GIFFORDS has strong ties to Arizona. Our founder Gabby Giffords was the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate and was a trailblazer in other offices, representing her community in the Arizona Legislature from 2000 to 2005 and then in Congress from 2006 to 2012. 

On January 8, 2011, at a “Congress On Your Corner” constituent event in Tucson, Gabby was shot in the head by a gunman. Six people were killed, and 12 others were injured. She and her husband, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, still live in Tucson, Arizona, today.

GIFFORDS is dedicated to doing the work that needs to be done in Arizona to save lives from gun violence—and you can be a part of that. 

Across the country, young people have been standing up and demanding a safer future for their communities—demanding a future free from gun violence. Since 2018, GIFFORDS has supported these brave activists through our Courage Fellowship program, which provides a select group of young people the opportunity to refine their skills and work together to reduce gun violence. The GIFFORDS Courage Fellowship uses a state-based approach, and GIFFORDS is proud to announce that the application for the Arizona 2026 class of Courage Fellows is now open.

Over the course of five months, Courage Fellows between the ages of 18 and 24 will be placed at the heart of the gun violence prevention discussion. They will engage in an array of activities that focus on advocacy and effective organizing, from learning about the issue firsthand from gun policy experts to lobbying legislators at the Arizona State Capitol. The program will consist of three in-person trainings around Arizona, including Phoenix in March 2026 to lobby at the state capitol, and four virtual trainings with GIFFORDS staff. Between these trainings, participants will work on a community engagement project of their choosing, with the support of GIFFORDS staff and resources.

Application Deadline 

The deadline to apply for the 2026 class of Courage Fellows is November 23, 2025, at 12 am Arizona time.

If you have technical difficulties or questions, please email [email protected]. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Courage Fellows Program Components 

Throughout the program, Courage Fellows will: 

• Learn from nationally recognized leaders in the gun violence prevention and greater progressive movements.
• Network with other young activists in Arizona, including past Courage Fellows.
• Develop and implement a gun violence prevention project in their community.
• Build critical team-building, communication, organizing, and advocacy skills. 
• Meet with legislators to discuss the importance of gun violence prevention efforts. 

The primary program components for the Courage Fellowship include:

• An orientation meeting on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
• A 3-day training in Tucson from Friday, January 30, to Sunday, February 1, 2026.
• Virtual Training #1 on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
• Virtual Training #2 on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
• A 2-day lobbying training and legislator meeting in Phoenix from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026.
• Virtual Training #3 on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
• Virtual Training #4 on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
• A 3-day graduation in Tucson from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, 2026.
• Regular check-ins and mentorship opportunities with GIFFORDS staff.
• The creation and implementation of a community engagement project with support from GIFFORDS.

What is the community engagement project? 

The purpose of the take-home project is for Courage Fellows to put the skills they learn in the first training to use in their local communities. The ideal project will be substantive, engaging, and locally focused. Fellows will brainstorm project ideas, subject to approval by GIFFORDS staff, throughout the first training. Past projects have included:

• Voter registration drives
• Press conferences
• Town halls with local elected officials 
• Art installations

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for the next generation of leaders in the gun violence prevention movement. The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong ties to Arizona and plan on remaining in Arizona for the foreseeable future. 
• Have demonstrated interest in politics, community organizing, activism, or volunteerism.
• Be eager to learn new skills and open to different points of view.
• Be passionate about fighting gun violence and willing to work with others towards this shared goal. 

Applicants do not need to be extensively involved in the gun violence prevention movement already—we are looking to build a diverse class of Courage Fellows with varying backgrounds and experiences.

Candidate Requirements:​​​

1. Willing to travel around Arizona for the above listed trainings (all program-related costs, including food, travel, and hotel costs, will be covered by GIFFORDS).
2. Able to attend the entirety of all trainings.
3. Ready to join our Courage Fellowship Ambassador Program, which includes:

• Representing and attending at least two GIFFORDS community, legislative, and media events per year.
• Mentoring incoming Courage Fellows.
• Planning or co-leading at least one event or advocacy initiative per year.
• Participating in quarterly check-ins with GIFFORDS staff.
• Contributing to communications through blogs, op-eds, or social media.

GIFFORDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an environment that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. People of color, trans individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, women, people with differing abilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.