Grants for Youth Programs, After-School, and Out-of-School-Time Nonprofits
Federal, state, and foundation grants for youth development organizations, after-school programs, summer programs, mentoring, and youth leadership initiatives.
Federal youth funding flows mainly through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (after-school programs), the Department of Justice OJJDP (juvenile justice and mentoring), and the Department of Health and Human Services (positive youth development).
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Common questions about grants for youth development programs
What federal grants fund after-school programs?
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is the largest federal funder of after-school and summer learning, administered by state education agencies after a federal allocation. Other federal sources include the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, AmeriCorps after-school programs, and USDA's Summer Food Service Program for meals.
Are there foundation grants for youth development?
Many. The Wallace Foundation has been a major after-school funder for two decades. The William T. Grant Foundation funds youth-development research. The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds youth-in-foster-care work. The Ford Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, the Pinkerton Foundation (NYC-focused), and many community foundations operate youth-program funding lines.
What grants exist for youth mentoring?
Mentoring-specific federal funding flows through OJJDP's Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative. Foundation funders include the William T. Grant Foundation, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, and many community foundations. The MENTOR National Mentoring Partnership operates technical-assistance grants for mentoring programs.
Are there grants for summer programs specifically?
Yes. Summer programs can access 21st CCLC funds (which support summer programming in addition to after-school), USDA Summer Food Service Program for meals, the Wallace Foundation Summer Learning Initiative, and city-specific summer-youth-employment programs that pass federal CSBG dollars through.
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