Best Grants for Youth Programs

The Let's Play Boston: Relief Grant, offered by the City of Boston, aims to support community-based youth sports organizations facing financial challenges. With funding up to $2,000, this program helps ensure that youth athletes, aged 8 to 19, can continue their sports participation despite unexpected costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or until February 28, 2026, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in youth sports.

The Transition Age Youth Advocacy Grant aims to empower young individuals aged 16-25, particularly those with serious mental health challenges, to advocate for their needs within California's behavioral health system. By fostering leadership and engagement, this initiative seeks to involve these youth in meaningful advocacy efforts that address issues like homelessness and involvement in justice systems. The goal is to create a supportive environment that reflects their realities and promotes their agency.

The P.U.L.S.E. of Noble County Grants aim to support nonprofit organizations in enhancing educational and service-related programs for the youth of Noble County. Grants up to $1,000 are available for projects that align with the mission of fostering lifelong service and education. Applicants must submit a detailed proposal, budget, and IRS Tax Determination Letter. Successful recipients will need to fulfill reporting requirements to maintain eligibility for future grants.

The Centre PACT Grants, established by the Centre Foundation, empower high school students in Centre County to engage in philanthropy. This program encourages youth to identify community needs and support local nonprofits through fundraising and grant distribution. Focused on Basic Needs Access, Education Access, Health and Wellness, and Environmental initiatives, these grants foster a culture of giving and aim to create a positive impact on the lives of young people in the community.

Forward Turn is a youth-led grantmaking program aimed at enhancing community giving in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties. It empowers young individuals to address critical issues such as substance abuse, bullying, and mental health. Funded by the Community Foundation, it encourages projects that promote collaboration and resource leveraging among youth, nonprofits, and local organizations. With a focus on impactful initiatives, Forward Turn prioritizes proposals that are written by youth to foster community involvement and positive lifestyles.

The Silicon Schools Fund Grant supports innovative K-12 education models in California, focusing on empowering students and enhancing teaching through technology. By investing in excellent charter, district, and independent schools, as well as education support providers, the fund aims to create engaging learning environments that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Their commitment to educational excellence fosters a collaborative approach to developing effective teaching tools and strategies.

The Dale Jr. Foundation is dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth through targeted support in five key areas: Empowerment, Education, Wellness, Hunger, and Hope. By providing safe homes, educational resources, and healthy food, the foundation helps children overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. Their commitment extends to various charities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The foundation emphasizes community support and holistic care, making a significant impact in the lives of many young people.

The Van Program by Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa offers vital transportation services to at-risk and underprivileged children. Over 40 years, the program has provided over 400 vans to nonprofits, ensuring children can attend medical appointments, therapy sessions, and recreational activities. This initiative supports families facing financial strain while fostering community connections and inclusivity. With a mission to enhance the lives of children with special needs, Variety is committed to making a positive impact across Iowa.

Wegmans Family Foundation Inc focuses on cultivating healthy communities through support for hunger relief, health initiatives, education, and youth programs. They prioritize collaborations with local nonprofits to enhance community well-being, offering assistance in key areas like economic mobility and youth engagement. Despite their wide-ranging support, they have specific ineligibility criteria, such as not accommodating personal requests or solicitation on their property, aiming to direct resources effectively where they are needed most.

The West Hawai‘i Fund, established by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in West Hawai‘i, from North Kohala to Ocean View Estates. It aims to enhance community resilience, promote equitable access to services, and strengthen organizational capacity. The fund prioritizes projects that foster connections within the community, ensuring long-term sustainability and vibrant support for local residents. With multiple grant rounds each year, it provides essential resources for impactful community initiatives.

The Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Grants, provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, aim to enhance structured programming opportunities for at-risk school-age youth. These grants support local and statewide projects designed to expand out-of-school time (OST) initiatives, thereby fostering a more supportive environment for youth development and engagement. Through these efforts, the BOOST program seeks to address critical needs in communities and promote positive outcomes for participants.

The PRO 2026-06 Mental Health Wellness Uniting Grant aims to promote mental health wellness for families and youth in Hillsborough County. Approved by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, this grant focuses on funding services that enhance behavioral support, resource navigation, and social connections. It targets parents of children aged 0-18 and youth aged 11-18, emphasizing collaboration and measurable outcomes. Organizations with expertise in mental health are encouraged to apply.

