Best Grants for Youth Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota youth programs and child-serving nonprofits can seek support for youth services and children’s development, particularly for diverse and lower-income families. Focused on empowering children and other vulnerable groups in the Pacific NW and beyond, Jtmf Foundation invites organizations whose work fits its priorities to introduce themselves, though it is not currently accepting unsolicited grant requests.

Youth-serving charities in Minnesota focused on children’s needs can access funding through the CAPTRUST Community Foundation’s National Partnership Grant program. CAPTRUST Community Foundation provides Minnesota youth services with opportunities for significant support, including a major Charity of Choice award and multiple national grants for organizations aligned with its mission to serve children.

Youth-focused organizations running education or microenterprise development projects in Minnesota can apply for the Madelyn L. Laschober Endowment Fund, offering up to US $1,000. Grants from Partners of the Americas help support small-scale youth, education, and microenterprise initiatives, which may benefit Minnesota youth programs that fit these priorities.

Nonprofit organizations supporting youth, housing, social services, veterans, or civic initiatives in New Hampshire communities can apply for St. Marys Bank Charitable Foundation’s community support grants, with awards of US $500 - US $5,000. Minnesota youth programs may be eligible if they serve these priorities and operate within the funder’s listed service areas.

Nonprofit organizations offering youth services and related social programs in Minnesota can apply for US $500 - US $5,000 in project-based support from St. Marys Bank Charitable Foundation. Funding supports activities that build financial independence and economic self-sufficiency, and may also benefit programs addressing homelessness, housing, veterans, and broader community needs.

Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government programs serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth can receive Ross gift cards, usually valued between US $300 - US $500, to purchase school or professional clothing. Grants from Ross Stores Foundation help youth programs focused on academic achievement, financial literacy, mentoring, STEM, and career readiness near Ross or dd’s DISCOUNTS stores.

The CDC's National Centers of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs) aim to expand the evidence base for preventing youth violence among individuals aged 10 to 24. This initiative supports rigorous evaluations of prevention approaches, community engagement, and training for early career researchers. By establishing partnerships and focusing on communities with above-average youth violence rates, the YVPCs seek to enhance collaborative efforts and effectively disseminate research findings to inform future prevention strategies.

The CDC's K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award aims to support new investigators in conducting vital research to prevent interpersonal violence and suicide among children and adolescents. This grant encourages proposals that address critical public health issues, including adverse childhood experiences and youth violence, while fostering research independence. Applicants are expected to explore the impact of technology on violence and demonstrate the relevance of their findings to prevention efforts.

About

What is the Pizza Hut Foundation?

In pursuit of happiness, the Pizza Hut Franchisee community, in partnership with Pizza Hut U.S. is proud to announce the formation of the Pizza Hut Foundation.

Our foundation is seeking to touch the lives of over 100 youth annually by partnering with youth-serving nonprofit organizations focusing on literacy education programs to enable our team members and their peers to be career and life ready.

Pizza Hut Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under the Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

About the Slice of Literacy Grant

The bi-annual grant opportunity awards up to $10,000 to public libraries and non-profit organizations that are actively working to improve literacy initiatives in Pizza Hut communities.

The grants are made possible by the generosity of our customers purchase of the BOOK IT! Bundle menu item!

The CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control invites research proposals aimed at reducing suicide and interpersonal violence among youth aged 10 to 24. This funding opportunity encourages the evaluation of pre-existing primary prevention strategies that have not yet been rigorously assessed. Proposed approaches may include community programs and policies designed to enhance social connectedness, mitigate harmful online behaviors, and address technology-facilitated interpersonal violence.

Youth Service America

Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and our democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to create social and environmental change.

Our vision is that youth participation in working together for the common good becomes the common expectation and common experience of all young people in America. Even though youth participation rates are at or near record-high levels, we’re still leaving 3 of every 4 young people out, and participation rates are even lower among youth from underserved low-income communities and communities of color.

We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants

YSA’s We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are for organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5-25 to lead service projects on or around September 11, 2026. Programming efforts should also honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to that tragedy.

This year, YSA will award up to 100 grants of $1,000 each. Grantees are required to engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities.

Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness that brought people together in the days, weeks, and months after September 11th, we are especially looking for ideas that bring together all members of the community.

