Youth Sports and Education and Team Sports Funding Program

The Broome County Youth Bureau Request for Proposals is a locally administered funding opportunity supported through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Youth Bureau operates with a mission to promote and encourage a comprehensive system of services for children and youth through planning, funding, coordination, evaluation, and advocacy. This funding opportunity is part of a broader effort to enhance youth development systems across Broome County, with a focus on ensuring access to high-quality programs for young people. The initiative reflects state-level priorities around youth engagement, positive development, and equitable access to recreational and educational opportunities. The purpose of this funding is to support programs that provide youth sports, education, and developmental opportunities for young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The funding streams include Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding and Youth Team Sports Funding, both of which emphasize structured, supervised programming that promotes physical health, mental well-being, educational achievement, and community cohesion. Programs are expected to serve youth in under-resourced communities and align with principles of positive youth development, including fostering leadership, social-emotional growth, and long-term success outcomes. Funding can be used for a variety of programmatic expenses directly related to youth programming. Allowable costs include personnel such as coaches, instructors, mentors, and program staff, as well as training and professional development. Additional eligible expenses include equipment and uniforms, facility or field space costs, referee fees, educational programming expenses, and certain capital improvements such as fields, lighting, and safety equipment like automated external defibrillators. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning organizations must incur costs and then submit claims for reimbursement through the Youth Bureau. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations capable of delivering structured youth programming. Applicants must demonstrate organizational competency in governance, financial management, evaluation, and partnerships. Programs must adhere to child protection policies and collect participant demographic data for reporting purposes. Certain entities and activities are explicitly excluded, including for-profit businesses, private foundations, discriminatory organizations, political or lobbying efforts, and projects focused on elite or private sports programs. Priority is given to programs serving marginalized or under-resourced populations, including youth in low-income communities, youth with disabilities, and other groups facing barriers to participation. The application process requires submission of both a hard copy and an electronic version of the complete application package. Required components include the Broome County Youth Bureau Grant Application Form or EZ form depending on funding level, a program budget summary, and multiple state-required OCFS forms. Additional documentation such as proof of nonprofit status is required for new applicants. Applications must be submitted by 3:00 PM on July 13, 2026. Following submission, proposals undergo a multi-step review process involving the Youth Bureau Advisory Board, the County Legislature, and final approval by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Applications are evaluated based on cost effectiveness, measurable outcomes, alignment with youth development priorities, and completeness of submission. The process is competitive, and not all applications will be funded. There is no appeals process. Funding decisions are subject to available state allocations, and final award amounts may vary. Successful applicants enter into a one-year contract, with program activities eligible for reimbursement beginning October 1, 2026. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements, including annual assessments, mid and final reports, and site visits conducted by Youth Bureau staff. The timeline for this funding cycle begins with the release of the request for proposals on June 1, 2026, followed by the application deadline on July 13, 2026. Funding notifications are expected by September 30, 2026, pending legislative approval. Programs operate on a one-year cycle through September 30, 2027, after which applicants must reapply for continued funding. While matching funds are not required, applicants demonstrating additional funding support may be more competitive. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Broome County Youth Bureau via phone or email.

Ensure alignment with priority populations and youth development outcomes; submit complete and accurate application; demonstrate measurable impact and cost effectiveness