We’re ending the year with great news. In 2022’s final weeks, Congress passed and the president signed a federal appropriations omnibus bill that, among other things, significantly boosts funding for K-12 civic education.

The $23 million allocation – compared with $7.75 million last year – includes $3 million for American History and Civics Academies. And significantly, Congress allocated $20 million for a competitive grant program known as Civics National Activities. That includes classroom instruction in civics, government, and history; community service coupled with instruction; simulations of democratic processes; student voice in school governance; and media literacy.

As a proud member of the CivXNow Coalition, we know the value of the power of introducing young people to civic engagement early in their educational careers. Not only does this normalize devotion to our rights, roles, and responsibilities as citizens, it allows students to develop critical thinking, civic leadership, and civil discourse skills – and that pays countless dividends for our Republic. In fact, that’s why Civic Nebraska works in the outside-of-school space across Nebraska with service learning initiatives, instruction and enrichment, and before- and after-school programs that emphasize civic learning.

“Civic engagement empowers young Americans, builds their agency, and provides a pathway for them to become strong and powerful citizens,” said Adam Morfeld, Civic Nebraska’s executive director. “The CivXNow Coalition has been so important in advocating for greater federal investment in the future of our country, and we are grateful for their work to help secure this vital federal investment.”

To learn more about how Civic Nebraska builds strong citizens, click here.