New York Youth Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofits, schools, and civic organizations in Columbia County, New York, to develop programs that help young people transition from education to the workforce through internships, skill-building, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community health projects in Monroe County that address local health needs and social determinants of health.

This funding opportunity provides $5 million each to two eligible regions in New York State to improve school food infrastructure, promote local farm products in school meals, and support workforce development in related fields.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New York State to establish crisis intervention teams that assist youth at risk of psychiatric hospitalization, promoting family engagement and community-based care.

The Tioga County Youth Bureau in New York is accepting applications for grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to fund youth development, after-school, recreation, and sports programs run by non-profit organizations, with the aim of promoting the well-being of youth and families in under-resourced communities.

This grant provides funding for middle school students in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to engage in philanthropy by awarding grants to local nonprofit organizations of their choice.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities serving the residents of Pulaski and the Town of Richland, focusing on innovative projects that enhance community life in areas such as arts, education, health, and civic affairs.

The Manhattan Community Awards Program (MCAP) invites applications from Manhattan-based organizations to address key community needs. This grant program, contracted through the Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Department of Corrections (DOC), and the Department of Education (DOE), offers one-time contracts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 as reimbursement grants. The program's mission aligns with supporting local communities by funding initiatives that directly address identified priorities within Manhattan, aiming to foster positive social change and improve the well-being of its residents. The target beneficiaries of the MCAP are diverse, including seniors, youth, and intergenerational populations, as well as participants in arts, composting, and various educational and recreational programs. The program aims to create a tangible impact by supporting services and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for these groups. Impact goals include improving health, fitness, education, nutrition for seniors, increasing access to arts and cultural programming, promoting climate mitigation and resiliency through public engagement and green projects, and fostering youth development through sports, arts, and health and wellness programs. The MCAP prioritizes several core focus areas for FY25. These include Senior Programs, encompassing health, fitness, education, nutrition, arts, cultural programming, and food access for seniors. Climate Mitigation and Resiliency is another key area, focusing on public engagement for Manhattan-based resiliency projects, green roof initiatives, hydroponics, and community gardens. Education is also a significant priority, with an emphasis on after-school sports and physical education, youth arts, and youth health and wellness programs. Finally, Anti-Gun Violence Initiatives are critical, supporting intervention programs, social justice-focused arts partnerships, and school-arts organization collaborations pertaining to anti-gun efforts. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the expected outcomes are implicitly linked to the success of programs within the focus areas. For senior programs, outcomes would include improved health metrics, increased social engagement, and enhanced food security. Climate initiatives would aim for increased community participation in environmental projects and the implementation of green infrastructure. Educational and youth programs would strive for improved academic engagement, physical well-being, and artistic development. Anti-gun violence initiatives would seek reductions in violence and increased community safety through intervention and awareness. The program’s strategic priorities are deeply rooted in addressing immediate community needs and fostering a more resilient, educated, and safe Manhattan. Its theory of change posits that by directly funding local organizations that are embedded in these communities, the program can effectively implement solutions tailored to specific challenges, leading to widespread and sustainable community benefits.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dutchess County, New York, that offer established after-school programs focused on academic and enrichment activities for youth.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Massachusetts and New York that support young individuals facing intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders, with a focus on historically marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Syracuse for projects that enhance affordable housing, homeownership, and community programs for residents of all ages.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

The United Way of Northern New York (UWNNY) is offering 2025 Community Impact grant funding to local nonprofit human service organizations. The program aims to support outcome-driven, collaborative, and equity-focused community-based organizations. UWNNY's mission is to connect with and provide funding to organizations that strengthen the community's impact. The program is aligned with UWNNY's broader strategic priorities of addressing critical community needs through targeted interventions. The grant specifically targets organizations serving residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and/or St. Lawrence Counties. Priority is given to proposals that focus on underserved and underrepresented populations, address unmet needs, utilize a collaborative approach, and serve individuals or families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) or living in poverty. The program's impact goals are to support programs that align with primary areas of focus: Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), Child/Youth Success, and Economic Stability. The Community Impact Fund has clear priorities and focuses. For Social Determinants of Health, the focus is on interventions addressing access to nutrition, housing, healthcare, literacy/language, education, and transportation. For Child/Youth Success, programming should provide vital supplies and support for academic success, growth, development, and a healthy transition into adulthood. For Economic Stability, the focus is on short- and long-term strategies to help people gain or maintain stability, such as job skills training, soft skills development, and support for those at risk of falling into poverty. Expected outcomes include improved access to essential services, enhanced academic and developmental success for children and youth, and increased economic stability for individuals and families in the targeted counties. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed for each objective, the emphasis on "outcome-driven" organizations suggests a focus on demonstrable impact and progress towards these goals. The theory of change implicit in this grant is that by funding strategic, collaborative, and equity-focused programs in these key areas, UWNNY can contribute to a more resilient and thriving community, particularly for its most vulnerable populations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and independent artists in Sullivan County for arts, cultural, and heritage projects, whether in-person or virtual.

