Local Youth Grants

The Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) offers three grant programs for the period of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025: the Cultural Grant, Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant, and Local Community Grant. These programs collectively aim to fund programming expenses for arts, culture, history, or heritage organizations. COCA's mission, as evidenced by these grants, is to foster and support cultural and artistic endeavors within Florida, with a particular emphasis on Leon County's tourist attractions and broader community engagement. The Cultural Grant specifically aligns with the mission of attracting tourists by requiring applicants to promote their activities to visitors outside of Leon County, thereby leveraging arts and culture for economic development through tourism. The target beneficiaries for all three grants are arts, culture, history, or heritage organizations. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to enhance cultural programming, provide educational opportunities for both young people and adults in arts, culture, and history, and serve diverse populations or unique community needs. For the Cultural Grant and Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant, a key impact goal is to increase tourism to Leon County by showcasing its cultural assets. The Local Community Grant, while sharing similar programming goals, focuses on broader community engagement within Leon County, without the explicit tourism attraction requirement. Priorities and focuses for the Cultural Grant include offering exemplary arts and cultural programs, providing educational opportunities, and serving special or diverse populations. A significant focus is also placed on attracting tourists, requiring specific marketing plans and reporting on out-of-county visitors. The Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant directly supports this by offering additional funds for out-of-county marketing. The Local Community Grant shares the programming and educational priorities but emphasizes community impact and engagement within the local area. Expected outcomes include a robust offering of high-quality cultural programs, increased educational opportunities in the arts, and greater accessibility for people with disabilities. Measurable results for the Cultural Grant and Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant involve tracking the number of out-of-county visitors served by grant-funded programs and demonstrating effective out-of-market advertising. For all grants, applicants are expected to have documented statistics on attendance and participation, representing a broad community impact. COCA's strategic priorities are thus aligned with supporting both cultural enrichment and economic development through tourism, underpinned by a theory of change that posits that funding well-planned and promoted cultural programs will lead to increased community engagement, educational attainment, and tourist visitation.

This program empowers high school students in Black Hawk County to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations, fostering youth philanthropy and community engagement.

The Springfield Foundation's Competitive Grant Program aims to support the entire Clark County community through six focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to foster a community with strong cultural vitality, engaged citizens, improved environmental awareness, quality education, better health outcomes, and a strong safety net for human needs. The foundation emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing various facets of community well-being and growth. The program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals of all ages experiencing art and culture, Clark County citizens for civic engagement, residents for environmental appreciation, children for early education and college readiness, individuals at risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, those with mental health issues or chronic diseases, and families/individuals needing human services. The impact goals are to increase diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improve civic knowledge and participation, increase environmental awareness and pet welfare, boost kindergarten readiness and college/career preparedness, improve reproductive and mental health, better manage chronic diseases, and achieve financial stability and positive outcomes for all people, especially youth and seniors. The foundation prioritizes increasing opportunities for artists and audiences, educating and engaging active citizens, fostering environmental appreciation and reducing homeless pets, increasing enrollment in early childhood programs and post-secondary preparation, impacting community health by addressing unintended pregnancies and STIs, improving mental health and chronic disease management, and assisting families and individuals with emergency needs, family breakdown prevention, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living. A key strategic priority is also promoting positive outcomes for all people, with specific attention to youth and seniors. The expected outcomes and measurable results include increased diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improved civic knowledge and participation, increased citizen participation in environmental activities, a decrease in homeless pets, more children enrolling in early childhood programs, increased parental involvement in education, more students in post-secondary preparation, improved mental health outcomes, decreased incidence of unintended pregnancies and STIs, better management of chronic diseases, and increased financial independence and overall quality of life for individuals and families. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these diverse focus areas, they can create a more vibrant, engaged, educated, healthy, and supportive community for all residents of Clark County.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life in Butler County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community betterment.

Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants aim to foster youth activities and engagement within Howard County by supporting free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to empower community organizations with resources to create impactful programs for young people, particularly during non-school hours. The grant's strategic priority is to enhance youth well-being and development through structured engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits increased access to supportive out-of-school programs leads to improved social-emotional learning, mental health, and overall youth development. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEP! Grants are young people in Howard County. The program's impact goals include providing community organizations with the means to develop and expand programs that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and general activities for youth. By offering these programs outside of traditional school hours, the grants seek to address critical periods when young people may most benefit from engagement and support, thereby contributing to their holistic development and reducing potential negative outcomes associated with unstructured free time. The grants prioritize programming that occurs at least monthly over a 12-month period, engaging youth during weekends, after-school hours, and the summer. A key focus is on ensuring programs are either free or low-cost, with proposals needing to demonstrate how cost barriers are minimized for participants. Additionally, proposals are encouraged to leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County, fostering a collaborative approach to youth development and maximizing resource utilization across the community. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of young people served by engaging activities, a broader geographic impact of programs within Howard County, and successful engagement of youth across various age groups. Grant recipients are required to track performance data, including the number of young people served, geographic reach, and age of youth served, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the County Executive. This rigorous reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides measurable results, allowing the Howard County Government to assess the effectiveness of the YEP! grants in achieving their objectives and continually refine their strategic approach to youth engagement.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant dollars to support the important work of early child care providers in Will County. Child care providers pursue grant funding for educational materials, developmental support services, and/or improvements to physical space and technology. The “Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant” represents a key priority for Will County: Supporting and empowering early childhood development throughout the county. The grant is funded in the FY2024 budget, utilizing allocated dollars from the State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. Will County is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to administer the grant. Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Providers can submit multiple applications for award through the grant. Child Care providers have until May 22, 2024 to apply! Only DCFS Licensed Child Care providers within Will County are eligible. A virtual technical assistance workshop will be held on April 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

This funding opportunity supports Anne Arundel County Public School clubs and youth organizations in implementing peer-led education programs focused on preventing substance misuse among youth.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Napa County that focus on wildlife conservation, education, and habitat improvement projects, particularly those benefiting school-aged children.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) Traffic Safety Division (TSD) is offering the Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) Grant, a funding initiative designed to reduce fatalities and severe injuries on Indiana's roads. This grant aligns with the ICJI's mission to enhance public safety by supporting projects that address critical areas of traffic safety. The program provides financial assistance to state agencies, units of local government, and nonprofits, enabling them to implement evidence-based strategies that lead to tangible improvements in traffic safety across the state. The TSIP Grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including various state and local government entities, universities, colleges, coalitions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The primary impact goal is to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic incidents in Indiana. This is achieved by funding projects that address a diverse set of priority areas, all aimed at fostering safer driving environments and behaviors. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on several key areas. These include reducing injuries and fatalities from excessive speed, promoting the proper use of occupant protection devices, mitigating impaired driving, preventing crashes involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, and reducing school bus crashes. Furthermore, the program emphasizes preventing crashes from unsafe driving behavior, improving law enforcement services related to traffic safety, enhancing driver performance, and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. Other critical areas of focus include improving traffic records, crash investigations, roadside safety for emergency vehicles, and teen driver programs. Expected outcomes of the TSIP Grant include a measurable decrease in traffic-related injuries and fatalities throughout Indiana. By supporting initiatives in the identified priority areas, the program aims to create safer roads, promote responsible driving, and enhance the overall effectiveness of traffic safety measures. The requirement for grant recipients to comply with reporting standards, including submitting quarterly performance measures, ensures accountability and allows for the tracking of measurable results, demonstrating the program's impact in achieving its safety objectives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Vancouver, Washington, to deliver essential supportive services and rental assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those in Safe Stay and Safe Park sites.

The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is currently accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. This grant aims to foster recreational opportunities and conserve valuable natural resources within Sheboygan County. Applicants can submit projects under three main categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, all subject to case-by-case review. Projects may include land and easement acquisition, development or restoration of parks and trails, protection of water resources, and habitat restoration, among others. Funds awarded by the Stewardship Grant cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or acquisition. The deadline for application submission is May 3, 2024. A matching requirement of 1:1 is necessary for grant consideration.

