[William T. Grant Foundation](https://wtgrantfoundation.org)

April 1, 2026 | April 3, 2024

$25,000 per award; one-year project period; approximately six grants awarded annually.

Supports NYC nonprofit organizations in improving the quality of direct services for youth ages 5–25 by addressing specific challenges at the point of service.

--- ## Description The Youth Service Improvement Grants (YSIG) program is designed to help youth-serving nonprofit organizations in New York City enhance the quality of their direct services for young people ages 5 to 25. The program focuses on strengthening existing services by assisting organizations in addressing specific challenges or remedying problems where staff and youth interact—the point of service. In addition to funding, grantees receive technical assistance, individualized support, and opportunities for peer-based learning through cohort-wide meetings. YSIG encourages applicants to critically assess their services, identify gaps or challenges, and propose targeted strategies to improve programming impact. Typical improvement areas include curriculum enhancements, frontline staff training, and addressing service limitations that affect youth experiences. --- ## Due Dates - April 1, 2026: Full application deadline (3:00 PM ET) - April 3, 2024: Previous application deadline (3:00 PM EST) --- ## Funding Amount - Each award is $25,000. - Projects must be completed within one year, starting September 1 of the award year. - Approximately six grants are awarded annually. - Grantees also receive technical assistance and access to a peer learning community. --- ## Eligibility Organizations must meet **all** of the following criteria: - Be a community-based nonprofit physically located in one of the five boroughs of New York City. - Serve youth ages 5 to 25; at least 80% of youth in the targeted program must be in this age range. - Staff must have direct, programmatic contact with youth at the point of service. - Possess their own 501(c)(3) tax exemption, or have a fiscal sponsor (with documentation). - Have an operating budget (not including fiscal sponsor) between $250,000 and $5 million (if serving only youth), or under $20 million total with a youth services budget between $250,000 and $5 million (if multiservice). - Provide audited or certified financial statements and IRS Form 990. - Organizations previously funded by this program must wait at least 18 months after the end of their prior award to reapply. **Priority consideration** is given to organizations that: - Serve youth in one of 11 NYC community districts identified as having the highest risk to child well-being. - Offer programming specifically tailored to Mexican-descent youth or LGBTQ+ youth. **Not Supported:** - General operations, planning, needs assessments, evaluations, board/financial system improvements, capital projects, scholarships, lobbying, real estate, awards to individuals, program expansions, or new programming. - Public and private schools. - Organizations outside NYC’s five boroughs. --- ## Application Process - Applications are accepted only through the Foundation’s [online portal](https://wtg.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp). - Download the [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://wtgrantfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Application-Guide-YSIG.pdf) for detailed instructions. - Required materials include: - Background information on the organization (1 page) - Narrative (up to 6 pages) covering the current program, rationale for improvement, and detailed improvement plan - Improvement project budget and justification - Total organization budget (and youth services budget, if applicable) - List of institutional funders - List of board of directors - Most recent audited or certified financial statement - IRS Form 990 - 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter --- ## Additional Information - Grantees receive technical assistance and participate in at least one cohort-wide learning community meeting for peer learning and collaboration. - Applications are reviewed by a committee with diverse expertise; proposals should be written for an educated lay audience. - Priority is given to proposals that address clear, feasible, and sustainable improvements at the point of service. --- ## External Links - [YSIG Program Page](https://wtgrantfoundation.org/funding/youth-service-improvement-grants) - [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://wtgrantfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Application-Guide-YSIG.pdf) - [Online Application Portal](https://wtg.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp) - [NYC Community District Profiles](https://communityprofiles.planning.nyc.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |--------------|--------------------------------------------| | Email | [info@wtgrantfdn.org](mailto:info@wtgrantfdn.org) | | Phone | +1 212-752-0071 | | Address | 60 East 42nd Street, 43rd Floor, New York, NY 10165, USA | | Contact Form | [Contact Page](https://wtgrantfoundation.org/contact) |

Youth Service Improvement Grants

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