Youth Development Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Minnesota

Target Age Group: 5-12 year olds

Focus Areas: High-quality, culturally appropriate youth development programs that support children's social, emotional, physical, and academic development with strong family engagement strategies.

Vision of Success: All Minnesota children are socially and emotionally, as well as physically and academically prepared to succeed by 7th grade.

Eligible Program Types

• Out-of-school time programs
• Mentoring programs in school-based settings, community settings, or affordable housing locations

High-Quality Youth Development Program Elements

• Sequential activities that teach skills
• Active and experiential learning
• Focused and explicit skill development
• Developmentally and culturally appropriate program design
• Intensity and duration of contact
• Social and Emotional Learning competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making
• Family involvement and participation opportunities in programming
• Quality assessment tools where data informs program improvement
• Professional development access for staff in areas such as: youth programming, evaluation and assessment, inter-cultural skills, and program design

Background: The Foundation invests in innovative direct service programs to support vulnerable children in Minnesota.

Application Process

1. Determine Eligibility
   • Review frequently asked questions to verify organizational eligibility
   • Check funding guidelines to ensure program fits
2. Contact the Foundation
   • Organizations must contact Foundation staff before submission
   • Phone: 612-871-9210
   • Email: info[@]sheltering-arms.org
   • Staff provides technical assistance and responds to questions about program ideas, review process, timeline, or budget items
3. Review Application Questions
   • Review application questions before logging into the online grant system
4. Submit Application via Online System
   • Create account in grantee portal
   • Click "Apply" and select "Youth Development" program
   • Complete eligibility quiz
   • Complete all required fields (marked with asterisk)
   • Upload required documents: financials (audit), program budget, organization logo (one document per question)
   • Click "Save Application" before logging off to save progress
   • Click "Submit Application" button when complete
   • Automatic email confirmation sent upon submission
5. Foundation Review Process (February - March)
   • Grants Committee of Board of Trustees and staff review applications
   • Staff or trustees may contact for clarification in April
   • Site visits may be requested (do not constitute grant commitment)
   • External field experts may be consulted confidentially
6. Grant Awards
   • Recommended applications presented to Board of Trustees at May annual meeting
   • Grant payments begin the following July
   • Grant recipients sign agreement requiring final project report
   • All unexpended money must be refunded unless prior extension approval given

Online System Access: https://sheltering-arms.org/online-application-system-instructions/
Tutorial Video: https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991-GLM-Applicant-Tutorial