Every year Hampton’s City Council allocates $40,000 to the Youth Commission to be used to grant funding to community based organizations, faith based organizations, youth-led organizations and initiatives, and youth projects throughout the city. The Commission’s annual grant program is their philanthropic approach to obtain the six goals of the Youth Component of the City of Hampton’s Comprehensive Community Plan. There are two funding cycles each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)—Fall Initiative Grants and Spring Service Projects.

Fall Initiative Grants – Applications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) become available between September–November with a November deadline. The funding opportunities and specific strategies that the Commission chose to fund varies year to year, however the underline objective of each funding opportunity are the objectives from the Youth Component. Funded proposals and applications of this grant cycle are usually more long term programs and initiatives lasting anywhere between a few weeks to several months. The Commission encourages grantees to use the awarded funds as seed funding to establish or build capacity to continue the initiative for years to come. Average grant awards are $2500-$5000. In some cases, the awards have been as much as $9300.

Spring Service Grants – Applications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) become available between January–March with a March deadline. This funding opportunity is designed for young people to conduct service learning projects or community service projects to honor National Youth Service Day commemorated in April. Funded applications of this grant cycle are for projects usually lasting no more than two weeks (from preparation, planning, to completion). Average grant awards are $500-$1000.

In order to receive funding, groups must complete the appropriate application in full, providing a detailed budget and answering each question in as much detail as possible that will thoroughly explain how their initiative or project relates to the specific goals and objective the Commission chooses to fund and initiative or project exemplifies a true youth and adult partnership. Letters of recommendation or support are also required.