Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) Fund
Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) Fund supports Worcester County nonprofits with youth-shaped projects that expand education, belonging, enrichment, food access, and mental health support for young people.
Funder: Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (Applications open) | November 18, 2026 (Application deadline) | January 20 or February 3 (Finalist conversations)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 per grant; total project budgets cannot exceed $40,000
Summary: Supports Worcester County nonprofits with youth-shaped projects advancing education, belonging, enrichment, food access, and mental health.
Key Information: All proposals must demonstrate authentic youth participation and meaningful opportunities for young people to influence project decisions.
Description
The Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) Fund is run by Greater Worcester Community Foundation with an advisory committee of high school students. It provides annual project grants to Worcester County nonprofit organizations for work addressing priorities identified by the youth cohort. The 2026–2027 cohort’s priorities focus on expanding access to resources, supportive spaces, and connection for young people, particularly those facing barriers.
Supported work includes educational and career opportunities, cultural inclusion, out-of-school recreation and enrichment, nutritious food access, and mental health support. Youth voice is central to the program: projects should give young people authentic roles in shaping, organizing, leading, or evaluating the work, with meaningful opportunities to influence decisions.
