Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grant 2026: $2,000 Grants for U.S. Organizations to Build Youth Leadership and Decision-Making Opportunities
Youth Service America (YSA) provides $2,000 grants to help U.S. organizations create or strengthen formal youth leadership structures, such as youth councils, and organize community engagement events around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Overview
The Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grant is a funding opportunity from Youth Service America (YSA), supported by an AmeriCorps MLK Day of Service grant. The program provides $2,000 to selected organizations to develop a new Youth Council or similar youth leadership structure, or to expand an existing one. Grantees are expected to organize a citywide, regional, or statewide Youth Leadership Summit around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and maintain ongoing opportunities for youth voice and decision-making through The Civic Season.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based organizations meeting the program’s criteria, which include:
- K-12 schools
- Higher education institutions
- Out-of-school-time and afterschool programs
- Summer learning programs
- Positive youth development and community-based organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- State and local governments
How to Apply
Organizations can submit their applications online through Youth Service America. Applicants must provide organizational and contact information, answer questions about their youth engagement experience and proposed leadership structures, outline recruitment strategies, and submit a preliminary budget alongside a match-funding plan.
Deadline
The application deadline is Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time.