Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) 2020.

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) provides grants and capacity building supports to grassroots groups, community-based organizations and collaboratives focused on improving the wellbeing of children, youth, and families facing systemic barriers. YOF has three granting streams, each with a different purpose and aimed at different groups. To learn more about the YOF and the different grant streams available, please visit the website or click here.

If you are interested in applying to the YOF for funding, the following webinars and ongoing coaching supports are available!

Youth Innovations Stream 

The Youth Innovations Stream invests in the work of grassroots groups that are youth-led or youth-adult partnerships by funding projects that test an idea or grow a successful project. Through this stream, YOF provides young people facing systemic barriers with the resources they need to design and deliver inspiring solutions to issues that matter to them.

 

Available Funding:

There are two types of grants within the Youth Innovations Stream. Each grant has a specific purpose and invests in different kinds of work. Read more so you can choose the right grant for your project.

Youth Innovations Test Grant – Allows grassroots groups to research, strategize or test new ideas that will advance a YOF Priority Outcome.

Newly formed and more established grassroots groups.

With newer groups, we will be interested in learning about individual members and the experiences they are bringing to the group and the proposed project.

  • up to $85,000 per year
  • 1 to 3 Years

Youth Innovations Scale Grant – Enables grassroots groups to grow an existing project that has demonstrated success in achieving a YOF Priority Outcome.

Groups that have already delivered core project activities over a two-year period. This means the group is experienced at working together and has tested all core activities ensuring a solid foundation to scale the project.

You should also be able to demonstrate the success of the model you are looking to scale.

  • up to $125,000 per year
  • 3 to 4 Years

 

 Family Innovations Stream 

The Family Innovations Stream invests in the work of grassroots groups delivering culturally anchored projects that empower and support parents, guardians and caregivers. Family Innovations projects will engage parents, guardians, and caregivers who face systemic barriers and challenges to family well-being. Through this stream, the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) provides families with the resources needed to thrive.

Available Funding:

The Family Innovations Stream has two types of grants to choose from. Learn more to see which grant might be the right one for your project.

Family Innovations Test Grant – Allows grassroots groups to research, strategize or test new ideas that will advance a YOF Priority Outcome.

 For newer grassroots groups with at least one-year of experience delivering activities together and/or more established groups.
up to $85,000 per year

  • 1 to 3 Years

Family Innovations Scale Grant – Supports grassroots groups to grow an existing project that has demonstrated success in achieving one YOF Priority Outcome.

For more established grassroots groups that have already delivered core project activities over a two-year period. You should also be able to demonstrate the success of the model you are looking to scale.

  • up to $125,000 per year
  • 3 to 4 Years

The Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Grant Streams the YOF has a two-step application process. The Expression of Interest is due October 14, 2020 5p.m. ET.

 

System Innovations Stream 

The System Innovations Stream supports collaboratives that are strengthening the quality and responsiveness of systems, so they work better for youth facing systemic barriers. In this stream, collaboratives will deepen their understanding of how specific systems work and will implement strategies that lead to system-wide changes that go beyond any single organization or isolated program.

The System Innovations Stream invests in the work of collaboratives who are designing and/or implementing systems change strategies to address the most pressing issues facing young people today.

 Available Funding:

  • Up to $250,000 per year
  • 2 to 6 years

 

For the System Innovations Grant Stream lead applicants must register their organization with OTF by September 16, 2020 5p.m. ET and submit a Grant Application by October 14, 2020 5p.m. ET.