Youth Opportunity Fund

Youth Opportunity Fund

Funder: Citi Foundation and America's Promise Alliance

Award Amount: $250,000 (one-year grant)

Geographic Scope: Chicago, Cook County, and 9 other major U.S. cities (Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Newark, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington D.C.)

Program Focus:

Support innovative, city-level programs connecting youth to employment opportunities

Help young people obtain long-term employment

Reengage youth in school

Prepare for post-secondary education

Connect to industry-focused education and training programs

Part of the Citi Foundation's Pathways to Progress initiative

Target Population:

Low-income youth ages 16-24

Young people facing barriers to employment and education

Key Industries:

IT and tech

Healthcare

Service industry

Environmental sustainability

Program Type:

Demand-driven program with industry-specific curriculum

Combines employer skill-set needs with training

Funding Context:

Part of broader Pathways to Progress three-year, $50 million commitment

Goal to serve 100,000 low-income youth across participating cities

12 grants awarded to nonprofit organizations in 10 largest U.S. cities

Contact: Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Address: 1 N. Dearborn St., Ste 750, Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: (708) 580-8686

Website: chicookworks.org

About the Funder:

Citi Foundation promotes economic progress in low-income communities

America's Promise Alliance leads efforts to support youth success and graduation rates