CY&F Program Guidelines

Funding Objectives

To keep the well-being of children and youth at the forefront of our response and recovery, we are offering youth development nonprofits in our catchment area a grant opportunity to develop new or expanded programs and resources that enhance emotional health supports for children of all ages.

Programming may be targeted to children, parents/guardians, caregivers, teachers, and others working directly with youth, and could include one-on-one supports, support groups, education, outreach and messaging, or other creative strategies that address a range of issues including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, loneliness, and grief.

Organizational/Programmatic Eligibility

1.)  Agencies must serve children and youth (birth to age 22). The focus is on underserved youth who face economic and/or personal barriers to success.

• Primary focus: We support organizations whose primary mission is youth development. Agencies that serve a broader age constituency may be eligible for a capacity building grant targeted toward youth-serving programs within the organization and will be asked to provide data on the percent of total programming directed to children and youth. The Foundation does not generally fund projects in public or private schools in CY&F communities.
• Content Areas: Successful grant applicants will be nonprofit organizations (or, in some cases, a program within an organization) who address such issues as early health and learning, literacy, academic enrichment and support, skill building, drop-out prevention, college/job readiness, or career exploration; or who focus on personal/behavioral enrichment including leadership development, self esteem building, mentoring, promotion of healthy behaviors, emotional health supports, etc. Agencies offering parenting education and parenting support programs are also eligible to apply.
• Program Intensity: We support organizations that offer a medium-to-high level of engagement with children and youth as determined by the number of hours and depth of contact the programming involves. We also support programs featuring a continuum of supports that encourage strong, longer-term relationships between youth and caring adults. Preference is for underserved populations.

2.)   Agencies must meet geographic criteria
Nonprofit organizations must be located in Sudbury and the contiguous communities including Acton, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Natick, Stow and Wayland. Organizations based outside of these communities whose programming substantially benefits residents from one or more of the towns listed may also apply. They will be asked to provide data on the percent of total youth programming vs. youth programming in our catchment area.

In addition, nonprofits may receive one grant per calendar year. Applicants who received prior funding from the Sudbury Foundation must submit their final grant report (or interim report) before applying for additional support. For applicants winding down a current grant, please contact Foundation staff to determine the timing of the report submission.

Selection Criteria

Projects should be aligned with the objectives and priorities outlined in the applicant organization’s Strategic Plan. Proposals should include clear goals, outcomes and measures of success.

The following questions will be considered during proposal review:

The Organization:

The Project: Does the project expand upon or develop a new program/resources that enhance the emotional health supports for children?

• Is the organization meeting a demonstrated need of at-risk children, youth & families in the communities served by the Foundation?
• Is the organization financially stable?
• Is there evidence of experienced leadership at both the staff and board levels?
• Is there a compelling explanation of the need and how the proposed project will meet that need?
• Is there a cogent description of how funds will be used?
• Is there a reasonable timeline?
• Is there a clear definition of project success including measurement and evaluation of results?
• Is there consideration for how the work will be sustained after grant funding has ended, if appropriate?

Application Process

Information Session: The Foundation will host and information session via Zoom on Wednesday June 15 at 9:30 am to provide applicants with details on developing the Concept Paper, completing the Application as well as proposal writing tips and additional background on the Foundation’s initiatives. Click here to RSVP.

Concept Papers: Concept Papers are required and must be submitted via email to contact@sudburyfoundation.org by 5:00 p.m. on August 10, 2022. Staff will provide comments on Concept Papers as quickly as possible. Optional Budget Form.

The Application: The Application’s cover page, proposal narrative and project/organizational budget must be submitted via email (as MS Word, Excel documents) to contact@sudburyfoundation.org by 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2022.

Additional required materials (board member list, IRS Determination Letter and Audited Financial Statements) and additional optional materials (consultant quotes, promotional brochure, etc.) must be emailed with the narrative as pdf files. Incomplete or late proposals will not be accepted.

Updated May 6, 2022.