Grants for Youth Programs
Youth-serving organizations can access federal, state, and foundation grants for after-school programs, summer camps, mentoring initiatives, recreation activities, education enrichment, dropout prevention, and services for at-risk youth. These grants fund nonprofits, community centers, schools, faith-based organizations, and local governments that provide programming for children and adolescents. Below are 14 verified grant opportunities from government agencies.
Types of Youth Program Grants
After-School & Enrichment
Grants support after-school programs providing academic tutoring, homework help, STEM activities, arts education, literacy programs, and structured enrichment activities. Programs typically serve elementary through high school students during non-school hours, offering safe, supervised environments with educational value.
Mentoring & Leadership
Federal and state funding for youth mentoring programs (one-on-one or group mentoring), leadership development, civic engagement, service learning, and positive youth development initiatives. Programs focus on building relationships between caring adults and young people to support academic success and life skills.
Recreation & Summer Programs
Grants for summer camps, recreational activities, sports programs, outdoor education, youth fitness initiatives, camp scholarships, and community recreation facilities. Summer programming prevents "summer slide" (learning loss) while providing physical activity and social development opportunities.
At-Risk Youth Services
Specialized funding for dropout prevention, juvenile justice programs, substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, mental health services, foster youth support, runaway/homeless youth services, and gang prevention. Programs serve youth facing significant challenges or involvement with systems.
Who Is Eligible for Youth Program Grants?
Eligible Applicant Types
- Nonprofit Organizations: 501(c)(3) organizations including youth-serving nonprofits, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 4-H, faith-based organizations
- Schools and School Districts: Public schools, charter schools, and school districts operating after-school or summer programs
- Community Organizations: Community centers, neighborhood associations, community action agencies, and community-based organizations
- Local Governments: Cities, counties, parks and recreation departments, and municipal agencies serving youth
- Tribal Organizations: Tribal governments and Native American organizations providing youth services
- Collaborative Partnerships: Multi-organization collaboratives and coalitions (often required or preferred for larger grants)
Important: Most youth program grants require applicants to have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a track record of youth programming, financial capacity, and demonstrated community need. First-time applicants should start with smaller grants or apply through fiscal sponsors (established nonprofits that can receive funding on behalf of newer organizations).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major federal youth program grants?
The largest federal youth grant programs include: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (after-school programs via U.S. Department of Education), AmeriCorps grants (youth service and mentoring), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grants (OJJDP - prevention and intervention), Administration for Children and Families grants (child welfare, runaway/homeless youth), and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG - youth facilities and programs). Each has specific eligibility requirements and application cycles.
Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to apply for youth grants?
Most federal and foundation grants require 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. However, alternatives exist: schools and government agencies can apply directly, faith-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status qualify, newer nonprofits can use fiscal sponsorship (established nonprofit acts as grant recipient and passes funds to your program), and some state/local grants have less restrictive requirements. Start the 501(c)(3) application process early if planning to apply for major grants—IRS approval takes 3-12 months.
How competitive are youth program grants?
Competition varies widely. Federal grants can be highly competitive (10-20% success rates for major programs like 21st CCLC), but state and local grants often have higher success rates (30-50%). Small grants under $25,000 are less competitive than large multi-year grants. To improve chances: demonstrate clear community need with data, show evidence-based programming, have experienced staff, include strong evaluation plans, secure matching funds or in-kind contributions, and build partnerships with schools, government, or other nonprofits.
What age groups do "youth programs" typically serve?
"Youth" definitions vary by grant program. Common ranges: elementary (ages 5-11), middle school (ages 11-14), high school (ages 14-18), and transition-age youth (ages 16-24). After-school programs typically serve K-12. Mentoring programs may serve ages 6-18. Juvenile justice programs often focus on ages 10-17. Foster youth/ independent living programs serve ages 14-21 (or 14-25 in some states). Always check specific age requirements in grant guidelines—some programs have narrow age bands.
Can I get grants for youth sports or recreational programs?
Yes, but primarily through: state and local recreation grants, community development grants (CDBG), corporate and foundation grants (Nike, Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, local community foundations), Little League/ Pop Warner national organizations, and health-focused grants addressing youth fitness/obesity prevention. Pure sports programs should emphasize character development, academic support, life skills, or health benefits to align with grant priorities. Many funders prefer programs combining recreation with enrichment or mentoring.
