Massachusetts Youth Grants

This funding opportunity provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofit organizations serving youth and young adults with disabilities and mental health challenges in specific counties of Massachusetts and New York, particularly those supporting historically marginalized communities.

The 2024 Community Experts Fund focuses on initiatives that amplify youth voice within organizations. Donor Name: Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation State: Massachusetts, New York County: Barnstable County (MA), Dukes County (MA), Erie County (NY), Essex County (MA), Nantucket County (MA), Niagara County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant initiative has been developed by the Tower Foundation’s Community Experts Team, an 18-member group of young adults with lived expertise relating to the Foundation’s funding areas. The design and administration of this grant opportunity is spearheaded by young adults with ties to the communities where services will be delivered. Their engagement in the grantmaking process both amplifies community voice and informs grant making with the concerns, insights, and priorities of the young people that are the focus of the work. Funding Information Applicants may request any amount up to $25,000. Eligible Expenses Applicants may apply for funding to support youth leadership in their organizations in a variety of capacities. The following is a list of potential expenses. Other reasonable expenses for supporting your program work may also be considered. Stipends for youth participation A percentage of staff time to oversee and manage youth engagement activities Transportation and accommodation (e.g., transportation for young people to programming and related overnight expenses) Program supplies and food Community and recreational programming Outreach and promotion of youth leadership opportunities Technology and equipment (e.g., laptop or Zoom costs) Training (within or outside of the agency). Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations are youth-serving nonprofit organizations that: Work with young people with an intellectual disability, learning disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder; and Currently provide services in one or more of these regions: Massachusetts: Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, or Nantucket County New York: Erie or Niagara County. For more information, visit PETF.

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Office of Human Services (OHS), and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families are pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the Swim Safe Access Grant. Donor Name: City of Boston State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Swim Safe Boston seeks to improve water safety in Boston, address the public health threat posed by drowning, and increase access to swimming for Boston families. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swim lessons are one effective strategy to reduce drowning risk; some studies estimate that swim lessons can cut a child’s risk of drowning by up to 90 percent. Providing lessons that are free and easily accessible to families lowers barriers to access, especially for low-income residents.  Funding Information Total Amount Available for Grant Program: $250,000 Award Amount per Grant per Organization: Up to $49,999 Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:  Applicants must be a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Boston Public Schools-affiliated entities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants may apply for programs that run on an ongoing basis. Funding will NOT be available for one-time events.  Programming sites must be located in the city of Boston. Only beginner level swim programs will be eligible for funding under this grant. The goal of this program is to get as many residents as possible to have basic water safety skills, so this funding is not available for intermediate or advanced-level swim classes.  Programs funded by this grant must be free for participants.  Programs must be able to demonstrate that they either operate the aquatics facility where the programming will take place or that they have a partnership with an aquatics facility that can accommodate the proposed program.  Preference will be given to programs that serve Boston residents that are predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups or underserved markets. Swim Safe Award Recipient Requirements  If selected, the following will be required to remain in compliance:  Applicants or programs must be currently in operation or starting no later than October 1, 2024.  Award recipients will be required to attend a virtual Mandatory Award Orientation.  Award recipients must submit regular reports on program outcomes. The report format will be provided by the Mayor’s Office of Human Services. For more information, visit City of Boston.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that offer summer programs for youth in the Greater Lawrence area, focusing on enhancing educational and developmental opportunities while addressing achievement gaps.

The Sarah G. McCarthy Memorial Foundation is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a one-year duration to charitable organizations in Peabody, MA, supporting various sectors including arts, education, health, and housing, with applications open until September 30, 2024.

The 2024 Youth Development Fund (YDF), launched by the City of Boston's Human Services Cabinet, is a $1.5 million grant program aimed at supporting non-profit organizations that offer high-quality, engaging programs for youth and young adults aged 14-24. The fund prioritizes initiatives aligning with Mayor Michelle Wu’s Connect, Learn, Explore commitment, aiming to increase free youth programming and provide positive outlets for youth outside school hours. Applications are open until 5:00 p.m. on August 19, 2024. This year, the fund will offer two tracks of funding: one for small, emerging organizations and another for larger, established organizations. Emerging organizations will also receive technical assistance and capacity-building support through the Emerging Organization Learning Community. Mayor Wu emphasized the importance of investing in youth programming for the community's future, while Human Services Chief José F. Massó highlighted the fund’s role in partnering with diverse youth development organizations. The program aims to foster growth in small organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 through mentorship and support, while larger organizations can receive grants up to $30,000. The 2024 YDF will focus on sports, gardening, urban farming, culinary arts, arts, and other youth development programming, supporting initiatives across all Boston neighborhoods.

