Summer Youth Program Grant FAQ

The 2026 Summer Youth Program Grant is a competitive funding opportunity through the City of Columbus that supports high-quality summer programs for youth living within the city’s corporate boundaries. Grants are intended to expand access to education, recreation, workforce development, and college-readiness opportunities in safe and supportive environments.

Providing young people with safe, enriching opportunities during the summer helps promote learning, personal growth, and positive relationships. These experiences can reduce the likelihood of youth being involved in—or impacted by—crime, violence, and other unsafe behaviors. The City prioritizes programs that serve youth who are vulnerable, at risk, underserved, or who otherwise lack access to high-quality programming.

Funded programs should support one or more of the following outcomes:

• Increased academic performance
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Improved career readiness and workplace skills

The City prioritizes programs that take place in—or serve youth who live in—designated “opportunity neighborhoods.” These are communities identified as facing significant socioeconomic challenges while also showing strong potential for positive transformation.

Opportunity neighborhoods include:

• Hilltop (43223, 43204, 43228)
• Linden (43211, 43224)
• Franklinton (43222, 43223)
• Far West (43228)
• South Side (43206, 43207)
• Near East (43203, 43205)
• Southeast & Far East (43227, 43232)
• Northeast (43219)
• Northland (43229)

To be eligible, an organization must:

• Be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the IRS
• Directly administer the proposed summer program (no fiscal agents or pass-throughs)
• Serve youth ages 5–18 who live within the City of Columbus
• Operate the program between May and September 2026
• Submit a complete application, compliant budget, and all required documentation by the deadline

Organizations that do not meet these requirements will not be reviewed.

The City anticipates investing in summer youth programming at a level similar to 2025, pending passage of the 2026 Operating Budget.

For reference, in 2025:

• 112 grants were awarded
• Total investment: approximately $8.6 million
• Awards ranged from $2,000 to $300,000
• Average award: ~$77,000
• Median award: $65,000

Past funding levels do not guarantee future awards. Applicants should request amounts that are reasonable and proportional to their proposed program.

Grant funds are paid in installments:

• Up to 50% after contract execution and submission of an invoice
• Up to 40% after submission of an acceptable interim report and invoice
• Final 10% after successful program completion, compliance with grant requirements, and final invoice

Funds are typically disbursed within 30 days of contract execution and receipt of a complete and accurate invoice.

Allowable expenses include:

• Salaries and wages
• Fringe benefits
• Insurance
• Meals for program participants
• Transportation related to program activities
• Space or facility rental
• Consumable supplies
• Incentives, consultants, indirect costs, and miscellaneous expenses (with justification)

Unallowable expenses include:

• Activities outside Columbus city limits
• Costs incurred before contract start
• Sales tax, tips, or gratuities
• Political activities
• Staff meals or bonuses
• Capital equipment purchases
• Conference travel or registrations
• Event sponsorships or large scholarships

Yes. Applicants must use the 2026 City of Columbus Summer Youth Program Grant Application Budget Template Excel spreadsheet and upload it as part of the application. Certain expense categories require written justification within the template.

Eligible applications are evaluated by a review committee based on:

• Alignment with grant outcomes and priorities
• Ability to serve vulnerable or underserved youth
• Service to opportunity neighborhoods
• Use of youth intervention best practices
• Organizational capacity and cost reasonableness
• Measurement and reporting of outcomes
• Experience delivering youth programming
• Collaboration with community partners
• Completeness of the application

Applicants can expect to be notified of funding decisions in March 2026.

Funded organizations must submit:

• An interim report
• A final report

Reports include enrollment, attendance, demographics, school affiliation, home zip codes, and a narrative describing program impact. Site visits may also be conducted. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in reduced or withheld funding.

Yes. To receive funding, your organization must be registered as a vendor with the City of Columbus and upload a Form W-9 to the Vendor Services portal. Vendor registration must be completed or initiated by the application deadline.

No, but they are strongly encouraged. Sessions provide general guidance on the application process. The City cannot provide individualized advice about specific applications.

• January 12, 2026 (12:00 p.m.) – Application opens
• January 26, 2026 (12:00 p.m.) – Virtual information session
• January 28, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) – In-person information session
• February 13, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) – Application deadline

No. The online application will not save your progress. Applicants are strongly encouraged to draft responses in a separate document before submitting.

For questions or assistance, email summeryouth@columbus.gov.