Youth Development Fund Open For Applications

Mayor Michelle Wu announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Youth Development Fund, a $1. 5 million initiative to support non-profit organizations offering programs for youth aged 14-24 in Boston. The fund emphasizes areas aligned with her Connect, Learn, Explore commitment, and applications are due by August 26, 2025. Two funding tracks are available: one for small organizations with budgets of $300,000 or less and another for larger entities with budgets between $300,001 and $5 million. Emerging organizations will benefit from the Emerging Organization Learning Community, which provides free training and capacity-building workshops.

Established organizations can receive grants up to $30,000. This initiative aims to enhance the variety of free programming available for youth during non-school hours. In FY25, the Youth Development Fund supported 99 grantees across Boston, offering diverse programming options, including sports and arts. The funding reflects the city’s commitment to fostering safe and engaging spaces for young people.