Summer Youth Program Fund

The Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF) is a collaborative, independent grantmaking initiative managed by local funders in Arizona. This program is coordinated through the Arizona Community Foundation and includes support from organizations such as Helios Education Foundation, Thunderbirds Charities, and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. SYPF focuses on enriching and expanding summer opportunities for youth across Maricopa County. With a total of approximately $500,000 available in funding for 2026, the initiative aims to support nonprofits that provide meaningful, structured activities for school-aged children during the summer months. The core objective of the SYPF is to ensure that economically disadvantaged youth, as well as youth with disabilities or special health needs, have access to enriching programs when school is not in session—from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Programs may include personal development, arts and culture, recreation, environmental education, and academic enrichment. SYPF prioritizes applications that increase service capacity, engage in community partnerships, and demonstrate strong community support. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000, and applicants must not request more than 50% of their total program budget. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and faith-based organizations located in Arizona. Schools and municipalities are ineligible. Programs must have a two-year operational history and serve at least 80% Maricopa County youth. Daily programs must run for at least four hours per day, and residential programs must be more than one night in duration. Organizations must also comply with strict non-discrimination and fiscal responsibility guidelines. Applicants can submit proposals through the Arizona Community Foundation’s grant portal. New users must create an account, while returning applicants can log in and begin the process directly. The application opens on November 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM and closes on January 9, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Award announcements will be made by the end of March 2026, with disbursements occurring in mid-May. A final report will be due by September 30, 2026, to account for activities and funds used. Proposals are evaluated through a two-stage process. The first stage screens for eligibility and compliance, while the second involves in-depth review by a panel of SYPF funders who use a detailed rubric assessing community need, program planning, evaluation strategies, and collaborative efforts. Successful proposals will clearly articulate goals, expected outcomes, program plans, partnerships, and resource allocation. Funds may be used for direct program costs, including transportation for participants, but not for capital improvements or youth employment programs. Applicants are encouraged to outline how their program will proceed if only partially funded and to identify the most critical budget components. Program fees charged to participants must be offset by the award to support scholarships. The SYPF ultimately seeks to provide equitable access to impactful summer programming that diverts youth from risky behaviors and supports long-term development.

Highlight community need and evidence-based outcomes; clearly align program components with evaluation rubric.