Category Archives: Youth

Every Kid Sports

Every Kid Sports provides grant funding to pay youth sports registration fees through their Every Kid Sports Pass program. To be eligible, youth must be enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC.

Requests are submitted seasonally for Fall, Winter, and Spring sports. The Winter 2023 season is currently open and the Spring 2024 season will open on January 23, 2024. Applicants will receive a decision within 7-10 business days.

Eligibility

Applicants must be the parent or legal guardian (including foster parents) of a child who is:

  • 4-18 years old
  • Currently enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC
  • Participating in a recreational sports league

Registration fees must be unpaid at the time of application. Every Kid Sports will not reimburse for payments that have already been made.

Youth are eligible to submit one application per season each year.

Proof of Enrollment

Applicants must provide documentation showing that their child is currently enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC. Qualifying documents must have the child’s name, date of benefits, and the program name.

To obtain this documentation, Every Kid Sports suggest that applicants:

  • Log in to their online account and take a screenshot or picture that includes the required information
  • Log in to their provider’s app and take a screenshot that includes the required information
  • Contact their provider and request an active enrollment document

Eligibile Sports

Every Kid Sports has helped youth participate in 70 different sports including baseball, cheer, gymnastics, martial arts, and pickleball. A noncomprehensive list can be found on their website.

Activities that are paid for on a month-to-month or annual basis can be paid for by applying for the cost of 3 months as the equivalent of a season.

Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant

The Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant is a program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development which supports programs to create or improve response systems for youth homelessness. HUD expects to make about 35 total awards in the categories of:

  • Planning and Partnerships – up to $400,000
  • Data – up to $300,000
  • Coordinated Entry – $200,000
  • Racial and Gender Equity – $200,000

These maximums will be doubled for projects that cover two or more Continuums of Care or if the CoC covers the entire state. All requests must be $200,000 – $2 million per project period for up to 30 months. Applications are due through Grants.gov by February 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Units of state, county, and municipal government
  • Special district governments
  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
  • Public housing authorities
  • Native American tribal organizations

Objectives

The objectives of this program are to:

  • Improve the capacity of youth in the community
  • Establish partnerships
  • Improve the centralized or coordinated assessment system also known as the Coordinated Entry Systems
  • Improve data collection and use between systems that work with youth at-risk of and experiencing homelessness. 
  • Assess, address, and improve equity in youth homeless response systems

Potential Project Activities

Photo by Timur Weber: https://www.pexels.com/photo/homeless-person-sitting-on-the-sidewalk-9533102/

Funded projects may work to create or improve response systems for youth homelessness through activities such as:

  • Developing peer support models
  • Training for communities and Youth Action Boards
  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Building partnerships with groups who work with youth in unstable housing like the public school system and child welfare

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Proposed Project Activities – 40 points
  • Budget – 10 points
  • Youth Involvement – 20 points
  • Project Outcomes and Evaluation – 15 points
  • Regional Approach – 15 points

Global Fund for Children

The Global Fund for Children was founded in 1993 after Maya Ajmera was inspired by an Indian organization feeding, clothing, and educating the local children. Like that group, GFC aids children build new lives for themselves by helping them develop confidence and self worth.

GFC believes in bold moves and often ally themselves with organizations that other funders won’t. Their work is focused on Education, Gender Equity, Youth Empowerment, and Freedom From Violence & Exploitation. They partner with nonprofits in Africa, The Americas, Asia, and Europe & Eurasia each of which has specific initiatives.

Interested groups are encouraged to submit an organizational profile at any time. Forms are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Eligibility

GFC seeks to partner with organizations who:

  • Have their country’s version of nonprofit status or a fiscal sponsor
  • Know their communities
  • Are working to improve the lives of children
  • Embrace the process of learning to become better at what they do
  • Address any of their thematic focus areas

Priority will be given to organizations who:

  • Focus their work on children who have been marginalized due to factors such as race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, or gender identity
  • Were founded or are led by youth
  • Measure their progress and have seen positive impacts
  • Are willing to take risks and be creative to solve problems in new ways
  • Understand the power of connections with a broad array of partners
  • Believe that young people can and must speak up to claim their rights and change their lives
  • Understand the power of advocacy to change minds, norms, and policies

Focus Areas

Education

GFC currently partners with 125 groups in 31 countries to support activities such as:

Image by AkshayaPatra Foundation 
  • Addressing historical disadvantages for girls
  • Prioritizing inclusive programs that meet the unique needs of each student
  • Building life skills
  • Teaching entrepreneurship

Gender Equity

GFC currently partners with 58 groups in 11 countries to support activities such as:

  • Redefining masculinity
  • Supporting girls’ reproductive rights
  • Ending child marriages
  • Providing shelter for LGBTQ+ youth

