Pennsylvania Youth Grants

The Community Fund is an annual grant opportunity hosted by the Philadelphia City Fund in which community organizations are invited to submit proposals for charitable projects that address Philadelphia’s greatest areas of need and align with the City of Philadelphia’s goals to improve the quality of life for all residents. Donor Name: The Philadelphia City Fund State: Pennsylvania City: Philadelphia Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant opportunity is made possible through the Philadelphia City Fund’s partnership with the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, which allocates a portion of its annual revenues to the Community Fund. For the 2024 Community Fund grant cycle, the Fund and its partners at the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend seek to support programming that takes a holistic approach to youth wellness and inspires lifelong healthy activity. This year’s theme will focus on “Nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out of school time programming.” The Fund will accept proposals from charitable nonprofit organizations that provide out of school time (“OST”) programming that promotes the healthy physical, social, educational, and emotional development of youth, ages pre-K thru 12th grade, in Philadelphia. Funding Information The total funding allocated for the 2024 cycle is $250,000. Grantees will receive awards of $25,000 in unrestricted funds to be used however they see fit, which can include general operations, programmatic activities, or other costs that support the organization’s mission. Eligibility Criteria In order to be considered for funding, applications must be submitted according to the deadlines, eligibility, and format as set forth in these guidelines and on the online submission form. Applicants must demonstrate their charitable organization’s 501(c)(3) status. If the applicant organization will be sponsored by a charitable fiscal sponsor, the applicant must demonstrate its sponsor’s charitable 501(c)(3) status. The Fund seeks to support small nonprofit organizations. Only organizations with annual operating budgets which do not exceed $5 million are eligible. Only organizations that provide out-of-school time (“OST”) programming to youth in Philadelphia will be considered eligible. OST programming is defined as programs and activities designed for youth enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade to contribute to the overall well-being and safety of youth through access to services that promote their healthy, physical, social, educational, and emotional development. In order to increase equitable access to OST programming across the city, preference will be given to requests from organizations that provide programming in the following Priority ZIP Codes: 19120, 19124, 19132, 19134, 19138, 19139, 19141, and 19144. Priority ZIP Codes were identified through an analysis conducted by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Children and Families, Performance Management and Technology Team. This analysis used metrics related to quality of life (i.e. poverty rates, number of shootings, and percentage of youth involved with the City’s Department of Human Services (DHS)), the distribution of OST slots across the city, and the utilization of slots funded by DHS. Grant awards will be unrestricted, with a one-year grant term expected to begin in February 2025. Funding may be used as the grantee sees fit, which can include general operating support, programmatic activities, or other expenses that support the organization’s mission. Applicants will be expected to address the grant cycle theme “Nurturing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through out-of-school time programming” in their application, either by connecting the theme with their organization’s mission and/or programming, or, if you intend to use this funding to support specific programming, by explaining how the proposed activities meet the theme. Grant funds may be used to supplement (but not replace or redirect) any federal, state, and/or local funding currently provided. Grant funds will be awarded on a one-time basis, with no obligation for future funding from the Philadelphia City Fund. If awarded funding through this opportunity, grantees will be expected to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania childcare regulations throughout the grant term. In accordance with the Child Protective Services Laws, 24 P.S. § 1-111, as amended, and 23 Pa. C.S.A. §§ 6354-6358, it is required that all employees, officers, agents, servants, volunteers, or subcontractors of the grantee who will have direct contact with children must have: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 33) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance (Act 34) Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance Mandated reporter trainings For those sites operating in PA DHS Certified childcare sites, the National Sex Offender Registry verification is also required. If awarded funding through this opportunity, grantees will be expected to carry and maintain all insurance coverage reasonably necessary and appropriate under State and Federal laws during the grant term. Upon request, grantees must be able to provide the Philadelphia City Fund with a certificate of insurance evidencing its coverage. For more information, visit The Philadelphia City Fund.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education is inviting applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to develop or expand experiential learning opportunities. The goal is to engage secondary and postsecondary students in learning about working with students with disabilities, aiming to inspire future special educators. These opportunities include structured activities, programs, or events guided by current educators. The grant aims to foster the establishment or expansion of such opportunities and increase interest in special education careers among secondary and postsecondary students.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Philadelphia that provide programs focused on preventing gun violence, mentoring girls, and offering trauma-informed services, particularly during the summer months.

Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program that brings neighbors together to improve communities by combating blight, creating assets, and building resilience, block by block. Donor Name: The City of Pittsburgh State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects may include but are not limited to community garden maintenance, neighborhood clean-ups, or tree and flower planting. Successful projects will build strong partnerships, leverage donations, and most importantly, engage neighbors. In planning for strong and successful projects, consider the following priorities: Build strong partnerships Consider having local businesses come out and lend a hand or donate food or materials. Recruit volunteers from a local VFW post or have a service-learning component for youth. Leverage donations Consider having residents donate plants, compost material, or food for your volunteer event day. Make sure it’s feasible City loves creative ideas– but don’t bite off more than you can chew! If you have a huge idea, make Love Your Block a first step in the right direction and secure some other partners that can assist with your plans. Engage neighbors While your volunteers can come from anywhere, they’ve found that the most impactful projects utilize volunteers within proximity to the project. People like to be a part of what’s happening next door and are more likely to maintain and sustain the project afterward if they helped plan and implement it. Funding Information Love Your Block is a City of Pittsburgh program with a maximum award of $2,500. Funding is provided through reimbursement after project implementation. Eligibility Criteria Funding must be awarded through a nonprofit. If your organization is not a nonprofit, you can ask one to be your sponsor. Nonprofits are welcome to sponsor multiple projects. Projects must benefit the public. Projects on private property must have the written permission of the owner. All projects are subject to City of Pittsburgh Zoning and Permit guidelines. Project-related events must follow COVID-19 guidelines that are in place at the time of the events. For more information, visit The City of Pittsburgh.

The 4-H Reimbursement Program is designed to support county 4-H organizations in Pennsylvania by reimbursing a portion of their annual expenses for activities that promote leadership development. The program classifies organizations into four tiers based on membership, offering base funding plus additional per-member reimbursement. Tier 1 organizations with up to 1,000 members receive $1,000 plus $1.50 for each traditional member and $1.00 for each school enrichment/special interest member. Tier 2 covers 1,001 to 2,000 members with $2,500 base funding; Tier 3 includes 2,001 to 3,000 members with $3,000 base funding; and Tier 4 supports over 3,001 members with $3,500 base funding, with a maximum reimbursement of $9,000. The program aims to support the overall activities of the 4-H organizations, including public speaking, judging contests, scholarships, and administrative costs, among others. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: November 15th

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Forfeiture Fund is designed to support community-based anti-crime and anti-narcotics organizations in accordance with the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act and a court order from Sourovelis v. City of Philadelphia. This grant specifically focuses on organizations targeting at-risk youth through various programs, including after-school activities, violence and addiction prevention, recovery and rehabilitation from addiction, and reintegration and employment post-imprisonment with an emphasis on anti-crime/drug/violence initiatives. Funding is guided by the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and the US Department of Justice, aimed at grassroots community groups in Philadelphia with budgets of $5 million or less. The current grant cycle, running from 08/26 to 09/20, prioritizes Trauma, Healing and Support for Youth Impacted by Violence , offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Grant Opportunity: Improving Youth Mental Health Overview: The Cigna Group Foundation is committed to addressing youth mental health challenges post-pandemic. With a focus on supporting underserved communities, the foundation is allocating $9 million over three years to fund evidence-informed programs and services. The goal is to increase access to mental health intervention, equip parents and caregivers, and promote social-emotional skills among youth. Grant Details: Grant Range: $100,000 – $150,000 Term: One-year Eligibility & Requirements: Applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations. Budgets should cover eligible expenses related to the grant project, excluding certain overhead costs. Clear progress and impact measurement plans, aligned with addressing health disparities, are required. Grantees must provide progress and final reports during the grant term. Geographical Focus: Connecticut Georgia Missouri New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Application Timeline: Application Opens: April 17 Application Closes: May 22 Notification of Awards: Early July Grant Term Begins: August 1 Contact Information: For inquiries, contact [email protected].

This program provides funding to schools, organizations, and agencies to support youth-led environmental education projects and professional development for educators focused on local environmental issues.

