Academic Support or School Completion

Youth Empowerment Fund

13-18 Urban Services YMCA
We believe that young people hold the solutions! APPLY FOR A GRANT OF UP TO $10,000!
Five people standing together indoors, smiling at the camera in front of a large screen and balloons.

What is the Youth Empowerment Fund?

The Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), a program of Urban Services YMCA, is funded by the San Francisco Children and Youth Fund. For over 20 years, YEF has created opportunities for San Francisco’s youth to become leaders and citywide change-makers. In the past decade, YEF has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to support youth-led initiatives.

Our Vision

Here at the Youth Empowerment Fund, we believe:

  • Youth should be making decisions that affect their lives.
  • Youth possess the knowledge and ability to be effective leaders in their communities.
  • Youth should have access to resources in order to create their own programs and opportunities.​

Mini Grants & Funding

YEF awards over $100,000 annually in mini-grants supporting projects initiated and led by youth citywide. Young people in San Francisco can apply for funding up to $10,000, three times a year, to fund their unique ideas and vision addressing important community issues and need.

For more information, visit our Info Webpage!

Get Funding for a Project

Help Your Community

Work with nonprofit partners

funding

Winter

  • App deadline: Friday, 9/20
  • Interviews: Weeks of 10/28 and 11/4
  • Decision Announcements: Around Thanksgiving week

If selected…

  • Orientation: Saturday, 12/7
  • Onboarding Deadline: Friday, 12/13
  • Projected Spending Start Date: Monday, 12/23
  • Spending Deadline: Monday, 3/31
  • Project End Date: Saturday, 4/5
  • Grantee Celebration: TBD
Teenager giving a presentation

Spring Funding up to $10,000

  • App Deadline: TBD – Check back in SEP 2024
  • Interviews: TBD
  • Decision Announcements: TBD

If selected…

  • Orientation: TBD
  • Onboarding Deadline: TBD
  • Projected Spending Start Date: TBD
  • Spending Deadline: TBD
  • Project End Date: TBD
  • Grantee Celebration: TBD

Summer Funding up to $5000

  • App Deadline: TBD – Check back in SEP 2024
  • Interviews: TBD
  • Decision Announcements: TBD

If selected…

  • Orientation: TBD
  • Onboarding Deadline: TBD
  • Projected Spending Start Date: TBD
  • Spending Deadline: TBD
  • Financial End Date: TBD
  • Project End Date: TBD
  • Grantee Celebration: TBD

Upcoming Events

Dec 04

After School

A Lincoln – School Year 2024-25 – After School 2 Days

Kids (Ages 0-17), Teen
December 04 at
12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from August 19 to September 13
Price: Must be approved by branch to enroll into this option.

Dec 04

After School

Miraloma – School Year 2024-25 – After School 2 Days

Kids (Ages 0-12), Kids (Ages 0-17)
Stonestown Family YMCA
December 04 at
12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from August 19 to September 13
$50 non-refundable / deposit + monthly payments that occur on the 1st of month (or 1st business day after) from August 2024 through May 2025 – Non-Member $269 per month – Member $215 per month

Dec 04

After School

Sheridan – School Year 2024-25 – After School 5 Days

Kids (Ages 0-12), Kids (Ages 0-17)
Stonestown Family YMCA
December 04 at
12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from August 19 to September 13
$50 non-refundable / deposit + monthly payments that occur on the 1st of month (or 1st business day after) from August 2024 through May 2025 – Non-Member $630 per month – Member $504 per month

Become A Member

Welcome to our new website!

Here you’ll find everything you need to support your wellness journey, connect with community programs, and explore resources for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Please take a look around. If you have any concerns please email us at [email protected]