At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant

The National Credit Union Foundation offers the At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant to support credit unions in developing or expanding programs that improve financial capability among vulnerable youth populations. The Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening financial well-being through credit unions, builds on prior initiatives such as the Foster Youth Financial Literacy Grant. This opportunity broadens the scope to include a wider range of at-risk youth, including those facing poverty, housing instability, justice involvement, and educational disruption, recognizing that early financial education and access are critical to long-term stability. The primary purpose of this grant is to equip credit unions with resources to deliver tailored financial education and accessible financial products to youth who may lack traditional support systems. Programs funded under this opportunity are expected to address root causes of financial instability by combining education with practical access to banking services. Allowable uses of funds include program design and delivery, partnership development, product innovation, and evaluation activities. There are no explicit restrictions outlined beyond alignment with program goals and appropriate use of funds. Eligibility is limited to federally or privately insured credit unions in good standing with their regulatory authorities. Applicants must demonstrate readiness to implement or expand financial well-being programs and must partner with at least one community organization that provides access to at-risk youth populations. Organizations are also required to commit to program implementation during the grant period and comply with reporting and storytelling expectations outlined by the Foundation. The application process requires submission of a detailed project plan through an online application portal. This plan must describe the target population, outline the financial education approach, identify community partners and their roles, provide an implementation timeline, and define success metrics. The Foundation may request additional documentation related to insurance, regulatory compliance, or financial condition during the review process. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program objectives, feasibility of implementation, organizational readiness, and potential for measurable impact. The Foundation uses both qualitative and quantitative criteria, including the number of youth served, improvements in financial knowledge and confidence, effective use of funds, and evidence of long-term sustainability. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to documenting and sharing their program journey, including lessons learned and impact stories. The total funding pool for this opportunity is 500,000 dollars, with individual awards generally up to 25,000 dollars per organization. Applicants may request higher amounts if justified. Approximately 20 awards are anticipated, depending on application strength and funding availability. There is no matching requirement specified. The grant period begins on September 30, 2026, and ends on September 30, 2027, with a final report due at the end of the performance period. Key dates include an informational webinar on May 27, 2026, an application deadline of June 26, 2026, and notification of awards by August 2026. The grant is not explicitly described as recurring. Questions regarding the application can be directed to Christine Hickey, Financial Health Program Senior Manager, via email or phone.

Focus on strong justification for funding amount, demonstrate measurable impact, and highlight sustainable partnerships