Howard County will be seeing more opportunities for its youth to get involved and connected outside of school hours thanks to the Fiscal Year 2025 Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grants, an initiative announced by County Executive Calvin Ball. The application cycle has opened and those interested can apply until the September 10, 11:59 p.m. deadline by visiting Howard County's website to find all the necessary materials for submission, Ball's office shared.
Nonprofit organizations that have a record of serving the Howard County community may qualify for these grants, and Ball's statement to the community emphasized the importance of such programs, "Through our transformative YEP! program, more than 8,000 young people have participated in free and low-cost programming supported by nonprofit community organizations." The program not only helps youth feel "safe, welcomed, supported and encouraged to be their best selves," but also recognizes the ongoing demand for after-school and weekend engagement opportunities within Howard County, according to the county's press release.
Eager to bolster youth engagement beyond school hours, the YEP! grants are aimed at nonprofits that can offer consistent programming throughout the year at minimal or no cost to participants. To be eligible for financial aid, organizations must engage with youths on at least a monthly basis across a 12-month period when schools are typically closed, this includes weekends, after-school hours, and summer breaks. Applicants can vie for grants ranging between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on their proposed project's breadth and expected impact.
The grant recipients will be required to not just implement or enhance their programs but also to keep detailed records of participation and outcomes, including, performance measures such as the number of youth served, the geographic reach of the program, and the age range of participants, with quarterly reports to be sent to the Office of the County Executive. To further aid potential applicants, the Office is hosting a virtual public information session on August 22 and the details for registration can be found on Howard County's official website.
For inquiries and additional information regarding the YEP! grants or the application process, the Office of the County Executive is available via a phone call to 410-313-3939 or an email to [email protected].
