State Youth Grants

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is offering $57 million in grant funds for in-person before-school, after-school, before-and-after-school, and/or summer programming for children in grades K-12. This initiative aligns with MiLEAP's mission to prioritize education from preschool through postsecondary, focusing on kindergarten readiness and helping individuals earn skills or degrees for good-paying jobs. The grant specifically supports Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs that provide educational programming in core subjects such as mathematics, reading, and science. The target beneficiaries are children in grades K-12. The impact goals are to improve school attendance, academic outcomes, attitudes toward school, positive behaviors, skill development and retention, and higher education aspirations, as well as to enhance family engagement. MiLEAP's strategic priority is to prepare children for kindergarten and help more people earn a skill certificate or degree, and this grant directly contributes to that by funding programs that offer expanded learning opportunities and academic enrichment. The grant prioritizes the expansion of existing programs, establishment of new programs, hands-on academic enrichment, field trips, professional learning, and the development of school-community partnerships. It also supports expanded learning opportunities in areas like mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture, visual and performing arts, financial literacy, STEM, health and wellness, recreation, career and college exploration, youth voice, 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning, and cultural engagement. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in areas such as improved school attendance and academic performance, enhanced positive behaviors and skill development, and increased aspirations for higher education. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in comprehensive OST programming that addresses both academic and social-emotional needs, children will be better prepared for academic success and future career opportunities, thereby contributing to MiLEAP's broader goal of lifelong education and advancement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible New York-based organizations for distributing free books to children from birth to age five, promoting early literacy through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the System Agency, is accepting Applications for the targeted Houston Preventative and Primary Health (HPPH) Services provided in “At-Risk” or “Distressed” communities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to deliver services that expand access to no-or low-cost preventative and primary medical, dental, diagnostic, specialty, and children’s health services to improve the health of low-income adults and children in the targeted Houston area.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Virginia law enforcement agencies and educational institutions to establish and maintain co-responder teams that collaborate with mental health professionals in crisis situations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Kansas cities and counties for the construction or renovation of childcare and early education facilities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income families.

This grant provides financial support to Colorado school districts for implementing a comprehensive system aimed at improving academic and behavioral outcomes in schools identified as needing additional assistance.

This grant provides funding to various organizations in Washington State to create outdoor education and recreation opportunities for underserved and historically excluded youth.

This funding opportunity provides $35,000 to established community-based organizations in Kansas to develop strategic plans aimed at preventing substance use and promoting behavioral health within their communities.

This funding opportunity is designed to help mental health providers establish or expand intensive outpatient programs for children and adolescents in New York State, particularly in underserved areas, to improve access to essential mental health services.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that provide job skills training and employment pathways for justice-involved youth at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center in Washington, D.C.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) has launched the Youth Community Access Program, a competitive grant initiative designed to expand outdoor access and foster a healthier California. This program is rooted in supporting youth access to natural or cultural resources, with a specific focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. While the provided information does not explicitly detail the "foundation's mission alignment" or "strategic priorities and theory of change" in terms of a separate foundation, the CNRA's overarching mission to protect and restore California's natural resources and promote equitable access aligns directly with the program's goals. The program's aim to address and repair the multi-generational community impacts of the War on Drugs further underscores a commitment to social justice and community well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this program are youth, defined as individuals between birth and 26 years old, residing in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies, as well as other underserved communities. The impact goals are multifaceted: to promote youth health, safety, well-being, and comfort by facilitating direct access to natural or cultural resources. This includes supporting community education and recreational amenities for youth substance use prevention and early intervention, ultimately empowering youth to make healthy choices and fostering a healthier, more engaged generation. The program prioritizes projects that actively involve youth in all stages, from planning and decision-making to facilitation and evaluation. Additionally, projects that engage youth in outreach and awareness campaigns, and those that empower youth to make healthy choices, are given priority consideration. These focuses emphasize a youth-centric, participatory approach, aiming for sustainable community-led change rather than top-down interventions. The minimum award for an individual project is $25,000, and the maximum is $300,000, indicating a range of project scales supported. While specific measurable results are not explicitly outlined, the expected outcomes can be inferred from the program's requirements and priorities. These include increased youth participation in outdoor and cultural activities, enhanced community capacity for youth development, reduced instances of substance use through prevention and early intervention efforts, and improved overall health and well-being among young people in targeted communities. The emphasis on youth involvement in planning and evaluation suggests an ongoing feedback loop to assess program effectiveness and impact.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit and government organizations in Illinois to expand early intervention services for young individuals experiencing early serious mental illness, particularly those at risk of or already facing first episode psychosis.

This grant provides over $3.7 million to non-profits, universities, and schools to establish a Juvenile Assessment Center in New Orleans, focusing on prevention and intervention services for youth impacted by the juvenile legal system.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit and community organizations that offer essential services to victims of sexual assault, helping them recover and access vital resources.

This grant provides financial assistance for driver training scholarships to low-income teens in Ohio, helping them obtain their driver's licenses and improve their safety on the roads.

This program provides $500 grants to Missouri 4-H clubs and FFA chapters for youth-led projects that enhance rural community development and agricultural initiatives.

This program provides funding to public and nonprofit organizations in Indiana to develop community-based alternatives for youth in the juvenile justice system, focusing on reducing detention and improving outcomes.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CPDHE) Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) has established a grant program to support community-based initiatives aimed at interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation. This program aligns with the OGVP's mission to address disparities in communities at the highest risk by focusing on firearm suicide prevention and community violence intervention. The program targets communities and individuals most impacted by firearm homicides and suicides, including Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other People of Color communities; LGBTQIA+ communities; youth and young adults; veterans; middle-aged men; and isolated rural communities. The overarching impact goal is to reduce firearm-related harm and death, fostering safer and more resilient communities. The grant funding is structured around two primary paths. Path 1 focuses on the prevention of unintentional and intentional firearm-related harm through strategies like promoting safe storage, lethal means counseling, and educating the public on Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Path 2 is dedicated to Community Violence Intervention or Interruption, utilizing strategies such as Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs), Community-Based Intervention Programs (CVIPs) with "credible messenger" models, and Violence Interruption Programs that provide immediate responses to shootings and promote non-violence. Expected outcomes include a reduction in unauthorized firearm access, increased education on temporary out-of-home gun storage, decreased firearm suicides, and a decrease in community violence through intervention and interruption strategies. Measurable results will likely involve tracking participation in safe storage programs, knowledge of ERPOs, engagement in violence intervention programs, and ultimately, a reduction in firearm-related incidents and deaths in targeted communities. The OGVP's strategic priority is to address disparities in high-risk communities, and its theory of change posits that by investing in community-led initiatives focused on prevention and intervention, it can effectively break cycles of violence and trauma. Total available funding is approximately $500,000 each fiscal year, with up to 10 grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per awardee. The initial funding period runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with a potential for renewal through 2027. Eligible applicants include Colorado-based community and grassroots nonprofit organizations, nonprofit educational institutions, nonprofit healthcare organizations, and nonprofit organizations serving reservations or Tribal land. The program particularly encourages applications from organizations advocating for or serving the identified priority communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, that work to enhance safety, rights, and opportunities for vulnerable populations through various community-focused initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups in Ohio to deliver services and outreach for pregnant women, parents, and caregivers of infants, promoting family stability and self-sufficiency.