The City of Columbus opened applications for its Summer Youth Program Funding, aiming to support nonprofit organizations that serve youth between the ages of 5 and 18 within the city’s corporate boundaries. This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to assist vulnerable, at-risk, and underserved youth—particularly those facing disproportionate exposure to crime, violence, and socioeconomic barriers.
Nonprofit organizations that are certified as 501(c)(3) entities are eligible to apply for financial support to operate summer programs from May through September. These programs must target youth development outcomes such as improved academic performance, enhanced health and well-being, and increased career readiness and workplace skills.
A major emphasis is placed on equity and neighborhood impact, with funding preferences given to initiatives located in or serving youth from Columbus’s designated “Opportunity Neighborhoods.” These include areas like Hilltop, Linden, Franklinton, the South Side, Near East, Southeast, Northeast, Northland, the Far East Side, and the Far West Side.
The grant applications will be reviewed by a cross-departmental team consisting of members from the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Department of Neighborhoods, Office of Education, and the Office of Violence Prevention. These representatives will collaborate to determine which programs best align with city objectives and merit funding.
All applications were required to be submitted online by Friday, February 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Organizations that are selected to receive funding are expected to be notified in the spring, aligning with the program’s summer implementation schedule. Although no recurrence was explicitly stated, the annual nature of the program implies a likely annual cycle.
For questions or additional details, applicants were directed to contact the program team via the official email address: summeryouth@columbus.gov.
