City of Poughkeepsie Youth Activities and Opportunities Grant

The City of Poughkeepsie Youth Activities and Opportunities Grant is administered by the Youth Services Division within the Division of Youth Opportunity and Development. The overarching mission of this division is to promote positive youth development in the City of Poughkeepsie by engaging with community stakeholders and offering strategic support and training. The grant program is a core component of this mission, aiming to create safe, enriching environments for youth while fostering lifelong skills and community engagement. The grant program provides financial assistance to organizations, clubs, leagues, and educational institutions that offer programs for children residing in the City of Poughkeepsie. These funded programs are intended to promote active lifestyles, encourage positive youth development, foster instructional and performance-based opportunities, and build a sense of community. Applicants are encouraged to propose initiatives such as camps, activities, workshops, or other community-based youth programs that meet the City’s outlined priorities. Each application must detail how funds will be used, who the program will serve, and how outcomes will be monitored. Applicants are also required to provide a total program budget, which must adhere to funding restrictions—for example, salary expenses covered by the grant cannot exceed 25% of the total awarded amount unless otherwise agreed upon. The maximum funding request allowed per applicant is $12,000. Programs may be new, existing, or expanded versions of previous initiatives, and applicants must justify how grant funding will support the proposed scale or impact. Mandatory development training is a condition of funding. Grantees must complete training sessions, including the Mandated Reporter Training (required every two years) and at least one of five approved workshops from the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College annually. Optional training through the Positive Youth Development 101 Series is also encouraged. Training certificates must be submitted to the Youth Services Director, Karen Williams, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 845-451-4016, within 30 days of receiving the award letter in order to receive funding disbursements. Contractors and newly hired staff must also complete the mandatory trainings to remain in compliance. The application cycle opens in January, with an application deadline of February 22, 2026. An information session will be held at City Hall on January 29, 2026. Award notifications are expected in late February. Following selection, an orientation meeting for grantees will take place on March 19, 2026. This timeline ensures that applicants and awardees are fully supported through both administrative and programmatic phases of the grant. Applicants must submit a completed application form, along with a staff list, board list, and proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The grant program prioritizes funding for programs that serve City of Poughkeepsie youth and demonstrate potential for measurable outcomes. Evaluation criteria include clarity of program goals, fiscal responsibility, community benefit, and capacity to implement and monitor progress effectively. Awards are determined based on both qualitative and budgetary assessments conducted by the Youth Services Division.