The Youth College Readiness Grant is intended to support organizations that provide a comprehensive program of college preparation for Boston students, including mentorship, tutoring, and career exploration activities.
Donor Name: Office of Workforce Development (OWD)
State: Massachusetts
City: Boston
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/16/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Office of Workforce Development aims to increase exposure and access to post-secondary planning to improve college readiness for the next generation of first-generation academic leaders. Priority is given to programs that serve middle-grade (7th-8th grade) students.
The Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) is the City of Boston’s workforce development agency. OWD administers funding from various sources to support various services, including education and training, career development, job training, adult basic education, and youth employment services.
Funding Information
- Total Amount Available for Grant Program: $500,000
- Award Amount per Grant per Organization: $50,000 – $150,000.
Program Participant Eligibility
Boston residents, 7th or 8th grade, who are low-income. Higher priority should be given to students living in public housing. Note that they aim to serve a high proportion of would-be first-generation college students with these funds. Programs should be prepared to explain how they recruit students from these populations and how they intend to document eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that serves Boston residents. If an applicant is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, they can apply with a fiscal sponsor.
- Organizations must have a demonstrated track record of serving this population and be able to speak to the outcomes of the work they have previously implemented.
- Collaborative grant applications between nonprofits and community-based organizations are acceptable and encouraged. These initiatives may include BPS schools as a partner; however, grant-funded programming must be open to the public and cannot be exclusive to individual school communities.
- Applicants must have:
- Existing partnerships with institutes of higher education, with plans to transition younger learners into structured programs in high school and beyond
- Demonstrated success in preparing young people for college or other post-secondary pathways (like apprenticeships).
For more information, visit OWD.
