2026-2027 Youth Making Change Grant

About this archived opportunity

Project Eligibility Requirements: Must be youth-led (age 12-24.) Youth are leaders in all aspects of the project, including the writing of this grant application. Must meet the Funding Guideline Must operate in a democratic manner, responsive to and directed by the group of people you aim to serve; Teens in the community must benefit from your project, not just the planning team. Must attempt to fix a problem affecting youth by providing a solution. Must be located in Santa Barbara County. Must have a sponsoring organization, such as a school or community group. Guidelines (requests must align with at least 1): Actively support anti-discrimination based on race, sex/gender, age, religion, language spoken or immigration status; Actively support communities marginalized by power structures to engage in dialogue and actions that seek to counter social injustice; Actively work to improve the rights of workers and their families whose living conditions have been marginalized; Promote the cultural life of underserved communities and support the activities of cultural workers; Promote self-determination and leadership development in low-income and disenfranchised communities; Promote global peace and organize locally for just policies; Work on building coalitions to enhance improving environmental justice and address climate change, especially organizing a constituency usually without access to decision-makers; Engage in collaborative action and coalition-building to strengthen movement ecosystems; Work against community violence and actively support recovery and restorative… Eligibility: Project Eligibility Requirements: Must be youth-led (age 12-24.) Youth are leaders in all aspects of the project, including the writing of this grant application.; Must meet the Funding Guideline; Must operate in a democratic manner, responsive to and directed by the group of people you aim to serve; Teens in the community must benefit from your project, not just the planning team.; Must attempt to fix a problem affecting youth by providing a solution.; Must be located in Santa Barbara County.; Must have a sponsoring organization, such as a school or community group.; We do NOT Fund Political campaigns that support a candidate or a political party;; Private (vs. public) interests;; Direct labor organizing;; Projects providing direct services without a social change advocacy component;; Direct support to individuals;; Building improvements;; Capital ventures, i.e. machines, vehicles, etc.; Office equipment;; Projects located outside of Santa Barbara County.. Submissions close Oct 10, 2026.