How do I submit a Youth United Grant application?
All organizations wishing to apply for a Youth United Grant can apply via our online grant management portal. The link to apply is: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=parkcitycf.
What are key elements of the grant application?
Please see the Review Criteria on the Grant Guidelines to learn what should be included. The application should include items such as the need being met, strategy to meet the need, goals/outcomes, future plans beyond the grant period, mention of any partner organizations, and amount requested. It is helpful to emphasize why the proposed activities matter, and what drives the passion of the organization to want to undertake these activities.
What makes a strong grant proposal?
It’s important to follow the application guidelines. Beyond that, it’s important to ensure that the potential impact of the grant is well spelled out. How can you quantify impact? What benefits will children and/or families gain from the proposed activity? It’s helpful if the project budget spells out what the Youth United grant would cover versus what other funds will cover.
How many organizations submit applications, and how many then receive grants?
In 2024, 31 organizations applied and 24 received grants. The final number of grants awarded in 2025 is likely to be similar to last year. We welcome all new applicants to apply.
How much should we request?
Grants will generally fall in the $1,000 – $20,000 range, depending on the amount available for distribution, the request made by the organization, and the potential impact of the proposed activities. Grants may be paid in a single sum or in installments.
What is the purpose of grants from Youth United?
Youth United awards grants to local organizations dedicated to creating equitable access to sports, recreation, and extracurricular activities, prioritizing increased Latinx and BIPOC participation to reflect the diversity of our community. Our mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to actively engage, belong, and thrive through these enriching experiences. Key barriers to participation that have been identified include communication and outreach, cultural inclusion, and scholarships and gear.
Does the fund support competitive athletes?
The goal is to facilitate access to recreational sports and other activities. The fund does not intend to support competitive or elite athletes.
What are examples of past grants?
Does Youth United help organizations in other ways, beyond grants?
Park City Community Foundation staff working on Youth United actively help organizations recruit participants to their programs. Assistance includes things like translation, direct outreach to families, in-person registration events, and other activities. Organizations do not have to receive a grant in order to benefit from this type of non-grant support. Organizations interested in non-grant support should send an inquiry to Sarah MacCarthy (sarah@parkcitycf.org).
What barriers have proved hardest to address?
Youth United has had a lot of success addressing communication/outreach and facilitating scholarships and gear. Any or all of the three barriers may be addressed in an application for a Youth United grant. Organizations may also focus on one or more other barriers, beyond these three.
Who reviews the proposals?
The Youth United Steering Committee reviews the grants and makes funding decisions based on the Park City Community Foundation Board’s approved budget.
Would a summer day camp or overnight camp program be eligible?
Either could be considered. It’s helpful to understand the cost per participant, though a program with deep impact may be strongly considered even if it has a high cost per participant.
How might a Youth United grant be leveraged to encourage other funding?
Some past recipients of Youth United grants have used the grant as a match to encourage their regular donors to give toward additional scholarships for children. Other grant makers might also be interested in knowing that Youth United has supported a particular organization or project.
Should programs be free or low-cost to participants?
Both options are acceptable—the primary goal is to expand access for youth, regardless of their economic circumstances. Most programs collaborating with Youth United do charge at least a low participation fee, which can help ensure attendance. Most programs offer fee discounts of somewhere between 70% and 90%. Even low fees are sometimes waived by our partners in very specific circumstances.
What counts as “recreation?”
In addition to sports, other types of recreation may be considered. The key is a focus on children in grades pre-K thru 12 gaining opportunities to participate in activities that help create a more inclusive community, in which all kids can play, learn and be active together.
Could a request for technology improvements be funded, such as for a new registration system?
The critical question is how proposed uses of funds would increase participation of Latinx and BIPOC youth in sports and recreation. If a new registration system is critical to that purpose, it could be considered. It’s acceptable for proposed activities to have other side benefits – for example, by making registration easier for all children – but the application should make clear how the activities support the particular goals of Youth United.
For more information on grants from Youth United, please visit parkcitycf.org/youthunited.