How long does it take to write a youth program grant?
Timeline depends on grant size and complexity. Small grants ($5K-$25K): 10-20 hours over 1-2 weeks. Medium grants ($25K-$100K): 40-60 hours over 3-4 weeks. Large federal grants ($100K+): 100-200 hours over 2-3 months. Factor in time for: needs assessment research, program design, budget development, partner letters, board approval, and reviews. First-time applicants need more time. Many successful organizations start preparing 3-6 months before deadlines, especially for competitive federal grants requiring extensive documentation.
How to Apply for Youth Program Grants
1. Identify Needs & Design Program
Conduct community needs assessment to identify gaps in youth services. Survey youth, families, schools, and community partners. Review local data on youth outcomes (academic performance, dropout rates, juvenile crime, poverty rates). Design evidence-based program model addressing identified needs. Define clear, measurable goals and target population (specific ages, geographic area, number of youth served).
2. Research Funding Opportunities
Search Grants.gov for federal opportunities (filter by "children and youth" category). Check your state department of education, health, and human services for state grants. Contact your community foundation for local youth grants. Review national foundations supporting youth (Wallace Foundation, Annie E. Casey, Robert Wood Johnson). Sign up for grant alerts and join professional networks like the National AfterSchool Association.
3. Build Partnerships & Capacity
Partner with schools (access to students, space, alignment with school day), community organizations (shared resources, broader reach), parents/families (engagement, sustainability), local government (facilities, data, connections), and businesses (volunteers, in-kind donations, matching funds). Many grants require or prefer collaborative applications. Ensure organizational capacity: qualified staff, adequate space, liability insurance, financial systems, and governance structure.
4. Write Compelling Application
Follow guidelines exactly (page limits, required sections, formatting). Use data to demonstrate community need. Clearly describe program activities, schedule, and staffing. Show evidence-based approach (research supporting your model). Include detailed budget with justifications. Describe evaluation plan with specific metrics. Highlight organizational qualifications and past successes. Get letters of support from partners, schools, parents, and community leaders. Have colleagues review drafts before submission.
5. Submit & Follow Through
Submit well before deadline (systems crash, technical issues happen). Keep confirmation receipts and tracking numbers. If not funded, request reviewer feedback to improve future applications. If funded, attend required meetings, submit reports on time, track outcomes rigorously, maintain good relationships with program officers, and plan for sustainability after grant ends. Use success stories and data from funded projects to strengthen future grant applications.
Youth Program Grant Resources
Grants.gov - Youth & Children
Official database of all federal discretionary grants. Search by category "children and youth" or keywords like "after-school," "mentoring," "juvenile justice," or "youth development." Create account to receive grant alerts and submit applications. Review eligibility carefully before applying—many grants require specific organizational qualifications.
Visit Grants.gov →21st Century Community Learning Centers
Federal program providing grants to schools and community organizations for after-school, before-school, and summer programs. Administered by state education agencies. Grants range from $50K-$500K+ per year. Programs must serve Title I schools and provide academic enrichment plus additional activities. Check your state education department for application cycles.
Visit ED.gov →Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJDP)
Department of Justice component funding delinquency prevention, intervention, and system improvement programs. Grants for mentoring, gang prevention, truancy reduction, juvenile justice reform, and evidence-based prevention programs. Most grants require demonstrated experience with at-risk youth and justice-involved populations.
Visit OJJDP.gov →Foundation Center / Candid
Comprehensive database of foundation grants, including thousands of youth-focused funders. Free basic access at local libraries; subscription provides advanced search and proposal samples. Search by geography, issue area (education, recreation, mentoring), population served, and grant size. Includes 990 forms showing recent grants awarded by foundations.
Visit Candid.org →Available Grants for Youth Programs
Below are 14 verified grant opportunities supporting youth programs and services. These grants fund organizations providing after-school programs, mentoring, summer camps, recreation, and services for at-risk youth. Click any grant to view official details and application requirements.