The Youth Regional Treatment Center Aftercare Program aims to support American Indian and Alaska Native youth in maintaining safety, sobriety, and success post-discharge from Youth Regional Treatment Centers. This initiative enhances culturally relevant, community-based aftercare by fostering care coordination, building partnerships, and addressing barriers to improve youth outcomes.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a Princeton, New Jersey-based endowment fund providing grants to individuals, young adults who volunteer or intern for progressive social action projects or programs in an area of their interest and commitment. The Amy Adina Fund also sponsors a lecture each year on a relevant and timely topic related to its educational mission.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund was started in 1987 one year after Amy Adina, 20, died suddenly while a student and activist at Rutgers University. It is a realization of her family and her communities’ desire to celebrate her life, to fulfill her dreams and her potential. Since its inception, almost 1,500 grants have been awarded for work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States—nearly $1,000,000 in total. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About Our Grants

Small grants (depending on length of service), are awarded to as many applicants as possible rather than giving larger amounts to fewer individuals. The number of awards has grown each year thanks to annual contributions as well as to gifts sent to the Fund to honor special occasions and life cycle events.

The OVC FY 2026 grant aims to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of human trafficking by integrating policies at state and Tribal levels. This funding opportunity focuses on developing strategic plans to address the challenges faced by minor victims, enhance coordination among systems like child welfare and juvenile justice, and ensure effective identification and prosecution of traffickers. By fostering multidisciplinary approaches, the program seeks to provide comprehensive support and services to these vulnerable populations.

Native Youth Wellness Grant

The Native Youth Wellness grant is held within the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s (NMF) Children and Families Program. This funding serves as an opportunity to address youth wellness and mental health in Indian Country. Approximately $500,000 in funding will be allocated to tax-exempt organizations, local non-profits, and tribal governments serving the following tribal nations: the Leech Lake Band Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation, and the White Earth Nation. The average project funding will be approximately $25,000- $75,000. The maximum/minimum award amount will be reviewed on a per-proposal basis.

The key audience of these funds are youth and young adults aged 0-24 years old, including children, youth, and families. This includes youth, families, and young adults that are both registered tribal members, and non-registered tribal members that selfidentify as Indigenous. 

The Vineyard Family Foundation

The Vineyard Family Foundation is the product of decades of work across three generations and five states. Having enjoyed the benefits of our hard work and community patronage, the Vineyard family has chosen to provide to others what so many have graciously provided to us. 

What Sets Us Apart

The Vineyard family has always been committed to its communities. Whether supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, pediatric hospitals, the Ronald McDonald House, arts organizations, or youth recreation leagues, the family has taken a great interest in the care, health, and education of children and the families that nurture them. We take great pride in personally administering our Foundation’s charitable giving, resulting in fewer expenses and more funding for those organizations aligned with the Foundation’s purpose.

Grants

• Supporting Our Communities and Their Families
• Working Towards the Health, Education, and Overall Well-Being of Parents and Their Children

You are steps away from creating an opportunity to receive full or partial funding of your charitable organization. So that you use your time wisely, we offer the following advice for your efforts:

• As a family foundation, we are prohibited from funding individuals or any entity that is not an IRS-recognized Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity or a Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) support organization. Thus, while we cannot award a scholarship to an individual, we can fund a 501(c)(3) charity that provides such scholarships.

• If you qualify as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a support organization pursuant to Section 509(a)(1-3), we will need the IRS Determination Letter confirming as much, as well as a statement signed by your organization’s President or Chief Executive Officer verifying that your organization’s purposes, structure, and operations have not changed substantially since the date of the IRS’s Determination Letter.

• If you are a “supporting organization” under IRS Code section 509(a)(1-3), please provide a list of the public charities that you support. Please also advise whether you are a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization. If you are a Type III supporting organization, please advise whether you are “functionally integrated” with your supported public charity and provide an explanation of that relationship.

Supported Charities

The Vineyard family has historically provided funding for family-related charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, pediatric hospitals, autism-related organizations, and youth recreational leagues. The Foundation looks forward to continuing this support and extending itself to educational, research, and cultural experiences that focus on the needs of children and their parents.

Our Mission

The Baughman Family Foundation aims to make an impact on our local communities by supporting organizations nominated by family members. The goal of the foundation is twofold: to make a meaningful impact on our selected charitable organizations and to encourage family members to become active in charitable giving.

Submission Guidelines

When submitting an application, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

The focus of the Baughman Family Foundation is on supporting local charities where the Foundation can make a direct, tangible impact on causes that matter to our family.