This program provides financial support and resources to community-driven environmental initiatives in underserved areas of New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and federally recognized Indian Nations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and artists in Sullivan County to create structured arts education programs in collaboration with schools or community partners.

The Creative Learning Grant Program, sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), is designed to foster the growth and capacity of Manhattan-based teaching artists and small arts organizations. Its core mission aligns with promoting community-based arts education projects for youth, adults, and older adults. The program is funded through a combination of City funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund and State funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants program, indicating a strategic partnership to broaden arts access. The primary beneficiaries are Manhattan's teaching artists and small arts organizations that are unable to directly apply for City and/or State arts funding. The program targets the development of sequential, skill-building arts study and participatory arts projects. The impact goals are to enrich communities through accessible arts education, delivered in local settings such as senior centers, recreation centers, public libraries, and community centers, thereby strengthening the cultural fabric of Manhattan. The program prioritizes organizations and individual artists with a core artistic mission or a history of arts programming, and those based in Manhattan with proof of nonprofit status (for organizations). A key focus is on supporting entities that do not directly apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program or for DCLA (GNYADF) or NYSCA (Statewide Community Regrants) funds in another county/borough for the same fiscal year. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session webinar to ensure understanding of the program's guidelines and expectations. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of high-quality, community-based arts education projects and an increase in the capacity of teaching artists and small arts organizations. Measurable results are demonstrated through the awarding of grants in amounts of $4,000 and $8,000, with projects taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2025. This structured approach ensures a clear project period and defined funding tiers for evaluation. LMCC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, revolve around fostering local arts initiatives and ensuring that arts funding reaches a diverse range of artists and organizations who might otherwise face barriers to direct funding. The theory of change suggests that by empowering these local artists and organizations through financial support and capacity building, there will be a direct positive impact on community engagement with the arts and the overall well-being of Manhattan residents of all ages.

This funding opportunity provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofit organizations serving youth and young adults with disabilities and mental health challenges in specific counties of Massachusetts and New York, particularly those supporting historically marginalized communities.

The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation invites local nonprofits, schools, churches, and municipalities to apply for grant funding. Eligible projects must serve town of Essex residents through community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, or programs for youth and senior citizens. The deadline to apply is May 24. ECF gives strong preference to capacity building grants or modest one-time capital projects. It does not award grants for ongoing operating expenses. While grants typically range from $250 to $2,000, the maximum a potential grantee can request is $5,000. After reviewing applications, the ECF committee anticipates making grant recommendations in June with funding available as early as July. Applications must be submitted online through Adirondack Foundation’s Online Grants Manager: adirondackfoundation.org/granting/online-grants-manager For more information about ECF grants, please call Colleen Van Hoven at (518) 569-3141 or email colleenvanhoven@gmail.com or email leslee.mounger@adkfoundation.org. To learn more about community funds at Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: May

The 2024 Community Experts Fund, spearheaded by the Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation, is a grant initiative designed to amplify youth voice within organizations. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission by directly engaging young adults with lived expertise in the grantmaking process, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by the concerns and priorities of the young people it aims to serve. This strategic approach underscores a theory of change that values authentic youth engagement as a catalyst for effective and impactful program development. The target beneficiaries of this grant are youth-serving nonprofit organizations working with young people who have an intellectual disability, learning disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder. The program specifically prioritizes services delivered in Massachusetts (Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, or Nantucket County) and New York (Erie or Niagara County). The impact goals include fostering youth leadership and ensuring that community voice directly shapes grant allocation and program design. The fund focuses on supporting a variety of initiatives that empower young people. Eligible expenses include stipends for youth participation, staff time dedicated to youth engagement, transportation and accommodation for youth programming, program supplies and food, community and recreational programming, outreach and promotion of youth leadership opportunities, technology and equipment, and training. This broad scope allows organizations to tailor their proposals to specific needs while adhering to the core objective of youth empowerment. Applicants can request up to $25,000 to support their programs. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis on youth-led design and ongoing engagement suggests an expected outcome of sustainable youth leadership within recipient organizations. The measurable results would likely include increased youth participation in organizational decision-making, development of youth-led projects, and the overall strengthening of youth voice in the designated service regions. This grant opportunity exemplifies the Foundation's strategic commitment to empowering young people and integrating their perspectives into community-based solutions.