The Trans Resilience Fund is a grant program of Gender Justice Fund to support regional trans communities. Donor Name: Gender Justice Fund State: Pennsylvania County: Bucks County (PA), Chester County (PA), Delaware County (PA), Montgomery County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Fund uses a participatory grantmaking process in which a committee of trans and non-binary community members sets guidelines and makes funding decisions. The Trans Resilience Fund is a pooled fund supported external funding partners. The 2024 funding partners are: the Claneil Foundation, the Collective Future Fund, the Homeless Assistance Fund, the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, and the Valentine Foundation. Priorities  The grantmaking committee will prioritize: Groups working in Philadelphia Groups serving BIPOC trans communities. Groups with trans and/or BIPOC leadership. Groups serving trans youth and/or disabled and/or elderly trans individuals. Funding Information Applicants may apply for grants of $5,000 or $10,000. Uses of funds  Organizations/ groups may use funds for different purposes, depending on their size and who they serve. Organizations with budgets of under $250,000, who also exclusively serve trans communities can apply to use funds for the following: Direct financial support for trans individuals via food, cash or transportation assistance; covering medical, housing, or utility costs; or payment of other expenses related to health and safety. Providing services to trans individuals. Organizing and advocacy for the trans community. General operating support. Organizations with budgets of under $250,000, who do not exclusively serve trans communities can apply to use funds for the following: Direct financial support for trans individuals via food, cash or transportation assistance; covering medical, housing, or utility costs; or payment of other expenses related to health and safety. Providing services to trans individuals. Organizing and advocacy for the trans community. Organizations with budgets of over $250,000, can ONLY apply for funds to be used for the following: Direct financial support for trans individuals via food, cash or transportation assistance; covering medical, housing, or utility costs; or payment of other expenses related to health and safety. Organizations applying in this category may use 10% of their grant to cover the cost of administering funds. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must be non-profit groups/organizations (two or more individuals working collectively to provide services to the broader community), not individuals or for-profit entities. Applicants do not have to be incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) organization but must certify that their work meets IRS criteria for funding. Applicants must be located in and serving Philadelphia and/or Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, or Delaware Counties. Both new and established groups/organizations are welcome to apply. Traditional nonprofit organizations as well as grassroots groups, including those with non-hierarchical leadership structures can apply. Applicants who received funding in 2023 are eligible to reapply but MUST complete a report on their previous grant in order to be considered. For more information, visit Gender Justice Fund.

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

Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greene County, the EITC Innovative Education Grants support innovative, advanced curriculum projects in public schools. These grants are aimed at projects that enhance the curriculum or academic program but are not part of the regular academic program. Past projects include computer labs, GIS software, and more. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall deadline: October 1st

Community Grants Fall Round applications for projects beginning after December 1: The Community Foundation of Greene County's General Community Grants are funded through the Field of Interest Funds and discretionary funds such as The Good For Greene Fund and The Francis “Bob” Bradford Fund. These grants support projects aligning with the goals of specific funds, aimed at enhancing the quality of life in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Projects can span various sectors including animal welfare, environmental protection, arts and culture, community development, education, health, and human needs. The award for a Community Grant does not exceed $5,000. Applications are considered based on their potential impact, promotion of cooperation among agencies, and effectiveness in addressing community needs. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: June 1st

This grant provides funding to support professional development and networking opportunities for teaching artists in the Philadelphia area, enabling them to deliver high-quality, inclusive arts education programs for youth.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations in Pennsylvania to develop environmental education projects that promote stewardship and awareness of natural resources, particularly focusing on climate change, water quality, and environmental justice.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers, focusing on enhancing job training, education, employment services, housing stability, and youth development initiatives.

Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greene County, the EITC Innovative Education Grants support innovative, advanced curriculum projects in public schools. These grants are aimed at projects that enhance the curriculum or academic program but are not part of the regular academic program. Past projects include computer labs, GIS software, and more. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Spring deadline: June 1st

The CONSOL Energy Excellence in Education Fund offers small grants aimed at supporting teachers and/or schools in enhancing classroom activities or teacher professional development activities directly benefiting students. Preference is given to projects not covered by the school budget or those that would require out-of-pocket expenses by teachers. Grant awards range between $250 to $500 per request. Applications are accepted year-round on a first-come basis, with specific deadlines for committee review. Grant renewed every year. Grant Fall Annual deadline: October 1st

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations seeking to improve or develop Pre-K education programs across the USA.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Greater Philadelphia that provide engaging arts education programs for young people aged 5 to 18, fostering creativity and personal growth through partnerships with skilled teaching artists.