Youth Empowerment

GFC currently partners with 60 groups in 17 countries to support activities such as:

Image by Robert Pastryk
  • Advancing political and civil participation
  • Augmenting youth voices
  • Leadership development
  • Social empowerment

Freedom from Violence & Exploitation

GFC currently partners with 45 groups in 22 countries to support activities such as:

  • Securing children’s legal identities
  • Caring for survivors of trafficking
  • Advocating for laws and policies to protect children
  • Educating the public

Geographic Regions

Africa

Initiatives

  • Ending Violence, Empowering Girls
  • Educating and Empowering Girls in West Africa

The Americas

Initiatives

Image by david diaz
  • Girls Experiencing Migration
  • Promoting Youth Leadership for Gender Justice
  • Supporting Early Education and Development in Honduras
  • Supporting Educational Recovery in Central America

Asia

Initiatives

  • Combating Child Trafficking in India
  • Countering Trafficking and Exploitation in Bangladesh
  • Fostering Youth Leadership in Thailand
  • Increasing Opportunities for Children with Disabilities

Europe & Eurasia

Initiatives

  • Exploring Masculinities in England
  • Investing in Youth Social Action in England
  • Reducing Violence Against Migrant Children in Southeast Europe
  • Supporting Children Affected by the Ukraine Conflict

The Mockingbird Foundation

The Mockingbird Foundation was founded in 1997 by fans of the band Phish to raise money for children’s music education. Since then, they’ve awarded over $2.3 million in grants for projects in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Initial Inquiries are due by January 15, 2024 for grants ranging from $100 – $10,000. If invited to apply, full applications will be due in April 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Public schools

Funding Distribution

Past grants have been awarded to fund:

  • Instruments – 45%
  • Other (curriculum, mixed needs) – 19%
  • Staffing – 16%
  • Equipment – 8%
  • Scholarships – 8%
  • General Support – 4%

BHP Foundation

The BHP Foundation is a global philanthropy funded by the global resources company BHP. They partner with organizations finding new solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Partnerships are long-term investments to get at the root of systemic issues. Interested organizations may submit an idea at any time.

Program Areas

  • Education Equity – increasing opportunities for disadvantaged communities to receive a quality education
  • Environmental Resilience – creating new methods of conserving and sustainably managing natural resources and environments
  • Natural Resource Governance – using natural resource wealth to build a more inclusive and sustainable future
  • Australia Program – focusing on Indigenous rights and youth development to create a more equitable and sustainable country
  • Canada Program – improving education and career opportunities for Indigenous communities and improving management of water resources
  • Chile Program – increasing educational opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, building community resilience to social and environmental change, and create pathways for participation in effective decision making
  • USA Program – supporting self-determination programs for Native Americans and improving management of water resources

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention State/Territory Program

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention State/Territory Program from the Health Resources & Services Administration‘s Maternal & Child Health Bureau supports state/territory-wide programs for disagnosing and serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is a five-year grant for a two phase project.

The HRSA expect to have $13,865,000 annually to fund up to 59 grantees. Applicants may request up to $235,000 per year for five years to complete the program. Applications are due through Grants.gov by November 6, 2023.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • State governments
  • U.S. Territory governments
  • Federally recognized Tribal governments
  • Community-based, public or private nonprofit organizations
  • Native American Tribal organizations

Program Goals

This five year process should be undertaken with the goal of implementing the following measures.

Photo by Spencer Selover: https://www.pexels.com/photo/baby-lying-near-dog-plush-toy-428388/
  • Screen newborns by 1 month old
  • Diagnose hearing impairment by 3 months old
  • Enroll in Early Intervention by 6 months old
  • Provide hearing screenings for children up to age 3
  • Support and engage with families with deaf or hard of hearing children or adults
  • Educate and train health professionals in the need for early screenings and interventions

Project Phases

Phase I: Planning

Phase I is a year-long process of assessing the state or territory’s existing infrastructure to support an Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program and achieve the above goals. At the end of Phase I, grantees will provide their statewide infrastructure plan to the EHDI National Network.

Phase II: Implementation and Building Sustainable Practices

Phase II will take place over four years as the activities in the statewide plan are implemented and made sustainable. Expected benchmarks over these four years include:

  • Increase by 1 percentage point per year, or achieve at least a 95% screening rate, whichever is lower, the number of infants that completed a newborn hearing screen by 1 month old.
  • Increase by 10 percentage points, or achieve a minimum rate of 85%, whichever is lower, the number of infants that completed a diagnostic hearing screen by 3 months old.
  • Increase by 15 percentage points, or achieve a minimum rate of 80%, whichever is lower, the number of infants identified as deaf or hard of hearing that are enrolled in early intervetion services by 6 months old.