Accelerating Solutions to Improve Access and Quality of Empirically-Supported Practices for Youth Mental Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
National Institutes of Health
View Official Source →FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants NOFO
Department of Housing and Urban Development
View Official Source →OVC FY25 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
Office for Victims of Crime
View Official Source →ROSES25: F.19 Collaborative Opportunities for Mentorship, Partnership and Academic Success in Science
NASA Headquarters
View Official Source →Made in California Program
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications from eligible organizations to apply to provide marketing and engagement services to support the awareness and use of the Made in California label and promotional services by California’s manufacturing businesses. “Made in California” is California’s manufacturing promotion and product labeling program (herein defined as “Program”). The Program is designed to develop and promote the Made in California label, to encourage consumer product awareness, and to foster purchases of high-quality products in this state. The Program is administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (herein referred to as “CalOSBA”) within the Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development (herein referred to as GO-Biz). The...
View Official Source →2025–26 After School Education and Safety grant program (Round 2)
CA Department of Education
The purpose of the After School Education and Safety Program is to create incentives for establishing locally-driven Expanded Learning programs, including after school programs that partner with public schools and communities to provide academic and literacy support, and safe, constructive alternatives for youth. The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to: (1) maintain existing before and after school program funding; and (2) provide eligibility to all elementary and...
View Official Source →2025-2026 Sustainable California Libraries
CA State Library
The California State Library’s LSTA grant opportunities: Support improvement, innovation, and experimentation in library services; Build capacity among the California library community in grant-writing and grant management; and Help California’s local libraries develop services that effectively respond to community needs and align with community aspirations. The Sustainable California Libraries grant program funds climate and sustainability related community-driven programming for adults and intergenerational groups. The initiative also fosters connections between California library workers supporting climate resilience in communities. The purpose of these grants is to fund services, programming, and educational opportunities focused on sustainability and climate resilience. About 8...
View Official Source →Proposition 1 Regionwide Grants
San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
Priorities for RMC Prop 1 Grants: 1. Ecosystems and watershed protection and restoration projects 2. Expand access to diverse populations 3. High-need project implementation Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and instream flow. 2. Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems. 3. Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the...
View Official Source →Proposition 1 Lower Los Angeles River Grants
San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
Priorities for RMC Prop 1 LLAR (Lower LA River) Grants: 1. Ecosystems and watershed protection and restoration projects, 2. Protect and Enhance the LA River 2. Expand access to diverse populations, 4. High-need project implementation RMC’s LLAR Grants are specific to the Lower LA River corridor, considered within 1.5 miles of the main stem or tributary of the Lower LA River. Projects should be consistent with the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan. Proposition 1 allocation to the RMC is pursuant to Chapter 6 Protecting Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Coastal Waters and Watersheds and sets forth thirteen specific purposes and all grant funds must achieve at least four or more of the following objectives in order to receive funds: 1. Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from...
View Official Source →Proposition 68 Grant Program
Tahoe Conservancy
The principal goal of the Conservancy's Prop 68 grant program is to support purposes set forth in the Conservancy's governing statutes and strategic plan, including stewarding Conservancy lands and protecting Basin communities from wildfire; restoring the resilience of Basin forests and watersheds; providing public access and outdoor recreation for all communities; and fostering Basinwide climate adaptation and sustainable communities. The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Proposition 68 allocates $27 million directly to the Conservancy for the purposes set forth in its governing statutes and strategic plan, including stewarding Conservancy lands and...
View Official Source →Explore the Coast Overnight
Coastal Conservancy
The Explore the Coast Overnight Program aims to create more opportunities for all Californians to stay overnight at the coast through the expansion or construction of hotels, motels, hostels, campgrounds, RV campgrounds, cabins, yurts, dorm rooms, and others. The Conservancy’s Explore the Coast Overnight Program was created to expand more opportunities for all Californians to stay overnight at the coast, particularly individuals and youth from low and middle-income households, communities of color, at-risk or underserved populations, and others that face barriers to accessing the coast. The goals of the Explore the Coast Overnight Program include: Helping improve existing, and develop new lower-cost coastal accommodations; Ensuring that new or renovated coastal accommodation projects...
View Official Source →CSBG Program - Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Block grants to states, territories, and tribes to reduce poverty and revitalize low-income communities. Administered by Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families serving Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families.
View Official Source →TANF Program - Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Block grants to states for programs that provide assistance to needy families. Administered by Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families serving Mn Dept Of Children Youth And Families.
View Official Source →