This grant provides funding for youth-led projects in Forsyth County, North Carolina, aimed at addressing community challenges and creating positive impacts for local youth.

This mini-grant program provides funding to Boston residents and nonprofits for neighborhood block parties during the Halloween and fall season, promoting safe and festive community celebrations.

This grant provides financial support to artists in specific Minnesota counties to help them advance their careers through various artistic projects and professional development opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote environmental conservation, such as improving soil health and water quality, particularly benefiting low-income communities and people of color in East Multnomah County.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led projects in Fairfax County aimed at reducing mental health stigma and promoting suicide prevention among peers.

The City of Flint has launched a new Youth Climate Action Fund, a microgrant program designed to empower youth-led climate initiatives. This program aims to support projects that advance critical community goals related to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The fund's mission aligns with the broader objective of fostering a more sustainable and resilient Flint by investing in its younger generation as agents of change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 15-24 residing in Flint, who will collaborate with local groups, organizations, nonprofits, and schools to implement their projects. The impact goals are far-reaching, intending to cultivate youth leadership, increase community participation in climate action, and produce tangible environmental improvements within the city. This approach recognizes that youth are not only vulnerable to climate change impacts but also possess unique perspectives and innovative solutions. The fund prioritizes a diverse range of youth-led projects, including awareness, education, research, and development initiatives such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. It also supports youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects like community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, urban farming, recycling, waste reduction, and disaster preparedness programs. Additionally, the fund encourages co-governed youth climate action plans, fostering partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy and the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Expected outcomes include a more informed and engaged youth population, a reduction in environmental waste and an increase in green spaces, improved community resilience to climate-related challenges, and the development of new climate-related policies influenced by youth perspectives. Measurable results will likely involve the number of youth engaged, the types and scale of projects implemented, the amount of waste diverted, the number of trees planted, and the development of new community programs or policies. The City of Flint's strategic priority through this fund is to build a foundation for long-term climate action by investing directly in its youth, thereby creating a sustainable future rooted in community-led solutions and a strong theory of change that empowers the next generation to tackle pressing environmental issues.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that enhance the welfare of residents in Fayette County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

The Creative Learning Grant Program, sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), is designed to foster the growth and capacity of Manhattan-based teaching artists and small arts organizations. Its core mission aligns with promoting community-based arts education projects for youth, adults, and older adults. The program is funded through a combination of City funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund and State funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, indicating a strategic partnership to broaden arts access. The primary beneficiaries are Manhattan's teaching artists and small arts organizations that are unable to directly apply for City and/or State arts funding. The program targets the development of sequential, skill-building arts study and participatory arts projects. The impact goals are to enrich communities through accessible arts education, delivered in local settings such as senior centers, recreation centers, public libraries, and community centers, thereby strengthening the cultural fabric of Manhattan. The program prioritizes organizations and individual artists with a core artistic mission or a history of arts programming, and those based in Manhattan with proof of nonprofit status (for organizations). A key focus is on supporting entities that do not directly apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program or for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar to ensure understanding of the program's guidelines and expectations. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of high-quality, community-based arts education projects and an increase in the capacity of teaching artists and small arts organizations. Measurable results are demonstrated through the awarding of grants in amounts of $4,000 and $8,000, with projects taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This structured approach ensures a clear project period and defined funding tiers for evaluation. LMCC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, revolve around fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that arts funding reaches a diverse range of artists and organizations who might otherwise face barriers to direct funding. The theory of change suggests that by empowering these local artists and organizations through financial support and capacity building, there will be a direct positive impact on community engagement with the arts and the overall well-being of Manhattan residents of all ages.

The City of Tucson is offering a two-year grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to local organizations and businesses for programs in areas such as relief for families and workers, small business support, community reinvestment, workforce development, and affordable housing, with a focus on long-term, data-driven investments to address inequities and expand community services.