Youth Development Programs

The Youth Development Programs funding opportunity is administered by the Westchester County Youth Bureau, acting on behalf of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Bureau’s mission is to ensure equitable access to services, supports, and opportunities that enable children, youth, and families to thrive. This program is grounded in the Positive Youth Development philosophy and the New York State Touchstones Framework, which together emphasize strengths-based approaches, youth engagement, and long-term developmental outcomes. The Bureau seeks to fund programs that address the diverse and urgent needs of youth populations across Westchester County, particularly those considered at risk. The purpose of this funding is to support nonprofit organizations in delivering innovative youth development programs for individuals under the age of 21. Programs must promote well-being and skill development through structured services, opportunities, and supports. Eligible program areas include civic engagement, education, workforce readiness, physical and emotional health, community involvement, and family support systems. The Bureau prioritizes programs that serve at-risk youth, including those involved in the justice system, experiencing homelessness, facing academic challenges, or dealing with mental health or substance use risks. Funding for each program ranges from 10000 to 30000 dollars for a single-year contract period. Funds must be used for programmatic activities and cannot be applied to prohibited costs such as fundraising, lobbying, capital construction, or budget deficits. Programs must align with one specific life area, goal, and objective from the Touchstones Framework and incorporate one defined service, opportunity, or support category. Funding does not carry over between years, and applicants may submit no more than two proposals. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501c3 and in good standing with the New York State Charities Bureau. Applicants must serve youth within Westchester County and demonstrate the ability to deliver community-based services, collect required data, and comply with reporting and evaluation requirements. Organizations must also maintain non-discrimination policies and possess the operational capacity to manage funded programs effectively. Applications must be submitted electronically via email in PDF format and include a complete set of required documents such as a signed cover letter, proposer certification, program narrative, budget forms, proof of nonprofit status, financial audit, insurance documentation, and multiple compliance schedules. Proposals must strictly follow submission instructions, including formatting and signature requirements, and incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. The evaluation process is based on a weighted scoring system that considers organizational capacity, program design and need, compliance and monitoring capability, evaluation strategy, and budget justification. The County will select proposals that are most advantageous based on these criteria, not solely on cost. Selected applicants may be required to participate in interviews or presentations, and final awards are subject to contract approval by County authorities. Key dates for the application cycle include an issue date of August 5, 2026, a deadline for clarification questions on August 12, 2026, and a final proposal submission deadline of August 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated contract period runs from approximately October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. There is no matching requirement for this funding opportunity, and programs are funded for a single year only, with the possibility of future cycles depending on state funding availability.

Focus strongly on program design and demonstrated community need as this carries the highest evaluation weight and ensure all required documents are complete and properly signed to avoid disqualification