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/baby-blur-boy-child-301977/
  • Need (10 points)
  • Response (40 points) – the degree to which the proposed project, including goals, objectives, and work plan, respond to the goals of the EHDI Program
  • Evaluative measures (20 points) – the strength and effectiveness of the proposed performance measurement and evaluation plan
  • Impact (15 points) – the extent to which the proposed project has a public health impact and the project will be effective
  • Resources/Capabilites (5 points) – the extent to which the project personnel are qualified to implement and carry out the project
  • Support requested (10 points) – the reasonableness of the proposed budget for each year of the period of performance

TJX U.S. Foundation

TJX is the parent company of U.S. retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, Home Goods, and Home Sense. Their U.S. Foundation supports projects that help children and families build a better future.

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time to express interest in funding. Full applications are by invitation only.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

  • Have been a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit for at least 1 year
  • Provide services within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office
  • Have not received funding from TJX in the past year

Program Areas

  • Basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter
  • School success programs – opportunities for at-risk, pre-K through 12th grade youth to access programs
  • Workforce readiness training – for at-risk youth ages 16-24
  • Safety from domestic violence – shelter, prevention, and services

Ineligible Expenses

The TJX U.S. Foundation does not fund:

  • General operating funds
  • Capital campaigns
  • Salaries
  • Scholarships
  • Sponsorships

National Youth Leadership Council: Youth as Solutions

The National Youth Leadership Council has been supporting youth development through service learning for over 40 years. Their Youth as Solutions program provides funding and training for projects in Education Equity, Community Health, and Environmental Justice.

Awards of $250 – $1,000 are available for teams in the United States. Applications are due by September 13, 2023 at 11:59 PM CT.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Public K-12 schools
  • Public school districts
  • Not-for-profit private schools
  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations

All teams must have an adult leader and at least two youth leaders in grades 6-12.

Allowable Expenses

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/volunteers-packing-donations-in-the-room-6591154/

Grant funds may be spent on:

  • Direct project expenses
  • T-shirts and other swag
  • Food for meetings
  • A team celebration at the end of the project

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Indirect expenses
  • Salaries

The Award

In addition to funding, grantees will receive:

Project Areas

Education Equity

Education in Action teams work with K-12 students and teachers to increase educational equity. They investigate their community’s needs and formulate actions to address them.

Community Health

Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-white-dress-shirt-holding-smartphone-804128/

Project Ignition teams develop strategies for promoting teen-driver safety. They study the issues facing their communities and work with community partners to develop solutions to Distracted Driving or Seatbelt Use.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice teams focus on issues surrounding climate change and how they impact their local communities. Example projects include creating a community garden, planning bike paths, or advocating for solar lights.

National Council on Problem Gambling Agility Grants

Agility Grants from the National Council on Problem Gambling provides support for problem gambling prevention programs. Grants are separated in two pillars – Prevention Innovation and Prevention Amplification

Awards are typically $20,000 – $40,000 for projects that will take place January 1 – December 31, 2024. Applications are due by August 22, 2023 and grantees will be announced in October.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located and working in the United States.

Membership in the National Council on Problem Gambling is not requried.

Pillars

Prevention Innovation

Prevention Innovation focuses on developing inventive new prevention programming, expanding established programs that have shown positive results, and conducting research to support those programs.

Prevention Amplification

Prevention Amplification focuses on finding and supporting new leaders and partnerships in the field of gambling prevention. Strenghtening the voices of youth and people of color is a priority.

Target Audience

Programs supported by an Agility Grant should concentrate on one or more of the following audiences.

  • Middle school students
  • High school and college athletes
  • Marginalized communities, particularly communities of color

The target audience is also separated into primary and secondary levels.

  • Primary level – individuals who have never gambled
  • Secondary level – individuals who have limited experience with gambling

More Information

Office hours will be available by appointment August 1-21. Register for your 30 minute consultation.

Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation Sea2Earth Fund

The Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation was founded in 1986 to build a culturally rich society and environmentally sustainable world through education, advocacy, and direct support. They established the Sea2Earth Fund in 2023 to assist others doing this work.

Awards of up to $25,000 are available for an 18 month period; most grants will be $2,500 – $10,000. Letters of interest are due via email by September 10, 2023. Organizations selected to submit a full proposal will be notified on October 10th and proposals will be due by November 10, 2023.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

Allowable Expenses

Expense Types

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Operating support
  • Capital expenses

Activities

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Environmental education
  • Youth development
  • Habitat restoration
  • Conservation activities
  • Community gardens
  • Activities that connect people of all ages with nature

Submission

Letters of interest should be sent to sea2earthfund@gmail.com.