County Seeks Proposals for New Youth Team Sports Grants
Grant workshops set for Nov. 8th and 20th
Poughkeepsie, NY … Whether it’s improved physical, mental, emotional or social outcomes, youth sports have repeatedly been shown to have a positive impact on the young people who take part. Playing sports is linked to decreased stress, anxiety, and depression; improved social skills and ability to work well with others; and reduced risk of engaging in substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
Looking to expand the positive impact of athletics on young people, the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking applications for a new grant program that will provide awards to support youth team sports programs for underserved youth under the age of 18. Through New York State’s new Youth Team Sports (YTS) grant program, DCFS will fund awards of $132,594 to eligible local community-based organizations and nonprofits; funding is available in grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
Eligible applicants should be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or another community-based organization operating in Dutchess County with a federal identification number and charity registration number that is able to meet the County’s insurance requirements. The grant program, created under the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and will run during the program year Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2024. The grant may provide general operating support to give agencies the flexibility to administer quality programming; this may include the educational instruction needed to prepare youth to participate in team sports.
The ability to fund activities that support youth development aligns with the domains of the County’s “Path to Promise” initiative, the goal of which is to help provide the young people in Dutchess County the resources they need to reach their potential, including team sports. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a “team sport” is defined as an organized physical activity in which groups of two or more individuals are in competition with two or more opposing individuals.
There will be two workshops to learn more about the grant program and the specific eligibility and application requirements to help encourage successful submissions. DCFS strongly encourages interested agencies to attend one of two virtual workshops on:
- Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
- Monday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.
To register for one of the virtual workshops, agencies can contact Jessica Dickinson at 845-486-3662 or Jessica.Dickinson@dfa.state.
The application period for the YTS grant begins Nov. 8 and closes Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.
More information regarding this program, including application instructions, is available on DFCS’ webpage.
