County Seeks Proposals for 2025-2026 Youth Program Funding
Grant workshops set for March 13^th

The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Division of Youth Services is requesting applications for free youth programming services from municipalities and nonprofit, community-based organizations for the program year Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026.

Reimbursable grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded in the following categories:

• Youth Development Programs
• Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding
• Runaway and Homeless Youth

Eligible applicants should be either a Dutchess County municipality or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization with a federal identification number and charity registration number. Programs will be required to have staff trained in Positive Youth Development. Agencies must also show how the program addresses one of Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains/value areas: Economic Security, Physical and Emotional Health, Education, Citizenship/Civic Engagement, Family and Community.

The Division of Youth Services has scheduled three grant workshops for nonprofit agencies and municipalities interested in more information. The workshops are being held at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• Thursday, March 13

Please contact Juliana Corbett at 845-486-3354 or Juliana.Corbett@dfa.state.ny.us to register for a workshop. Youth Services will review the step-by-step process of applying online through the Dutchess County Grant Portal and address any concerns or questions.

Specific funding eligibility requirements are as follows:

Youth Development Programs (YDP): Grants will be awarded to programs for youth under 21 that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes.

Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding (YSEF): Grants will be awarded to free programs that serve youth ages 6-17 and aim to foster educational connections and achievement; physical health and well-being; mental health and well-being; employment; and/or community cohesion.

Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY): RHY services are grounded in the Positive Youth Development framework and focus on supporting and developing healthy relationships to enhance youths’ existing strengths and resiliency, while incorporating youth voice and leadership into programming.

Additional information about funding eligibility requirements and grant eligibility criteria is available on Youth Services’ grant funding webpage. All 2025-2026 grant applications are due to the Division of Youth Services on or before Thursday, April 3, by 4 p.m.

Funding is made available through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. In 2024-2025, 28 programs were awarded more than $300,000 in funding. The amount of funding will be subject to the availability.