Urban Youth Action Grant

The Urban Youth Action Grant, initiated by the Poise Foundation, offers funding to 501(c)(3) organizations that provide educational and enrichment services specifically for Black middle and high school students. With grants up to $10,000 available, eligible applicants can support general operations or specific programs. The grant aims to continue the legacy of Urban Youth Action, which historically empowered youth through skill-building and mentorship, fostering their growth into successful adults.

NOTE: Letters of Interest (LOIs) will be accepted starting June 23. All LOI submissions will be processed and checked for eligibility on July 14. Eligible applicants will participate in a virtual interview. Upon completion of interviews, selected applicants will receive full application invitations.
Overview
In 1966, Mr. Bernard H. Jones founded Urban Youth Action (UYA), a youth support program that provided developmental and social growth opportunities to Black inner-city youth in Pittsburgh. Urban Youth Action offered daily life studies and other programs to help young people transition from adolescence to adulthood. Participants learned the importance of doing well in school and working hard to achieve their dreams. They also explored ideas about family and community. These young people were admonished to take pride in everything they did. In addition, Urban Youth Action taught them fundamental skills to succeed, such as how to dress and prepare for an interview, balance a checkbook, and plan and run a business. They were exposed to business and civic leaders who imparted knowledge to them that would have otherwise been unavailable.
After years of incredible, transformative work with Black inner-city youth, the Urban Youth Action Program stopped offering formal programming around 2012. However, the work and legacy of Urban Youth Action will continue through annual grant support and youth flex funds provided to organizations that exemplify the vision of Urban Youth Action.
The Urban Youth Action grant program supports eligible applicants who provide consistent programming or services in youth education and enrichment. These funds can be used for general operations, program or project support. The organization must primarily work with Black middle or high school students.
Funding
Depending on fund availability, grant amounts will be up to $10,000 per applicant; Annual grants are not guaranteed.

Eligibility

Urban Youth Action GrantMust be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored initiative;Must have a mission or focus on educational or enrichment services for Black middle or high school students;Must work primarily with Black middle or high school students if requesting general operating support; Must be a project or program that serves Black middle or high school students, if requesting program or project support;Must have at least two years of operating history.