Urban Youth Action Grant Program

The Urban Youth Action (UYA) Grants are administered by the POISE Foundation to support the legacy of Urban Youth Action, a program originally founded in 1966 by Bernard H. Jones. The original UYA was a youth development initiative serving Black inner-city youth in Pittsburgh by providing educational, social, and life-skills programming. UYA taught practical life skills, such as financial literacy, job readiness, and civic engagement, and connected youth with business and civic leaders. Though formal programming ended in 2012, the POISE Foundation has continued to uphold the UYA mission by funding programs aligned with its original vision. The Urban Youth Action Grant supports organizations that deliver consistent programming or services in the areas of youth education and enrichment. The primary focus is on programs that serve Black middle and high school students. This grant can be used for general operating support or specific project and program support. Organizations must demonstrate a longstanding commitment to serving this demographic to qualify for funding. Depending on funding availability, awards may be up to $10,000. However, these grants are not guaranteed annually. In addition to the core UYA Grant, the POISE Foundation also offers the Urban Youth Action Flex Grant. This grant is intended to provide immediate and flexible support to organizations helping Black middle and high school students with expenses tied to educational enrichment or personal development. These expenses may include school supplies, field trips, bus fare, technology, and out-of-school activities. The maximum funding available per application under the Flex Grant is $1,000. Each organization may apply once per year, and funds are disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis depending on availability. To qualify for either grant, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a fiscally sponsored initiative. Their mission must center on education or enrichment services for Black middle and high school students. Additionally, applicants for the Flex Grant must be located in the Greater Pittsburgh region and serve youth of color. Both grants require that applying organizations have at least two years of operating history. Applications must be submitted through the POISE Foundation's online application portal. For the Flex Grant, applications are reviewed monthly on the second Monday of each month, and applicants are notified afterward. Specific deadlines or opening dates for the core Urban Youth Action Grant were not provided in the source material. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines carefully and reach out to the program officer for clarification if needed. For inquiries related to either grant, applicants may contact Program Officer Shaqui Scott at sscott@poisefdn.org. The POISE Foundation is headquartered at Two Gateway Center, Suite 1700, 603 Stanwix Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Their general contact number is 412-281-4967. While the timeline for the next cycle was not detailed, the recurring nature of both grants suggests future funding opportunities, contingent upon fund availability.