2014 CY&F Grant Tracks

Our 2014 Children, Youth & Families Capacity Building Grant Program will award grants in June and December 2014 based on three grant tracks. Click below to download the RFP, Concept Paper Outline and Application.

CY&F RFP 2014
CY&F Concept Paper Outline 2014
CY&F Application 2014

Please join us at one of our information sessions on February 20 and July 24. Sessions will include information on developing the Concept Paper, completing the Application as well as proposal writing tips and additional information on the Foundation’s initiatives. Please RSVP to contact@sudburyfoundation.org or 978.443.0849 by the Monday prior to the session.

The 2014 Grant Tracks

Spring Track: After School Matters
Supporting School-Age Children & Youth (K-12) who are underserved, at-risk or in-crisis, primarily during Out-of-School time

Studies show that youth involved in after-school programming do better than their non-participating peers, leading to higher school attendance and graduation rates, better academic performance, fewer risky behaviors (including criminal involvement) and overall improvements in personal relationships, social skills and self-esteem.

Experts also believe the most impactful programs feature an extended time commitment and an opportunity for children and adult staff to develop strong bonds. Ideally, we are looking for programs that offer a medium-to-high level of activity and a continuum of supports. The most successful applicants will promote strong relationships between children and caring adults.

For this track, the Foundation will support capacity building projects for programs designed to provide a safe haven and enriching environment for underserved children in Grades K through 12, after school or during the summer. Programs should address the social skills and positive self esteem children need to succeed now and in the future and may focus on risky behavior prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, academic enrichment and supports, leadership development, and career exploration, or a combination of several.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 in capacity building support and should highlight current program results and statistics, describing how the proposed project will take a good program/agency and make it stronger and more stable.

Fall Track 1 / Start Strong
Supporting programs to help underserved children age 0-5 thrive

We know the first five years of life are crucial in the development of a child’s cognitive skills, social competence, physical health and emotional well-being and that children who spend their early years living in poverty without strong supports suffer long-lasting impact. Studies indicate that the most successful intervention strategies begin early and involve the whole family.

For this track, we are looking for capacity building projects to strengthen programs that insure underserved infants and toddlers get off to a good start, and thrive. This may include physical and emotional supports, early learning, literacy and school readiness programs, as well as parenting education for new and/or isolated parents.

Fall Track 2 / Youth in Transition
Supporting at-risk youth (age 16-21) transitioning to secondary education and/or the workforce

In Massachusetts, the cohort of young people age 16-21 who are both out-of-school and out-of-work is on the rise. Largely ignored, this population of disengaged, idle young people is on a path to perpetual unemployment, underemployment, criminal behavior and poverty. Many have no parental supports and many are young parents themselves. As the job market tightens, these unprepared young adults face a bleak future.

For this track, we will fund capacity building projects for programs that seek out and support this vulnerable population with programming that provides a pathway to productive employment and skill development and/or secondary education while providing the emotional guidance and support they need to stay on track. Programs could provide career exploration, job skills development and placement, or access to high quality education, family supports, mentoring and mental health services.

For both tracks
Ideally, we are looking for programs that offer a medium-to-high level of activity and a continuum of supports. The most successful applicants will promote strong relationships between youth and caring adults.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 in capacity building support and should highlight current program results and statistics, describing how the proposed project will take a good program/agency and make it stronger and more stable.