Deadline: 15-Jul-22
The Youth Service America (YSA) is inviting applications for its Lead Agency Grants Program to support local governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and K-16 schools and institutions that lead partner coalitions or organize projects to engage youth volunteers on National Days of Service:
- 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance (September 11, 2022)
- MLK Day of Service (January 16, 2023)
- Global Youth Service Day (April 28-30, 2023).
Supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and AmeriCorps, the Lead Agency program offers grant funding, capacity-building training, and ongoing support to effectively engage young people in meaningful service and service-learning activities.
Volunteering for the first time in childhood is an expressway to a lifetime of civic participation. National days of service – such as 9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, and Global Youth Service Day – are the perfect on-ramps. By engaging youth as volunteers on national days of service, Lead Agencies fulfill a vital role to increase youth participation in their community.
To support Lead Agencies in building their own capacity or the capacity of their coalition members, they will provide training and networking opportunities throughout the year.
- Grantees are required to participate in a virtual Youth Service Institute (YSI) the first week in August.
In turn, Lead Agencies will support local coalition partners or project organizers who will engage youth, ages 5-25, to lead service or service-learning projects on national days of service, through which they:
- Build youth-adult partnerships that create connections with caring adults who encourage them to use their Sparks (passions, interests, and skills) to help others,
- Provide opportunities to learn and practice 21st Century Skills (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking),
- Strengthen their community by working towards achieving the Global Goals (17 UN Sustainable Development Goals), and
- Lead ASAP (through Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy projects).
Funding Information
- Grants of $3,000 or $6,000 will be awarded based on the number of youth volunteers engaged.
- Two types of Lead Agency grants will be awarded:
- Partner Coalitions are convened by the applicant. The applicant will co-lead the coalition, sharing knowledge and tools learned with coalition partners and reducing barriers to youth leadership and participation.
- $3,000: 15 external Coalition Partners collectively activating 1,000 youth during the program year.
- $6,000: 30 external Coalition Partners collectively activating 2,000 youth during the program year.
- Project Organizers use the knowledge and tools shared by YSA to support youth in their network to organize youth-led service projects. For example, you are a state association or network (BGCA, YMCA, FCCLA, FFA, Camp Fire, etc.) and seek funding to support 15 chapters or affiliates across your state with youth-led service projects.
- $3,000: 15 internal Project Organizers collectively activating 1,000 youth during the program year.
- $6,000: 30 internal Project Organizers collectively activating 2,000 youth during the program year.
- Partner Coalitions are convened by the applicant. The applicant will co-lead the coalition, sharing knowledge and tools learned with coalition partners and reducing barriers to youth leadership and participation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants may work locally, regionally, statewide, or in multiple states and must be based in the United States.
For more information, visit https://ysa.org/grants/lead/