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CSF's 2027-2028 Youth-Led Funding Opportunity

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in St. Louis County Children Service Fund's 2027-2028 Youth-Led Funding Opportunity. Please review the instructions and read the entire Notice of Funding Opportunity before beginning a proposal.
About this Funding Opportunity
CSF’s inaugural Youth Advisory Council (YAC) designed this funding opportunity based on identified needs and priorities among St. Louis County youth. YAC members will review proposals and make funding recommendations to the CSF Board of Directors for final approval. Identified values of this group are diversity, equity, community, integrity, and future generations.
Available Funding
The CSF Board of Directors has approved a pool of up to $150,000 for this funding opportunity. YAC members may recommend up to 10 awards. Organizations may apply for a maximum of $25,000. The funding period for these awards will be one year, beginning March 1, 2027.

Funding Priorities
YAC members have identified programs that support youth mental health by offering art/recreation/enrichment for youth ages 5-18 as the priority for this funding opportunity. YAC members are seeking to fund programs that:
  • Expose youth to new experiences, including noncompetitive sports activities
  • Are easily accessible for underserved communities
  • Help youth build skills that will be useful in their future
  • Provide education to increase awareness of mental health
Programs must be free to youth participants. Programs that are led by youth are preferred.

Eligibility to Apply
To qualify for funding, an organization must meet the minimum criteria:
  • Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of Missouri or a governmental entity OR have a fiscal sponsor that meets that criteria
  • Be in good standing with the state of Missouri
  • Participate in the federal E-Verify program (employment eligibility program)
Organizations currently and previously funded by CSF are eligible to apply for funding to support programs or activities that CSF is not funding through another contract.

Schools and school districts (public, private, or charter) are not eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Submission Requirements
Qualifying organizations wishing to apply for this funding opportunity must complete and submit this application, as well as complete and attach the following documents on the final page of this application no later than 4 p.m. CDT on Friday, October 23, 2026:
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