Finalists notified
  • November 30 – Finalist pitches at the NYIM Finale at 8:00 p.m. ET
  • December 1 – First-place winner announced (Website & Social Media) 

 

Awards & Recognition

  • Finalists – Finalist teams will receive an electronic certificate and recognition through Red Cross youth communications and social media.
  • First Place – The winning team will receive:
    • Certificates
    • Red Cross Merch
    • Recognition through Red Cross YouthWire and Instagram
    • National Youth Council support to potentially explore piloting the solution
  • People's Choice – NYIM Finale call attendees will select a People’s Choice Award recipient, who will receive an electronic certificate and recognition through Red Cross youth communications. 
Learn More About Ignite the Red Cross

💻Virtual Events

 

How it Works

  1. Log into Volunteer Connection
  2. Go to "My Shifts" in the top menu
  3. Scroll  & select "Youth and Young Adult Events"
  4. Explore and register for any and all events that spark your interest, including our NYIM webinars! 

Goal

  • The National Youth Council will provide opportunities for participants to make connections with other youth and young adult volunteers, teach you ways to maximize your impact in your community, and provide more opportunities to get involved with the Red Cross!  

 

Sign Up for Virtual Events

NYIM 2026 Event List

Sign Up on Volunteer Connection
Week 1: Spark Curiosity

Finding your place: Discover your month’s Line of Service focus, explore Ignite the Red Cross, and expand your fundraising skill set. 

Monday, November 2, 8:00PM ET

Kickoff: Ignite Your Red Cross Journey  

  • Kick off NYIM by finding your Line of Service home through a live quiz and launch Ignite the Red Cross, our month-long team challenge.  

Thursday, November 5, 7:30PM ET

Fueling the Mission 

  • Build a real fundraising plan step-by-step and see exactly how the dollars you raise fuel Red Cross disaster relief and preparedness work. 
Week 2: Spark Service

Hands-on action: explore the Lines of Service through disaster simulation and a blood-services deep dive.

Monday, November 9, 8:00PM ET

The Disaster Decision Room 

  • Step into a live disaster-response simulation and make the same high-pressure calls Red Cross Disaster Action Team members make in real emergencies. 

Thursday, November 12, 8:00PM ET

The Spark That Saves (Behind the Scenes of Every Blood Donation)

  • Go behind the scenes of blood donation with a diversity-in-donation panel and a first-hand look at how blood gets matched to the patients who need it. 
Week 3: Spark Connection

Fostering community: high school to college transitions, humanitarian principles in action, and club continuity.

Sunday, November 15, 7:00PM ET

Cape to Campus 

  • Hear real stories from volunteers who kept their Red Cross service going after high school, then build your own plan for staying involved in college.

Wednesday, November 18, 8:00PM ET

Built to Last 

  • Learn how successful club leaders keep their Red Cross clubs thriving all year, straight from the peers who've done it! 
Week 4: Spark Initiative

Stepping up: learn about international humanitarian services around the world and five Lines of Service with the National Youth Council.

Saturday, November 21, 7:00PM ET

Around the World with the American Red Cross

  • Travel virtually to Red Cross volunteers around the world and see what humanitarian service looks like, from a military base overseas to the frontlines of international law, focusing on volunteers’ personal stories. 

Wednesday, November 25, 8:00PM ET

Strike a Match 

  • Rotate through all five Lines of Service in one night and network with the youth leaders already making an impact in each one! 
Week 5: Spark Change

Closing out: NYIM Wrapped stats (Spotify wrapped style!) and Ignite the Red Cross Finalist Showcase.

Monday, November 30, 8:00PM ET

NYIM Wrapped: Final Blaze

  • Celebrate a month of Spark with a Spotify-Wrapped-style recap of the month's biggest moments and the live Ignite the Red Cross finalist pitches! 
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