Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Youth

The **Mardag Foundation** is now accepting applications for its **2024 Grant Program**, supporting organizations that promote equity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life for Minnesotans. Rooted in collaboration and racial equity, the foundation’s approach emphasizes community-informed work that empowers marginalized populations and fosters lasting, inclusive change. Grant funding is available to organizations serving residents in **Greater Minnesota** and the **East Metro counties of Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington**. The foundation’s giving focuses on three primary areas. The first is **improving the lives of low-income children, youth, and families** who face barriers to opportunity. Priority is given to organizations serving marginalized communities—especially Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)—and addressing intersections of education, mental health, basic needs, employment pathways, healthcare access, and housing stability. Projects that eliminate inequities and expand equitable opportunities for youth and families are especially encouraged to apply. The second focus area supports **older adults who face isolation, financial hardship, or barriers to full participation in community life**. Funding will prioritize organizations serving low-income older Minnesotans, particularly those who are also members of marginalized groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, or people with disabilities. Grants may support efforts to meet basic needs, improve caregiving quality, promote mental health, reduce isolation, and enable aging in place through stable and safe housing. The foundation also welcomes programs fostering **intergenerational connections**, which enrich both older adults and younger participants through shared experiences. The third priority is **strengthening community vitality through arts and culture**. The Mardag Foundation believes that the arts play a vital role in honoring diverse cultures and fostering shared understanding. Funding will support arts and culture organizations that elevate underrepresented voices and amplify the creative contributions of BIPOC, low-income, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Through these efforts, the foundation aims to build stronger, more connected, and culturally vibrant communities across Minnesota. The foundation offers two types of grants: **General Operating Support** and **Capital Project grants**. General operating grants provide flexible funding to nonprofits that serve at least 50% of their beneficiaries in the East Metro or Greater Minnesota. Capital grants support facility improvements or equipment purchases for projects based in these same regions, typically distributed over multiple years. Eligible applicants include **501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and religious organizations**. Preference is given to entities whose work is led or informed by the people most affected by the issues they address. The Mardag Foundation does not fund organizations using fiscal sponsors, those exclusively serving Minneapolis or the West Metro, scholarships, sectarian programs, or large-scale capital campaigns for private schools or universities. By focusing its support on community-led efforts that address inequality and strengthen social infrastructure, the foundation continues its mission of advancing opportunity, dignity, and well-being for all Minnesotans—especially those facing the greatest barriers to success.

The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund is inviting applications for grants from nonprofit or public entities within the Thief River Falls School District area. Grants are intended for projects, programs, or activities that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of the Thief River Falls area. Primary focus areas include youth engagement, social need, senior enrichment, and overall quality of life enhancement. Applications are open until May 1, 2024. The fund is a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, which serves 12 northwestern Minnesota counties. More information and application details can be found on their website.

This funding opportunity supports projects that foster educational, cultural, and technological collaborations between the U.S. and Qatar, targeting nonprofits, educational institutions, and individuals focused on youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to manage international youth exchange programs, facilitating high school students from various countries to study in the U.S. and U.S. students to study abroad, promoting cross-cultural understanding and youth leadership.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various government and nonprofit organizations for developing and implementing emergency preparedness plans in juvenile justice residential facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of youth and staff during emergencies.

This program provides funding to support tree planting and urban forestry projects in disadvantaged communities across Georgia, promoting long-term environmental benefits.

The Outdoor Equity Fund is currently open for the 2023 grant cycle, with a total of $1.7 million awarded to 54 programs in 16 counties. This funding will provide outdoor experiences for approximately 20,000 kids. The grant cycle is open on a rolling basis until funds are expended, and additional funding is available for this cycle. The fund aims to support transformative outdoor experiences that foster stewardship and respect for lands, waters, and cultural heritage. Potential applicants are encouraged to complete their applications early as multiple rounds of reviews are anticipated. In previous years, the Outdoor Equity Fund has awarded over $800,000 to 48 organizations in order to get 12,391 kids outside through 2023. In 2021, the fund supported 57 recipients who will collectively engage more than 22,000 young New Mexicans in outdoor activities through 2022. In its inaugural year in 2020, the fund awarded over $270,000 to 25 applicants across the state. The Outdoor Equity Fund seeks to address the disparity in access to outdoor experiences for underrepresented youth and aims to provide opportunities for these individuals to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of New Mexico.

