Summer Youth Project

The Summer Youth Project (SYP) is a collaborative grantmaking program sponsored by the Northern California Grantmakers. It began in 1976 in recognition of the fact that summer programs, particularly those serving economically disadvantaged youth, needed financial assistance to provide a variety of challenging and fun activities.

The purpose of the Summer Youth Project (SYP) is to enrich and enhance summer programs for Bay Area children and youth. Foundations, corporations, and other private grantmakers contribute to a pool of funds, which is then distributed to summer programs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Clara, and Santa Cruz. Nonprofit and public agencies may use the funds for a variety of purposes, including educational materials, arts and crafts supplies, sports and recreation equipment, and field trips.

Grant awards vary up to a maximum of $1,000 per project site and are based primarily on the number of participants in each program.

Over the past 30 years, more than $7 million has been distributed in SYP grants. The program is successful due in large part to its collaborative nature, which simplifies grantmaking for funders and grantseeking for agencies. Having made a contribution to the SYP, a foundation or corporation can feel satisfied that it will aid the work of hundreds of agencies serving children and youth in the Bay Area and that funds will be equitably distributed.

Program evaluations from the agencies express appreciation for the consistency and timeliness of the funds, as well as the simplicity of the application and evaluation process. SYP grants, while modest, provide funds that are often unavailable from other sources and enable agencies to offer varied and stimulating activities.

SYP funds support programs with targeted objectives for youth leadership development, including community service projects and opportunities for youth to make tangible contributions to their communities while acquiring skills and knowledge that will help them continue to be successful leaders in their future. Many programs emphasize life skills, health and wellness, and self-esteem building components which scaffold success for participating youth.

In 2008, the Summer Youth Project is proud to have awarded 228 grants totaling $124,800 with 27 private funders contributing over $200,000 to the grant pool.

For more information on the Summer Youth Program, please read our 2007 Annual Report.

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Funds requested may be used to cover costs for educational materieals, arts and craft supplies, recreational and sports equipment or field trip costs. Funding may not support

• Staffing costs
• Consultant fees
• Stipends
• Tuition
• Scholarships
• Rent
• Maintenance
• Operating costs

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Nonprofit organizations (and organizations with a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor), K-12 public schools, and local governments are eligible to apply for SYP grants. Multiple applications are permitted, but SYP only funds one program per site.

Additional eligibility criteria include:

• Programs serving at least 20 school-age children and youth per day. Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 18.
• Programs located in one of eight Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.

While all programs providing services to youth are encouraged to apply, priority will be given to programs serving underserved youth (racial/ethnic minorities, low-income, disabled and non-native English speakers and youth of color). Applicants are encouraged to provide detailed information on program activities (types and kinds offered), environment (ratio of staff to youth, safe space), engagement (e.g. opportunities for youth leadership and mentoring) and content (curriculum-based, skill-building) offered.

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SYP Resources