Partnership in Youth Services Grants

Foundations Community Partnership (FCP) administers the Partnership in Youth Services (PYS) Grants program to support nonprofit organizations committed to solving community challenges and improving the lives of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. FCP operates as a private foundation with a dedicated focus on behavioral health and human services across the county. The PYS grant program represents one of several funding mechanisms offered by FCP and is distinguished by its emphasis on first-time grantees, its consistent biannual award schedule, and its targeted support of human service programs with demonstrable community outcomes. The PYS grant awards up to $5,000 and prioritizes nonprofits that have not previously applied to FCP or that have not done so in the past five years for the fall cycle. In the spring, only new applicants are eligible to apply. Each grantee is expected to submit a comprehensive final report after a 12-month grant period. The program does not require a Letter of Inquiry (LOI); instead, applicants can directly access and complete the full application through FCP’s FOUNDANT online platform. The foundation makes clear that only complete applications submitted by the specified deadlines will be reviewed—late or incomplete applications are not eligible for consideration. Applications are due twice annually, with deadlines of February 1 for the spring cycle and August 15 for the fall cycle. Awards are announced in March and September respectively. Spring applicants may be invited to present their proposals in person to the FCP Board of Directors following initial review. This interview opportunity is a distinctive feature of the spring cycle, and it underscores the foundation’s interest in developing new relationships with local organizations. All applicants must provide a clearly defined connection to the “Community Mental Health” concept and must quantify the number of Bucks County residents to be served. SMART goals—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound—are an integral part of the application, which must also include a detailed budget outlining the intended use of grant funds. The grant is open exclusively to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities described under Section 170(c)(1) of the IRS Code that also meet public support requirements under Sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). Religious, political, and research-focused entities are ineligible, as are individuals or organizations seeking to reduce debt or conduct advertising. Fiscal sponsors must provide documented compliance with IRS requirements to serve as legal umbrella organizations for applicants lacking direct exempt status. Funds can be used flexibly across capital, programmatic, and personnel costs. FCP encourages prospective applicants to consult external resources such as the Council on Foundations and the Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia to strengthen their proposals. Technical assistance is available for applicants new to the FOUNDANT platform, and FCP provides both phone and email support. First-time applicants are also expected to participate in an introductory meeting with FCP prior to formal application submission. All grantees are expected to fulfill their full grant cycle, including all required reporting, before they may become eligible to apply for future grants.