Youth Team Sports Grant Program

The Youth Team Sports grant program is a state-funded initiative administered locally through the Orange County Youth Bureau, with funding provided by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This program is designed to expand access to organized team sports opportunities for youth under the age of 18, particularly those living in underserved or under-resourced communities within Orange County. The initiative reflects a broader state and county commitment to youth development, health, and equitable access to extracurricular programming that promotes physical activity, teamwork, and personal growth. The primary purpose of the grant is to support community-based organizations in delivering structured team sports programming that is accessible to youth who might otherwise lack such opportunities. Funding is intended to offset costs associated with program implementation, including equipment, staffing, facility use, and related programmatic expenses. Programs must take place within Orange County, although limited travel may be permitted with prior approval. The funding is structured to ensure that awarded organizations can create safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate sports environments. Eligibility is restricted to not-for-profit organizations operating within Orange County, including both secular and faith-based entities, as well as partnerships or consortia comprised of such organizations. Schools and municipalities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The program encourages applications from organizations that have not previously received funding from the Orange County Youth Bureau, thereby broadening participation and increasing access to new service providers. The application process is managed through a formal Request for Proposals released by the Orange County Department of General Services. All proposals must be submitted directly to this department, which serves as the sole point of contact during the submission period. Applicants are required to submit inquiries in writing, either via email or fax, and responses are compiled into an addendum accessible to all applicants. Direct contact with the Youth Bureau during the submission phase is not permitted, ensuring compliance with state procurement regulations and maintaining a fair and transparent process. The timeline for the grant includes several key milestones. The Request for Proposals was released on July 7, 2026, with a deadline for written questions on July 23, 2026. An addendum addressing submitted questions is expected around August 7, 2026. Final proposals must be submitted by August 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, and late submissions will not be accepted. Awards are expected to be announced on or about October 8, 2026, with the contract period beginning the same day and extending through September 30, 2027. Applications are reviewed following an initial compliance audit by the Department of General Services to ensure all required materials are included. Compliant proposals are then forwarded to the Youth Bureau for formal evaluation. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the announcement, the structured review process suggests an emphasis on completeness, alignment with program goals, and organizational capacity to deliver effective youth sports programming. The program does not specify any matching fund requirement, indicating that awarded funds can be used directly for program implementation without additional financial contribution from applicants.