Playing sports helps children develop important life skills like teamwork, discipline and perseverance while also supporting their physical health, boosting self-confidence and encouraging friendship and good sportsmanship. The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Division of Youth Services is requesting applications for youth team sports (YTS) programming from local community-based organizations and nonprofits for the program year Jan. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2026.

Youth team sports funding is grounded in the principles of positive youth development. It  is intended to provide support to local team sports programs in communities where such programs may be scarce or under-resourced. Youth development through team sports aligns with Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains: Learning, Material Basics, Safety, Family/Relationships, Mental Health and Physical Health.

Local youth-serving organizations that provide free team sports opportunities to youth under age 18 are encouraged to apply for grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. A total of $129,716 is available through the New York State Children and Families Services Youth Teams Sports Reimbursable Grant*. This funding opportunity defines a “team sport” as an organized physical activity in which groups of two or more individuals compete with two or more opposing individuals.

Eligible applicants should be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or other community-based organization with a federal identification number, operating in Dutchess County with the ability to meet the county’s insurance requirements. All funding requests must be for a program that provides free, direct services to all youth.

2025-2026 Youth Development Programming (YDP) or Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding (YSEF) awardees are not eligible to apply for the same program for 2026 YTS funding.

Funding may provide general operating support to give agencies the flexibility to efficiently allocate resources for quality programming. This may include educational instruction necessary to prepare youth to participate in team sports.

Agencies are strongly encouraged to attend a grant workshop specific to this YTS funding opportunity. The Division of Youth Services has scheduled grant workshops at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie, NY. Workshops are expected to last about two hours.

• Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 12:30 p.m.

We will review the requirements to apply, the step-by-step process of applying online, and address any concerns or questions. Please contact Doreen Clifford at 845-486-3663 or Doreen.Clifford@dfa.state.ny.us to register for a workshop.
The application period for the Youth Team Sports grant opens Tuesday, Aug. 26 and closes on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

All grants are due to the Division of Youth Services through the County’s online grant portal on or before Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, by 1 p.m. Please visit the Division’s NYS Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) Grant Funding webpage for more comprehensive information regarding this program and how to apply.