Charlotte Martin Foundation: Youth Programs Grant

The Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes funding for rural BIPOC organizations focused on youth programs, emphasizing education, athletics, and cultural expression for ages 6-18. Grants support initiatives that enhance access to diverse experiences, educational opportunities, and sports programs. The foundation is committed to addressing inequities in funding distribution, ensuring resources reach non-dominant communities. Organizations must be based in the Western states and demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and diversity in their leadership and programming.

Our Current Priorities
For those requesting support for youth programs, the Foundation will continue to focus on rural BIPOC organizations and allowing organizations to use awarded funds for general operating support.
Recognizing the critical role of BIPOC organizations, the Charlotte Martin Foundation continues to make it a priority to partner with organizations doing progressive work specifically in the areas of youth education and climate change, with a special emphasis on serving communities of color. Three years ago, we created a fellowship designed around researching BIPOC led organizations within our 5-state region that align with our priorities. We recognize that private funding is inequitably given to white-led organizations and we want to show our commitment to redistributing resources to non-dominant, BIPOC organizations.
Increasing Opportunities for BIPOC:

• Increasing racial equity and diversity for youth ages 6-18.

BIPOC led nonprofit organizations with diverse leadership and staff are the focus of our grant-making. Organizations based in rural communities are also a priority for our foundation.
Programs that create opportunities in areas of education, cultural expression and athletics. Including but not limited to:

• Increase access to and the creation of diverse cultural experiences.
• Improve school-based and out-of-school learning opportunities in areas such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and other areas.
• Increase early college awareness and access to post-secondary education.Increase access to sports and diversify sports programs.
• Guidelines for Youth Programs

Our program funding for youth ages 6-18 falls into three areas: Athletics, Culture and Education. Grants for youth programs must fall within one of these three program areas.
Youth Athletics
Athletics include a wide range of individual and team sports, with an emphasis on the value of sports for lifelong participation. School-sponsored intramural and after school sports programs have been greatly reduced, and middle-school aged youth have been most affected. After school athletics can be the incentive that gets kids involved in programs that also have educational and cultural components. Demand is increasing for athletics programs and facilities in rural areas and inner cities. More girls are getting involved in sports, requiring additional programs and space. Coaches are key to a positive experience for young people, and good coaching requires training.
Youth Culture
Culture includes art, music, dance, literature, theater, ethnic and regional heritage. Positive experiences in culture are essential in educating the whole person and should be an integral part of the lives of youth. Young people can use cultural experiences as creative resources to build self-esteem, promote personal growth, and preserve traditions. Arts and culture programs in the schools are being reduced or eliminated, and many communities, both urban and rural, have limited access to cultural resources.
Youth Education
All young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Education, in and out of school, happens best when youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking. Educators need support to play a vital role in assisting youth to investigate their passions and explore new interests. Rural schools often have less access to resources and curricula than urban schools. Both public and private schools need support.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, organizations must be headquartered in this region, and the proposed programs must take place within this region.

Ineligibility

Please note that there are certain types of programs/projects that we do not fund:Production of professional films, videos, booksTravel costs and lodging for conference or event attendanceFitness, wellness, nutrition, health are not included in our definition of athletics.Education on behavioral issues, bullying, domestic and sexual violence, drug and alcohol abuse do not meet our definition for education funding.Animals used in therapies do not qualify for our category of wildlifeCapital projectsHardware, technologyRental of facilitiesMarketingPass through fundingPre-kindergarten programYouth AthleticsWhat We Do NOT SupportLarge capital investment projects (e.g. track renovation, swimming pools, tennis courts, lockers, gymnasium renovation, bleachers)Transportation to tournamentsFitness equipment and activities (e.g. treadmills, weight rooms)Playgrounds or playground equipmentYouth CultureWhat We Do NOT SupportTrips to conferencesInternational exchange programsPassive participation by youthArtists in residence programsAdmission subsidies or purchase of tickets for eventsYouth EducationWhat We Do NOT SupportChildren’s testing or test preparationPurchase of computers or textbooksPassive participation by youthPrograms whose goals are primarily social servicesPre-Kindergarten programsCurriculum developmentPrograms for college students