The Ochylski Family Foundation supports registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through grants aimed at enhancing their operational capacity. With an application deadline of October 1, organizations must submit a detailed request outlining their initiatives. The foundation's mission aligns with its commitment to foster community development and nonprofit effectiveness in Iowa, ensuring that resources are allocated to impactful projects that serve the public good.

The Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants program aims to inspire generosity and strengthen communities in the Dubuque region. Since its inception in 2003, it has focused on meeting the basic needs of families and children, including food, shelter, education, safety, and health. Grants are awarded to local agencies that effectively serve these needs, creating lasting change and promoting inclusivity across all communities served by Theisen’s.

McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants focus on addressing food access and insecurity for youth aged 16-24 in underserved communities. With an investment of $8.5 million since 2022, the initiative aims to empower local organizations through project-based funding. Key priorities include enhancing workforce readiness and promoting food access via food banks, community gardens, and mobile markets. This grant program emphasizes community engagement and sustainability to foster resilience and support for young people in Chicago.

The Schrafft Charitable Trust offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts focused on youth development. Prioritizing those serving underserved populations aged 6-21, the Trust supports programs that enhance educational, artistic, and economic opportunities. New grantees must submit a Letter of Intent if they haven't received funding in the last three years. The Trust aims to foster paths to independence through community-driven initiatives, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its funding decisions.

The Children, Youth, and Families Grant supports programs fostering equity and resilience among youth in Colorado. By partnering with community leaders, the initiative aims to create safe, nurturing environments for children, helping them thrive. Funding is available in areas such as basic needs, emotional well-being, behavioral health, and economic stability. Organizations can apply if they serve the Colorado community and adhere to specific eligibility criteria. This grant is essential for promoting long-term prosperity and equity for families.

The 2025-2026 Amachi Texas program, administered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to provide essential mentoring relationships for children of incarcerated parents and at-risk youth. By connecting these young individuals with caring adult mentors, the program seeks to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration, promote resilience, and empower youth to reach their fullest potential. This initiative is crucial for fostering positive development and educational success in vulnerable communities across Texas.

The Alice and Richard Henriquez Memorial Fund and Youth World Awareness Program, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, supports young individuals (ages 14-22) from Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess, and northwest Litchfield counties. It provides grants for international travel experiences aimed at promoting peace and justice. Since 1995, this initiative has encouraged students to engage in humanitarian work abroad, fostering cultural understanding and personal growth while addressing social injustices.

The BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant supports young artists aged 13-19 in the Berkshire Taconic region, providing financial assistance for summer enrichment programs in the arts. Established in 1998 in memory of folk singer Bill Crofut, the fund aims to empower youth through small grants that can cover costs for tuition, art supplies, or living expenses. The grant fosters creativity and personal growth, ensuring that young individuals have opportunities to pursue their passions.

About F. R. Bigelow Foundation

F. R. Bigelow Foundation funds programs and helps shape initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and downtown Saint Paul, while enhancing the quality of life in the East Metro area.

Since its founding in 1946, F. R. Bigelow Foundation remains committed to its founding principle of making the Saint Paul community a better place to live, learn and grow. From 1946 through today, the Foundation has invested deeply into neighborhoods across the East Metro, with an emphasis on Saint Paul.

Systems Change Grant Program 

Our Systems Change Grant Program supports efforts to help systems adapt, transform and/or be disrupted to achieve more equitable results.

F. R. Bigelow Foundation believes that our community should not only benefit from our work, but inform and form it as well. Creating solutions to today’s issues requires a collaborative approach. Our work is also rooted in a commitment to racial equity.

The goal of our Systems Change Grant Program is to support efforts to help systems adapt, transform and/or be disrupted to achieve more equitable results.

To do this, we support organizations, programs or initiatives in or serving the East Metro working to address root causes of issues impacting the East Metro.

General operating support will be awarded to organizations, programs or initiatives in or serving the East Metro working to address root causes of any issue impacting the East Metro (including, but not limited to, the five funding priorities of our Community Solutions Grant Program). 

In 2026, up to $1,200,000 is available for this grant program, and we anticipate awarding approximately two to three grants.

The Foundation’s Systems Change Grant Program seeks to address root causes of any issue impacting the East Metro, including, but not limited to, the five funding priorities of our Community Solutions Grant Program:

• Arts & Culture
• Community & Economic Development
• Health
• Human Services
• Youth & Education

Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Founded in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley.