The Residential Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children program, funded by the US Department of Health & Human Services, aims to provide safe and child-centered care for unaccompanied minors. This initiative supports organizations that can offer 24/7 services and are licensed to provide necessary care, including group homes and transitional foster care, particularly in areas near the U.S. southern border, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children.

The Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnership Grants aim to enhance early childhood services for low-income families across GA, NC, and VA. With approximately $7.7 million in federal funding, this initiative will provide comprehensive support to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, fostering family stability and community prosperity. The program reflects the Administration for Children and Families' commitment to improving economic and social well-being through accessible, high-quality early education services.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program aims to enhance juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) across the U.S. by supporting states, local courts, and Tribal governments. This initiative focuses on improving outcomes for youth dealing with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health issues. The program underscores the commitment of the Office of Justice Programs to strengthen community safety and provide vital resources for effective intervention and support.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the ability of state, Tribal, and local agencies to effectively address cases of missing and exploited children. This initiative will support multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement and child protection personnel, to improve investigations and prosecutions. By providing essential resources and training, the program seeks to strengthen responses to protect vulnerable children and combat related public safety issues.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Community and Schools Youth Drug Prevention Program aims to combat youth substance use through comprehensive prevention strategies. This initiative invites applications from states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to develop programs that educate and support youth in schools and community settings. By fostering collaboration with law enforcement and community coalitions, the program seeks to build capacity and implement effective interventions to protect the well-being of American youth.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Multistate Mentoring Programs aims to provide crucial mentoring services to at-risk youth, helping them avoid delinquency and victimization. This funding opportunity emphasizes the importance of one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring approaches. The program aligns with the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to public safety and juvenile justice reform, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and fostering positive youth development.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Victims of Child Abuse Act Training and Technical Assistance program aims to enhance the skills of child abuse professionals. This initiative will promote coordinated investigations and improve intervention strategies for child abuse victims. By providing essential training on effective interviewing, investigative techniques, and interagency collaboration, the program seeks to elevate the quality of care and support available to affected children and families. Applications are due by November 5, 2026.

Women In Northfield Giving Support

WINGS inspires women in philanthropy, builds and strengthens community through pooled investments, and supports women and youth in the Northfield area through focused giving.

Grant Process

Overview

WINGS grants support programs that contribute to the health, safety, education, socialization, artistic growth, and economic stability of the Northfield area. WINGS grants, which are awarded to both new and existing projects, encourage innovative initiatives. In awarding grants, WINGS considers not only financial need, but also the immediate impact of the project and the ability of the project to build future capacity.

Guidelines

WINGS seeks projects with an emphasis on the following areas:

Basic Needs

Education

Physical and Mental Health

Women In Northfield Giving Support

WINGS inspires women in philanthropy, builds and strengthens community through pooled investments, and supports women and youth in the Northfield area through focused giving.

Grant Process

Overview

WINGS grants support programs that contribute to the health, safety, education, socialization, artistic growth, and economic stability of the Northfield area. WINGS grants, which are awarded to both new and existing projects, encourage innovative initiatives. In awarding grants, WINGS considers not only financial need, but also the immediate impact of the project and the ability of the project to build future capacity.

Guidelines

WINGS seeks projects with an emphasis on the following areas:

Basic Needs

Education

Physical and Mental Health

About SCF

What is SCF?

The Shoreview Community Foundation (SCF) was established in 2008 by community leaders who understood that the solutions to some community needs were more suited to citizen initiative than to governmental action. Since then, SCF has awarded financial support to trusted non-profit grantees, who have then provided valuable, targeted services in the Shoreview area.

Our Mission:

To maintain, enhance and enrich the quality of life in Shoreview by connecting the generosity of our residents with the community’s evolving needs.

Fulfilling the Mission facilitates Shoreview being a more just, prosperous, enjoyable, healthy, and attractive place to live. Grants provided bring to reality opportunities to accomplish many of the following community-focused goals:

• Building bridges and growing interconnectedness
• Strengthening education
• Cultivating healthy youth
• Fulfilling the dreams of youth and adults
• Supporting justice and equality
• Protecting our natural environment of lakes, parkland and open spaces
• Supporting human rights
• Encouraging health and fitness
• Creating opportunities for cultural expression
• Learning from the past and honoring our heritage