Grants for Youth Programs
Last updated August 24, 2026
There are currently 3,658 active grants for youth programs in Grantable's free grants database, drawn from federal, state and foundation sources and updated daily.
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About grants for youth programs
Grants for youth programs support after-school, summer learning, mentoring, recreation, and enrichment activities for young people. Federal funding flows largely through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (administered by state education agencies under the U.S. Department of Education's ESSA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), while private funders such as the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation back youth development nationwide. Local community foundations, United Way chapters, and corporate giving programs round out the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for youth programs?
Funding ranges from federal formula and competitive grants for after-school and summer learning, to foundation grants for mentoring, recreation, and enrichment, to small corporate and community-foundation awards. The largest dedicated federal source is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which supports academic enrichment during out-of-school time at high-poverty schools and community organizations. OJJDP also funds mentoring, delinquency prevention, and youth intervention programs.
Who funds youth programs?
Funders include federal agencies (the U.S. Department of Education through 21st CCLC and OJJDP within the Department of Justice), national foundations such as the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Wallace Foundation, and corporate philanthropy. Community foundations and local United Way chapters are often the most accessible sources for grassroots youth organizations.
Who is eligible to apply for youth program grants?
Eligibility varies by funder. Federal programs like 21st CCLC typically require schools, districts, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, or parks and recreation departments to apply, often in partnership. Most foundation grants require 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or a fiscal sponsor. Review each funder's guidelines for geographic focus, target age groups, and program-type restrictions before applying.
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