This grant provides funding to educational agencies and organizations to implement effective technology-based tools that improve reading outcomes for students with disabilities from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Eau Claire area for high-impact projects that improve the quality of life for local residents.

This funding opportunity supports Maryland-based public and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to engage communities and implement projects that protect and restore local natural resources, particularly in the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led conferences and workshops across the Pacific region, aimed at empowering emerging leaders aged 25 to 40 to collaboratively tackle critical regional challenges in areas such as security, food supply, digital media, and public health.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. and Cabo Verdean non-profit organizations for projects that strengthen cultural ties and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

The U.S. Embassy BURKINA FASO Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. This notice is subject to availability of funding. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS Burkina Faso invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and BURKINA FASO through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Examples of PDS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to: Academic and professional lectures, seminars and speaker programs; Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; Cultural heritage conservation and preservation programs; Professional and academic exchanges and programs; Civic education projects that promote democratic processes and human rights; New media concepts projects aimed at reaching wider audiences; Youth community service projects that promote democratic processes and encourage volunteerism; Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with alumni of U.S. exchange programs. Priority Program Areas: Programs to bolster understanding and practices of Democracy, Human Rights, and Good Governance. This may include projects that encourage participation in civil society, especially for women, religious minorities, and youth. Programs that seek to promote a better understanding of diversity, inclusion, religious freedom, gender rights, persons with disabilities, underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged communities, and/or other aspects of human rights. Creative programs that advance one or more of the priority areas listed above, to include but not be limited to, economic empowerment, youth development, peace and security. Programs promoting English language capacity through projects that encourage the usage and learning of English language as a tool for civic and economic development. Programs that increase transparency, media professionalism, access to diverse new sources, media literacy, etc. Projects may develop the capacity of Burkinabe media, a tradition of fact-checking and research for journalists and/or media consumers, capitalize on social media use for greater transparency, and/or expand such programs beyond the capital and secondary cities. Authorizing legislation, type and year of funding: The source of funding is FY2024 Public Diplomacy Funding.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations serving Native Hawaiians to enhance their capacity in preventing and responding to domestic violence and family violence through culturally relevant resources and training.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and cultural groups to implement programs in Mozambique that promote education, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange while fostering U.S.-Mozambique shared values.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that will help improve diabetes prevention and management for underserved populations by offering expertise, training, and resources to enhance health equity.

This funding opportunity provides small grants to organizations and individuals in Sierra Leone for projects that promote cultural, educational, and civic engagement, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding with the United States.

The Preschool Development Grant is a three-year federal initiative designed to bolster Delaware's early childhood system, ensuring it is inclusive and integrated to support the development and learning of all children and their families from birth through age 5. With an $8 million award for its first year, following a $4.2 million PDG B-5 grant received in December 2018, the grant aims to provide high-quality early learning experiences and facilitate a smooth transition to kindergarten for children. Approximately $4.8 million of the grant is allocated to expand home-visiting services and state-funded preschool seats, while $3.2 million is dedicated to enhancing support for professionals, including technological advancements delayed by the pandemic. Key initiatives funded by the grant include expanding state-funded preschool programs, piloting the Family Connects home visiting model, updating family materials for resource and referral, enhancing workforce support for early childhood professionals, developing a mental health consultation program for home visitors, and updating the state’s strategic plans for a cohesive birth to five strategy.

The FY25 Education Grant Program supports a wide array of teacher-led classroom and school-wide initiatives. Education grants are distributed annually each fall with a special reception for awardees in November. Eligible applicants include Public, MSDE approved nonpublic, or Middle States Accredited schools serving pre-K through 12th grade on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, specifically in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. Successful applications typically show broad support from school leadership, creativity in addressing challenges, a robust evaluation plan, potential for replication, sustainability prospects, and a direct connection to student success and well-being. Note that capital expenditures, field trips, previously funded programs at the same school, and costs associated with fundraising, playground equipment, faculty compensation, or office equipment are generally not funded. Special consideration is given to necessary equipment purchases and field trips that are integral to a larger educational project. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible organizations and governments to improve legal representation for indigent youth in the juvenile justice system, ensuring they receive quality defense services.