The Foundation is deeply committed to our local nonprofit community and our grant-making program is focused on assisting nonprofits by fostering collaboration and supporting direct services. The goal of the Foundation is to help our nonprofit partners fulfill their mission more effectively and efficiently. We strive to fund projects that touch many lives and enrich the overall quality of life in our region.

Discretionary Grants Program

The Discretionary Grants Program’s purpose is to improve the quality of life for residents in GLCF’s 21 communities: Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Westford and Wilmington.

Grant funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Discretionary Grants Program includes the following strategic funding categories: Leclair Elder Services, Children’s Services, LGBTQ+.

Please Note: To encourage partnerships between our nonprofits, a nonprofit can apply for a grant category AND be a partner on other grant proposals but not be the lead applicant. Agencies with multiple service sites should submit only one application for all sites.

Children’s Services

GLCF will award multiple grants of up to $10,000 each to projects that support services for children. The Foundation welcomes proposals that improve the quality of life for children and young adults (birth to age 22.)

Grant decisions and amounts will be determined based on a variety of factors, including:

• Organization size - understanding the impact of a grant of this size on your organization
• Location(s) of impact - demonstrating commitment to Greater Lowell and role in the region’s social services ecosystem, including strong & established local collaborations and partnerships
• Organization impact and reach - including population served, # of households served, type(s) of programming oKered, etc.
• Organization’s leadership and financial health

The Pedestrian & Bicycle Program, funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation, aims to enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. With an available budget of $49,380,000 for the 27-29 biennium, it supports projects like bike lanes and sidewalk improvements. The program emphasizes the importance of active transportation and requires annual reporting on project statuses to ensure transparency and accountability.

Safe Routes to School Program

The Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS) provides funding to improve safety and mobility for children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Funding from this program is for projects within two miles of primary, middle and high schools (K-12).

Concurrent with the federal safe, accountable, flexible, efficient transportation equity act of 2005, a safe routes to school program is established within the department. The purpose of the program is to:

Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;

Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Call for projects open

Funding proposals are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School Program. The estimated available funding amount is $56,950,000 for the 27-29 biennium

Headstream Accelerator 2026

Accelerator Application Cohort VI

The Headstream Accelerator supports entrepreneurs from all backgrounds in scaling digital solutions that improve the mental well-being of teens at risk, with a focus on the education and healthcare sectors. Our four-month, virtual-first program is designed for early-stage innovators, helping them strengthen their business models, refine their value propositions, and build the foundation for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.

Benefits:

• $30,000 non-dilutive stipend 
• Partnership with youth from Headsteam’s Youth Co-Creator Club to gain insights on cultural relevance, age-appropriateness, and user experience, ensuring your solutions resonate deeply and effectively with the next generation 
• Access to a network of expert advisors, connect with a community of founders, and engage with potential investors and capital providers 
• Access to one-on-one and group coaching sessions with our partner, FounderWell

Participant Expectations:

• Attend all activities, including virtual cohort and youth co-creation sessions, advisor calls, and an in-person kickoff event from July 28–30, 2026
• Commit 2–5 hours weekly during the program, including virtual sessions, advisor network office hours, guide calls, and more
• Embed youth voices throughout your product development

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

About The NRA Foundation

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

The NRA Foundation Supports Freedom, Family, and the Future of the Shooting Sports

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.

The heart of The NRA Foundation’s mission is preserving the core of our American values and traditions in our steadfast effort to Teach Freedom.

Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. Funds granted by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States including children, youth, women, individuals with physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement officers, hunters and competitive shooters.

Awards

The NRA is proud to recognize the contributions of those who have demonstrated dedication to the promotion of the Second Amendment, significantly impacted the preservation of the shooting sports, advanced the purposes and goals of the NRA and exemplified leadership through public service. Each year, women, youth, clubs, law enforcement officers and NRA Foundation volunteers are awarded for their efforts in pursuit of these principles.

NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award

The NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award encourages and recognizes those junior shooting sports participants who take an active part in their community and shooting sports through individual contributions, educational pursuits, and accomplishments.

The award is designed to promote a greater appreciation of the programs the NRA has to offer and to increase awareness of the shooting sports activities in which youth can participate. 

Once a participant meets the requirements, he or she will be eligible for our National prizes. Our National award winners will receive:

• 1st place - $5,000 
• 2nd place - $3,000
• 3rd place - $2,000