Urban College Partners with City of Boston to Invest in the City’s Youth
Urban College is proud to join forces with the City of Boston Youth Development Fund (YDF) Grant Program to help youth-serving nonprofits expand their reach and impact. The partnership reflects Urban College’s mission of accessible education, opening pathways to leadership and professional growth, and now strengthening the organizations that shape Boston’s next generation.
About the Youth Development Fund
In 2026, the City of Boston is investing $1.5 million to nonprofits serving adolescents and young adults ages 14-24. The YDF supports organizations aligned with Mayor Wu’s Connect, Learn, Explore commitment to Boston youth, with grants available in two categories:
Tier One - Emerging Youth Development Organizations: Up to $10,000 in funding.
Tier Two - Established Youth Development Organizations: Up to $30,000 in funding.
Applications are open until August 26th, 2025 at 5pm.
Beyond Funding: Urban College’s Role
For Tier One grantees, the YDF offers more than financial support. Grantees will be invited to join the Emerging Organization Learning Community which includes access to Urban College’s two-part Nonprofit Management Program.
Urban College has developed this program specifically for YDF grantees and the curriculum is rooted in the College’s strong foundation in human services education. The program is designed to equip leaders with the skills to serve the Boston youth community with equity, empathy, and measurable impact.
Through the Nonprofit Management Program, grantees will learn how to:
Build self-awareness and emotional intelligence for authentic leadership.
Integrate restorative justice principles into organizational practice.
Improve financial management, compliance, and reporting.
Strengthen strategic planning and outcome measurement capacity.
Develop actionable, City-aligned plans ready for implementation.
Enhance communication, collaboration, and partnership readiness.
Foster equitable, youth-centered organizational cultures that truly serve Boston’s young people.
Build a collaborative relationship with other similarly-sized youth development organizations in Boston.
Who Can Apply
All applicants must:
Serve Boston youth ages 14-24, operate in a Boston neighborhood, and offer programming during the 2025-2026 school year.
Tier One - Emerging Youth Development Organizations:
Organizations with annual budgets under $300K, in their second year of operation (established before July 1, 2024), and able to commit to in-person and virtual sessions between November 2025 and June 2026.
Tier Two - Established Youth Development Organizations:
Organizations with annual budgets between $300K and $5M that demonstrate positive youth development outcomes and contribute to the Emerging Organizations Learning Community.
Together, we can invest in Boston’s future and help youth-centered organizations thrive. View the full program requirements and apply here before August 26. Let’s build a stronger future for our city’s youth!
