With Youth For Youth (WYFY) Grant Opportunities for Western New York: Youth-Led Funding to Transform Out-of-School-Time Programs Across WNY
With Youth For Youth (WYFY) is launching a major grant opportunity for Western New York organizations committed to elevating youth voice and transforming out-of-school-time (OST) programs. Coordinated by Youthprise and funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, WYFY is a national initiative empowering young people to redesign afterschool and youth development systems from the ground up.
This initiative partners sites across Missouri, Minnesota, Southeast Michigan, Vermont, and Western New York, building on earlier youth-centered projects—Generator Z and Powered by Youth Voice—to reimagine afterschool learning through collaborative design, creativity, and paid youth participation.
About the Grant
Beginning in 2026, the WNY WYFY Youth Advisory Board—a group of 24 youth ages 13–17—will distribute over $2 million in grants to programs that uplift youth voice, ensure equitable access, and contribute to systems-level improvements in the OST ecosystem.
Funding is available for organizations that:
- Meaningfully integrate youth leadership and decision-making
- Provide strong, relevant, and beneficial experiences for young people
- Serve communities across the nine WNY counties
- Demonstrate clear goals, responsible use of funds, and impact
- Present strong solutions to challenges facing youth
- Contribute to broader systems change in OST
Grant Amounts:
- Minimum: $25,000
- Maximum: $150,000
Funding may support existing programs or new initiatives, as long as they center youth voice and leadership.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government agencies, OR schools
- Located in or serving Western New York’s nine counties:
Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming - Providing programs for youth ages 5–18 outside school hours
Ineligible requests include tackle football, school-sanctioned sports teams, equipment-only funding, multi-year requests, endowments, and religious programming.
Why Youth Voice Matters — In Youths’ Own Words
WYFY aims to build a regional system where young people are co-creators, decision-makers, and system leaders—not just program participants.
Out-of-School-Time (OST) — A Broad, Inclusive Definition
OST includes a range of youth supports, such as:
- Afterschool & drop-in programs
- Non-school community sports
- Arts, culture, and enrichment
- Leadership development & civic engagement
- Youth workforce & career readiness
- Library programs
- Prevention & restorative initiatives
WYFY’s holistic approach views OST as an ecosystem, not a set of separate services.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Manager.
No emailed, paper, or PDF submissions are accepted.
Key Dates:
- Application opens: January 20, 2026
- Virtual Info Session: January 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
(Zoom link provided in original announcement) - Deadline: February 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
- Decisions announced: April 2026
- Funds distributed: June 2026 (for one-year programming)
Applications will be evaluated on:
- Youth Voice & Leadership
- Youth Experience & Benefits
- Mission, Values & Impact
- Goals, Outcomes & Use of Funds
- Challenges & Solutions
- Systems-Level Thinking
- Geographic Representation (consideration)
Youth reviewers (grades 8–12) will read and score applications.
Additional Expectations
Awarded organizations must provide a year-end report including:
- Program outcomes
- Budget expenditures
- Lessons learned
- Feedback on the youth-led grantmaking process
WYFY strongly encourages organizations to demonstrate how they will expand youth leadership, distribute decision-making power, and co-create programming with youth.
Together We Build a Youth-Led Future
WYFY strives to reshape how Western New York invests in its young people—ensuring fairness, equity, and youth-centered systems change. By putting decision-making into the hands of youth, this initiative supports programs that reflect the real needs, experiences, and aspirations of young people.
For more information: Click Here
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