Youth Team Sports Programs

The Youth Team Sports Programs Request for Proposals is issued by the County of Westchester through its Youth Bureau, acting as an agent of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Bureau’s mission is to ensure equitable access to services and opportunities that support the healthy development of children, youth, and families. This funding initiative builds on appropriations first established in the 2023 to 2024 New York State budget and continued for the 2026 to 2027 cycle. The program is grounded in the principles of Positive Youth Development and aligns with the New York State Touchstones Framework, emphasizing structured, supportive, and inclusive programming environments. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and implementation of competitive youth team sports programs serving individuals under the age of 18 in Westchester County. The initiative prioritizes underserved and under-resourced communities, including populations facing barriers to participation such as youth with disabilities, marginalized groups, and those living in areas with higher poverty or crime rates. Programs must provide structured team-based athletic activities and integrate youth development principles such as physical and emotional safety, supportive relationships, skill building, and community engagement. Funding is available for eligible nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations that are capable of organizing and delivering team sports programming. Awards are offered up to a maximum of 50000 dollars per program, with each organization permitted to submit up to two program proposals. The funding period is expected to span approximately twelve months, beginning on or about October 1, 2026 and ending on or about September 30, 2027. Allowable expenses include personnel such as coaches and mentors, equipment and uniforms, facility rentals, referee fees, capital improvements related to sports infrastructure, and safety equipment such as automated external defibrillators. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring organizations to submit documented expenses for approval. Eligibility is restricted to local nonprofit corporations with valid tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or community-based organizations operating within Westchester County. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, including governance, financial stewardship, and the ability to collect and report participant data. Organizations must also maintain a child protection policy and secure required insurance coverage. Ineligible applicants include for profit entities, private foundations, discriminatory organizations, and programs focused on elite or private sports participation rather than community access. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package via email in PDF format by the stated deadline. Required components include a signed cover letter, proposer certification, detailed program narrative, budget documentation, proof of nonprofit status, financial audit, insurance documentation, and multiple compliance schedules. Applications must adhere strictly to formatting and submission guidelines, including original signatures where required. Proposals that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Clarification requests must be submitted in writing prior to the designated deadline, and responses are posted publicly. Proposals are evaluated based on a structured scoring system that considers organizational capacity, program design, demonstrated community need, and budget justification. The County reserves the right to negotiate terms, request presentations, or reject proposals. Final award decisions are subject to approval by the Westchester County Board of Acquisition and Contract and the County Attorney. Contracted programs are subject to monitoring, reporting requirements, and periodic site visits to ensure compliance and program quality. The timeline for this opportunity includes an issue date of August 5, 2026, a deadline for clarification questions on August 12, 2026, and a final application submission deadline of August 27, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. Formal responses to clarification requests are posted by August 17, 2026. The funding opportunity does not explicitly indicate recurrence, but it is based on continued state budget allocations, suggesting potential future cycles subject to legislative funding.

Focus on clearly demonstrating community need strong program design and alignment with youth development principles ensure all required documents are complete and compliant with formatting rules