The Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program

The Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program (YNAPP), administered by the city of Las Vegas, supports youth-led community service projects aimed at improving neighborhoods across the city. It provides grant funding of up to $2,000 to youth between the ages of 8 and 18 who are involved with organizations such as neighborhood associations, educational institutions, religious groups, or social clubs. The initiative promotes civic engagement, leadership, and local pride by empowering young people to address real-world needs in their communities through creative service learning. Sample YNAPP projects may involve diverse community-based efforts such as organizing cleanups, building Little Free Libraries, assembling care packages, hosting art or mural initiatives, offering reading programs, and providing services for the unhoused. The key criterion is that the youth design and lead the projects, which should directly benefit Las Vegas neighborhoods. These activities are expected to foster collaborative partnerships between youth and their communities while developing leadership and organizational skills among participants. Applicants are required to participate in an annual application cycle. For the 2025–2026 round, the application opened on August 18 and will close on October 30, 2025. Interested youth groups must submit their applications online via the ZoomGrants platform. While attendance at an applicant workshop is not mandatory, first-time applicants are strongly encouraged to view either the recorded virtual session or in-person event, held on September 17 and 16, respectively. Contact Tara Manor for access to the workshop recording. Once selected, recipients are required to sign a contract with the city of Las Vegas, committing to the project scope and implementation plan. City staff provide technical support throughout the project duration, and grantees must submit monthly reports to document progress. These measures ensure transparency and accountability while also offering young leaders guidance to successfully execute their plans. Each application is reviewed by the appointed YNAPP Grant Review Board. Evaluation criteria are not publicly detailed but generally align with alignment to community benefit, feasibility, leadership potential, and clarity of the proposal. The program does not mention requiring matching funds, and there is no fee to apply. Projects are expected to conclude within the performance period defined in the contract, which is not explicitly stated but inferred to occur within a single program year. The YNAPP operates on an annual cycle, offering recurring opportunities for youth to propose and lead new projects each year. Applicants can anticipate the next cycle to begin in August 2026, with application deadlines likely falling in the fall as in previous years. For additional guidance or support, applicants can contact Tara Manor via email at tmanor@lasvegasnevada.gov or phone at 702.229.5424.

Emphasize documented need, clear project readiness, and strong LMI benefit. Avoid housing-only applications unless exceptionally justified.