Basic Center Program
This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations that assist runaway and homeless youth under 18 by offering emergency shelter and essential services to help them find stability and reunite with their families.
The Basic Center Program (BCP) is administered by the Administration for Children & Families, through the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program aims to provide immediate and comprehensive support to runaway and homeless youth who have left home without parental permission, have been forced to leave, or otherwise face homelessness. The program seeks to divert these vulnerable youth from involvement in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems by offering temporary shelter and critical supportive services. The BCP is designed to establish or enhance community-based programs that address the immediate needs of youth under the age of 18. Services provided include emergency shelter for up to 21 days, food, clothing, counseling, and referrals for health care. The overarching goal is to reunite youth with their families when possible or to facilitate appropriate alternative placements. Additional services offered may encompass street-based outreach, home-based family support, substance abuse education and prevention, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases upon request by the youth. The total estimated funding available for this program in fiscal year 2025 is approximately $16,873,000. Individual awards will range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000, with an anticipated 67 awards to be distributed. Cost sharing or matching is required, and priority consideration will be given to public and nonprofit private agencies with experience in serving runaway, homeless, and street youth. Eligible applicants include public agencies, nonprofit private entities, and coordinated networks of these groups. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible to apply. Faith-based and community organizations that meet eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered on an equal basis. Applications from foreign entities are disqualified. Priority is extended to agencies demonstrating a track record of relevant service delivery. The forecasted opportunity number is HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-CY-0006. The estimated posting date is June 16, 2025, with applications due by July 30, 2025, no later than 11:59 pm EST. Awards are anticipated to be announced by August 29, 2025, with projects commencing the same day. The program listing is identified under Assistance Listing 93.623. Applicants must adhere to the specific submission requirements as outlined. The program contact is Gloria Watkins, reachable at 202-205-9546 or via email at Gloria.Watkins@acf.hhs.gov. The opportunity remains discretionary and is part of the broader category of Income Security and Social Services, with potential benefits linked to Opportunity Zones.
Award Range
$50,000 - $250,000
Total Program Funding
$16,873,000
Number of Awards
67
Matching Requirement
Yes - Match Required.
Additional Details
Funding supports emergency shelter, counseling, and supportive services for runaway and homeless youth. Includes up to 21 days of shelter, counseling, street-based services, home-based services, drug prevention, and STD testing upon youth request.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Eligible applicants include public and non-profit private agencies and coordinated networks of such entities. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. In selecting applicants to receive grants under this funding announcement, priority will be given to public and non-profit, private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity. Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject to the protections and requirements of 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., ACF will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
June 16, 2025
Application Closes
July 30, 2025
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