East Hudson Valley News

The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Youth Services Division is seeking proposals for youth team sports programming from local community-based organizations and nonprofits for the program year January 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025.

Youth team sports funding is based on principles of positive youth development and aims to support local team sports programs in under-resourced communities. The initiative aligns with Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains: Learning, Material Basics, Safety, Family/Relationships, Mental Health, and Physical Health.

Local youth-serving organizations providing team sports opportunities to individuals under age 18 are encouraged to apply for grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. A total of $121,198 is available through the New York State Children and Families Services Youth Teams Sports Reimbursable Grant. This funding opportunity defines a “team sport” as an organized physical activity where groups of two or more individuals compete against opposing teams.

Eligible applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or another community-based organization with a federal identification number operating in Dutchess County and able to meet the County’s insurance requirements. Programs must provide free services to all youth. Organizations awarded grants for the 2024-2025 Youth Development Programming (YDP) or the 2024-2025 Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding (YSEF) are not eligible for this funding cycle.

Funding may provide general operating support allowing agencies flexibility in resource allocation for quality programming, including educational instruction necessary for youth participation in team sports.

The Division of Youth Services has scheduled grant workshops at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center at 392 Creek Road in Poughkeepsie. Agencies are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions:

• Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

• Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m.

Interested parties should contact Juliana Corbett at 845-486-3354 or Juliana.Corbett@dfa.state.ny.us to register. The department will review application requirements and processes during these workshops.

The application period for the YTS grant runs from Tuesday, Sept. 10 to Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. All applications must be submitted through the online grant portal by Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, by 5 p.m. Comprehensive information regarding this program is available on the NYS Office of Children and Family Services Grant Funding page on the County’s website.