New York Youth Grants

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 grant provides funding for projects that improve the ecological health of Long Island Sound, targeting local organizations, governments, and communities engaged in habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and environmental education within the watershed.

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.

This program provides funding to assist families caring for loved ones with developmental disabilities, offering a variety of support services to help them maintain care at home and improve their quality of life.

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making up to $3M in Title I Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide Activities funding available under the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG-4) Request for Applications (RFA). The purpose of this RFA is to expand New York State (NYS) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) training by increasing employment opportunities for approximately 130 apprentices, with a focus on underrepresented populations. These apprentices will enter trades in high-demand occupations, with a focus on the emerging fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Information Technology, as well as other in-demand occupations. Please note that this solicitation focuses on promoting the expansion of NYS RAs and as such, RAs in the field of Construction are not eligible for funding under this RFA unless the trade is to be used for the upkeep and maintenance of a facility owned by the business entity employing the apprentice, such as plant maintenance trades.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit Child Care Resource and Referral agencies in New York State to establish regional centers that recruit and train substitute caregivers, addressing workforce shortages in child care programs.

This funding opportunity supports non-profits, municipalities, school districts, and educational service boards in New York State to improve school meal preparation infrastructure, promote local farm products, and enhance workforce development in the food industry.

This grant provides financial support to organizations and educational institutions that create programs for youth in Poughkeepsie, promoting positive development, active lifestyles, and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to pediatric and family medical practices in New York State to implement an evidence-based program that integrates early childhood mental and physical health care for children ages 0 to 3 and their families.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations that provide training and resources to improve adolescent health programs across New York State, focusing on sexual health and overall wellness for youth.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Monroe and Ontario Counties to create engaging summer programs for youth aged 3-18, focusing on learning, skill-building, and social-emotional development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to transport youth to county and local agricultural fairs, promoting education and community engagement in agriculture.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to school districts in New York State to help refugee and immigrant students transition into schools, engage their families, and improve educational outcomes for English Language Learners.

This program provides financial support for transportation and related costs to help youth groups attend county and local fairs, promoting agricultural education and engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and Tribal groups in New York to train young people from disadvantaged communities for careers in clean energy and environmental conservation.

This grant provides financial support to small nonprofits focused on promoting diversity and inclusion for underserved communities, including various racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA+ groups.

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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits and government agencies in Western New York to support initiatives that assist caregivers, preserve community assets, enhance access to recreational spaces, and expand youth sports opportunities.