In 1966, Mr. Bernard H. Jones founded Urban Youth Action (UYA), a youth support program that provided developmental and social growth opportunities to Black inner-city youth in Pittsburgh. Urban Youth Action offered daily life studies and other programs to help young people transition from adolescence to adulthood. Participants learned the importance of doing well in school and working hard to achieve their dreams. They also explored ideas about family and community. These young people were admonished to take pride in everything they did. In addition, Urban Youth Action taught them fundamental skills to succeed, such as how to dress and prepare for an interview, balance a checkbook, and plan and run a business. They were exposed to business and civic leaders who imparted knowledge to them that would have otherwise been unavailable.

After years of incredible, transformative work with Black inner-city youth, the Urban Youth Action Program stopped offering formal programming around 2012. However, the work and legacy of Urban Youth Action will continue through annual grant support and youth flex funds provided to organizations that exemplify the vision of Urban Youth Action.

Urban Youth Action Grant

The Urban Youth Action grant program supports eligible applicants who provide consistent programming or services in youth education and enrichment. These funds can be used for general operations, program or project support. The organization must primarily work with Black middle or high school students.

• Depending on fund availability, grant amounts will be up to $10,000 per applicant; 

• Annual grants are not guaranteed.

ELIGIBILITY

• Must be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored initiative;

• Must have a mission or focus on educational or enrichment services for Black middle or high school students;

• Must work primarily with Black middle or high school students if requesting general operating support; 

• Must be a project or program that serves Black middle or high school students, if requesting program or project support;

• Must have at least two years of operating history. 

PROCESS

Before applying for support through the Urban Youth Action grant program, please thoroughly read the program guidelines. If you have any questions regarding the eligibility or fit of the request, don't hesitate to get in touch with POISE Program Officer Shaqui Scott at: sscott@poisefdn.org

• Please review application guidelines and submit requests in the POISE application portal at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=pfgrants

  • Select the Urban Youth Action grant program, and apply for support.

  • If you need assistance creating an account, please visit the following link for instructions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O2-rkkxy9iQ1WLx2LKaBYr9LgFoXfaqt/view

• All LOI submissions will be processed and checked for eligibility on July 14, 2023. Eligible applicants will participate in a virtual interview. A POISE program officer will conduct the interviews, and applicants are encouraged to ask key staff who will support the grant request to participate. 

• Upon completion of interviews, selected applicants will receive full application invitations.

• After all applications have been received, an evaluation will occur by an external review committee of five individuals representing the following groups: organizational leaders working in youth enrichment and education, parents and middle and high-school-aged students. 

• Once the evaluations are complete and proper approvals have been obtained, applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their applications. Applicants should expect to receive notice regarding their application around September 18th. 

  
  
  

Urban Youth Action Flex Grant

The Urban Youth Action Flex Grant supports eligible applicants who provide consistent programming or services in youth education and enrichment.

The fund is intended to assist Black middle or high school students with expenses related to enrichment activities or their education, career or entrepreneurial development. Eligible use of grant funds includes, but is not limited, to field trips, bus fares, school supplies, technology, out-of-school time activities and traveling expenses. 

• Depending upon fund availability, grant amounts will be up to $1,000 per applicant; 

• Only one application per applicant per year can be submitted; 

• Funds may be used to support more than one youth;

• Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Annual support is not guaranteed. 

Eligibility

• Must be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored initiative;

• Must have a mission or focus on educational or enrichment services for Black middle or high school students;

• Must use Flex Grant to assist Black middle or high school students with expenses related to  enrichment activities or their education, career or entrepreneurial development;

• Must be located in Greater Pittsburgh region, except for fiscal sponsor;

• Must serve youth of color. 

Application Process

Before applying for support through the Urban Youth Action Flex Grant, please read the program guidelines. If you have any questions regarding the eligibility or fit of your request, don't hesitate to get in touch with POISE Foundation Program Officer Shaqui Scott at: sscott@poisefdn.org

• Please review application guidelines and submit requests in the POISE application portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=pfgrants

  • Select the Urban Youth Action Flex Grant, and apply for support. 

  • If you need assistance creating an account, please visit the following link for instructions:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O2-rkkxy9iQ1WLx2LKaBYr9LgFoXfaqt/view

• A program officer will review and process all applications for eligibility on the second Monday of each month. 

• Once all applications have been reviewed and processed, the program officer will notify applicants of the application status.

Fiscal Sponsorship

Fiscal sponsorship is a mechanism that allows a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (the sponsor) to support and protect another group (the sponsored partner). One of the most common uses of fiscal sponsorship is to enable a sponsored partner to apply for grants and solicit tax-deductible contributions. This reduces the partner's costs, conserves resources, reduces duplication of personnel and simplifies organizational functions. 

Done well, a fiscal sponsorship acts as a proving ground for a new idea or a new nonprofit while utilizing the administrative resources of the sponsor. Newly formed nonprofits, LLCs, individuals, and groups may apply through fiscal sponsors while awaiting their IRS's 501(c)(3) designation.