Developing the Next Generation of Leaders, Innovators, and Community Builders
The Youth Division is The Root Foundation's dedicated youth development division, created to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and opportunities needed to become leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and engaged members of their communities.
Rather than offering a single program, the Youth Division serves as a platform for impactful initiatives that help students discover their passions, develop practical skills, solve real-world challenges, and prepare for meaningful careers and lives of service.
Through partnerships with educators, businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, industry professionals, and community leaders, the Youth Division connects students with authentic learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.
Our mission is simple:
Equip the next generation to create impactful change.
Where Big Ideas Become Community Solutions
NextGen Impact is the flagship initiative of The Root Foundation's Youth Division.
It brings together students with diverse talents and interests to identify real community challenges and develop impactful solutions through technology, creativity, entrepreneurship, research, collaboration, and service.
Students don't simply learn new skills—they apply them by working alongside businesses, nonprofit organizations, educators, government agencies, and community leaders to build projects that create measurable, lasting impact.
Every project begins with a real challenge.
Every solution serves a real purpose.
Every innovation strengthens our community.
Technology That Creates Impact
Technology is transforming every industry, every career, and every community. At NextGen Impact, we believe young people shouldn't simply learn about these technologies—they should use them to solve real problems, strengthen their communities, and create meaningful opportunities for others.
Our vision is to build an environment where students have access to the same emerging technologies shaping the future of business, education, healthcare, engineering, media, entrepreneurship, and public service. Working alongside experienced mentors and community partners, students will explore artificial intelligence, software development, digital storytelling, automation, wearable technology, robotics, data analytics, and other innovative tools to design solutions that create measurable, lasting impact.
Every project completed through NextGen Impact has the potential to become more than a learning experience. It can become a new resource for a nonprofit, a tool for a local business, a solution for a community challenge, or an idea that inspires others to think differently about what's possible.
More Than Learning Technology
We want students to become creators—not just consumers—of technology.
By combining creativity, technical skills, and a commitment to service, NextGen Impact aims to cultivate a generation of innovators who leave a lasting imprint on their communities while contributing fresh ideas to the broader technology landscape.
Our long-term vision is to establish Baton Rouge as a recognized hub for youth-driven innovation, where impactful ideas are developed locally, shared nationally, and demonstrate what's possible when communities invest in the potential of their young people.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Become a NextGen Impact Student
Join a community of young leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers using technology, creativity, and collaboration to build impactful solutions for real challenges facing Baton Rouge.
Build Impact Together
Whether you're a business, school, nonprofit, government agency, university, or community organization, partner with us to provide mentorship, technology, resources, and opportunities that empower the next generation to create meaningful change.
Help Shape the Future
Help Shape the Future
There are countless ways to make an impact. Volunteer your time, mentor students, share your expertise, donate resources, sponsor initiatives, or support the mission as we build a stronger Baton Rouge together.
Invest in Impact
Every partnership, every donation, and every act of support helps create new opportunities for students, strengthen families, and build impactful solutions that move Baton Rouge forward.