The City of Boston has launched the Third Annual Community Empowerment Grants, offering a total of $500,000 to strengthen capacity and expand programming for organizations supporting men and boys across Boston’s neighborhoods. Administered by the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Advancement (BMA), these grants provide up to $20,000 per organization to enhance programs aimed at empowering Black men and boys. Applications are open now and must be submitted by January 6, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The grants focus on seven key areas: Mentoring and Out-of-School Time, Youth and Young Adult Pathways, Housing Mobility, Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building, Workforce Training and Development, Fatherhood Engagement, and Mental Health and Wellness. Programs in these areas should foster social, economic, and emotional wellbeing for men and boys, providing pathways to success in education, housing, employment, and mental health. Building on the success of prior grant cycles, this year’s initiative introduces enhanced capacity-building support through the BMA Capacity Building and Impact Institute and mentoring opportunities in collaboration with Mass Mentoring. These programs offer personalized coaching, nonprofit training, and expert resources to help grantees amplify their impact and build long-term sustainability. To further promote collaboration, the BMA will facilitate a community of practice for grantees to share insights and strategies. Eligible applicants must be Boston-based organizations with a demonstrated history of positively impacting Black men and boys. Interested organizations can attend a virtual information session on December 11, 2024, at 12:00 PM via Zoom, with registration available on the BMA website. For further questions, applicants may contact the City of Boston grants team at [email protected]. In previous cycles, $1.5 million in Community Empowerment Grants has been awarded to 115 community-based organizations. This ongoing investment aligns with the BMA's mission to create equitable opportunities and lasting change for Black men and boys across Boston. For more details on this and other grant opportunities, visit www.boston.gov/grants.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and municipalities for summer programs that enhance academic achievement and mental health services for school-aged youth in Central and North Central Massachusetts.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Health & Wellbeing and Youth & Families Grant Program. Donor Name: Greater Worcester Community Foundation State: Massachusetts County: Worcester County (MA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is designed to be responsive and flexible and utilizes many trust-based philanthropic principles. They strive for this approach to take less total time for applicants, be more interactive, and provide a different method for storytelling. Focus Areas Requests should be to support a project/program that is both highly aligned in at least one of the strategies listed in our focus areas and the project/program or organization should be able to meaningfully address work being done in the lenses listed. Health & Wellbeing – Strengthening the systems that ensure those from historically excluded populations have equitable access to healthcare. Youth & Families – Ensuring families have what they need to thrive and that young people have access to critical supports and meaningful experiences. Funding Information Grant range is $2,500 – $25,000. Eligibility Criteria Types of Organizations 501c3 nonprofits, or any entity operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a 501c3. Collaboratives and coalitions with a fiscal sponsor and identified project lead. Houses of worship running community-serving programs that are not faith based and do not proselytize. Large multiservice institutions applying for well-aligned discrete projects. Geographic Location & Service Area Based in Worcester County and serve primarily its residents. Not based in Worcester County but have a meaningful physical presence. Providing an unduplicated service in Worcester County and can demonstrate they have authentic partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders. For more information, visit Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

The Island Foundation is accepting applications for a grant program, with a deadline of 10/23/2024, aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that focus on environmental conservation, social change in New Bedford, alternative education, and addressing inequality for womxn and girls.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits and community organizations working to improve health outcomes and address disparities in mental health, financial stability, and access to healthcare for residents in the Emerson Health service area.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in select U.S. markets that focus on youth education, storytelling, and community engagement initiatives.

This grant provides funding to Boston residents and community groups to host neighborhood block parties that foster community engagement and connection during the summer.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region for innovative projects that improve environmental quality and promote community health, with a focus on engaging at-risk and low-income youth.

The George B. Henderson Foundation offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for projects enhancing and preserving the outdoor elements of Boston, including parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural works, with a special interest in permanent public art projects and outdoor spaces, available to 501(c)(3) organizations and not individuals.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations in Massachusetts that deliver educational, human services, and healthcare programs for underserved youth and children.

This funding opportunity provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations in Western Massachusetts, focusing on enhancing social justice, community well-being, and local resilience.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to women in Massachusetts and New York for travel or equipment related to their studies, athletic pursuits, professional training, or alternative healing, helping to cover up to 50% of the associated costs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts that provide family-centered services to communities affected by the opioid crisis, focusing on prevention, recovery, and support for families impacted by addiction.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Boston for community-focused projects that enhance recreation, beautify public spaces, and offer educational experiences for children.