Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF) Grant

Grants of up to $25,000 to Arizona nonprofit and faith-based organizations to provide summer activities for children and youth. Funding is intended to support existing programs in the areas of arts and culture, personal youth development, physical activity and recreation, nature and the environment, disability, and academic and educational programming. Funded activities must primarily serve youth in Maricopa County.

The Summer Youth Program Fund (SYPF) is an independent grantmaking program founded and managed by local funders who support, or are interested in supporting, agencies that provide summer programming for Maricopa County youth. The purpose of the SYPF is to supplement existing programs in order to enrich, enhance, and expand summer offerings for children and youth. Grants will be made to organizations that match the criteria of individual funders participating in the collaboration. 

For the purpose of this grant program, "youth" is defined as school aged, kindergarten through grade 12. "Summer", which is the time when programs must be conducted, is defined as the period of time when school is not in session between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The SYPF recognizes that summer programs, particularly those serving economically disadvantaged youth, require financial assistance to provide creative and recreational outlets while fostering personal development and life-long learning.

During out of school time, young people tend to engage in the highest levels of health-harming behaviors. Targeted programs provide a continuum of care during the summer months and offer opportunities for youth to develop and sustain enriching and healthy lifestyle activities that will divert them from negative behaviors.

Organizations with a focus on artistic and academic programs are encouraged to apply with innovative ways to decrease sedentary activities and increase knowledge of healthy lifestyles. Recognizing that youth-serving organizations shape the environment of our youth, the SYPF will encourage all applicants to play a role in addressing the trend of childhood obesity through implementation of proper nutrition practices and opportunities to be physically active. 

Specific Funding Priorities

• Serve disadvantaged youth from neighborhoods with limited access to organized activities
• Serve youth with disabilities or special health needs
• Exhibit stable history of community support, outreach and partnerships
• Demonstrate ability to increase number of youth served
• Provide age-appropriate, enriching activities and education components
• Identify areas to improve program quality and increase positive impact to participants
• Establish realistic outcomes for the program participants
• Create innovative methods to reach youth and instill healthy lifestyle behaviors
• Collaborate among fellow grant seekers

The SYPF encourages collaborative efforts among organizations with similar goals, increase service capacities and expand outreach to touch the lives of youth in Maricopa County.