Cooper
Congress
The people

Ideas become real through people.

Meet the founder of Cooper Congress and the first two recipients of the Cooper Congress Scholarship.

MCFounder / Matthew Cooper
The founder

Matthew Cooper

A commitment to good ideas, wherever they come from.

Matthew Cooper founded Cooper Congress and funds the Cooper Congress Scholarship. A former Congressional fellow and federal employee, he is committed to public service that values listening, civil discourse, and practical progress.

Through the scholarship, Matthew supports students who bridge divides and use policy and civic leadership to help others be heard.

Matthew’s Bold.org profile
01Scholarship recipients

Leadership already in motion.

The following profiles summarize the recipients’ winning applications on Bold.org.

LR
2026 recipientIllinois / public health
Policy shaped by lived experience

Lauryn Russell

Lauryn’s experience with Lyme disease led her into legislative advocacy in Illinois. She connected with lawmakers, testified, and helped turn firsthand experience into policy. Illinois law recognizes the Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Act by her name.

Her application describes ongoing work with the Illinois Lyme Association, the Illinois Tick Policy Coalition, and the Center for Lyme Action. She aims to shape tick-borne disease and rural health policy across levels of government.

What her work shows

Policy improves when decision makers listen to the people who live with its consequences.

Read her winning application on Bold.org View the Illinois law
FR
2025 recipientCalifornia / youth leadership
A voice for younger citizens

Finlay Ross

Finlay founded the Santa Monica Youth Advisory Council to create a lasting way for young people to participate in local government. Their application also describes founding a letter-writing club that helps students speak to elected leaders before they can vote.

Finlay has helped lead a school effort that distributes meals to food-insecure families, served on Congressman Ted Lieu’s Youth Advisory Council, and taken part in other civic and service programs. Across these roles, the common thread is making participation practical.

What their work shows

People are more likely to be heard when someone builds a place for them at the table.

Read the winning application on Bold.org