Chaffee County Youth Alliance Mini-grant

The Chaffee County Youth Alliance (CCYA) is offering its 8th annual mini-grant opportunity to support youth-focused community initiatives throughout Chaffee County, Colorado. This funding program is designed to strengthen local youth-serving organizations and initiatives that align with the principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD). The program places a strong emphasis on youth engagement and leadership, encouraging projects that are not only intended for youth but are also designed and led by them. In 2026, CCYA will continue its commitment to fostering a community where young people are active participants in shaping programs and experiences that impact their lives. Positive Youth Development is a strengths-based framework that focuses on building authentic relationships, promoting inclusivity, and supporting sustainable efforts to enhance youth growth and learning. Projects eligible for this mini-grant must demonstrate how they will embody these values. In particular, applicants must show that youth in Chaffee County are actively involved in both the design and implementation of proposed initiatives. Applications that focus on increasing an organization’s capacity to engage youth through these principles are also welcomed. Funding may be used to support new or existing programs, provided they are youth-driven and meet the stated criteria. Examples of fundable projects include peer mentorship programs, outdoor leadership activities, and initiatives that improve organizational processes for involving youth in planning and evaluation. A wide variety of creative proposals are encouraged, as long as they demonstrate how young people will be engaged as planners, facilitators, and decision-makers. CCYA also emphasizes equitable distribution of funding across the county, with attention to geographic representation from areas such as Buena Vista, Salida, and other localities. Each grant will provide up to $2,500 per project. Between two to five awards will be issued for the 2026 cycle. Both new applicants and previous recipients are eligible, provided the proposed project meets all grant requirements. Selected projects must complete all spending by June 30, 2026, and submit a final report by August 1, 2026, detailing outcomes and youth involvement. The application period closes on April 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applicants will be notified of their award status by April 27, 2026. Projects are expected to begin shortly thereafter, with all awarded funds expended before the end of June. Although the application does not require a formal Letter of Intent, applicants are encouraged to ensure their proposals reflect the values and criteria outlined in the PYD framework. The funder has not indicated any pre-application steps that would affect eligibility or advancement in the selection process. For any questions related to the mini-grant opportunity, interested applicants may contact Jill Lewis via email at [email protected] or by phone at 719.530.2575. CCYA encourages potential grantees to reach out with inquiries to ensure proposals meet expectations and submission requirements.