The Creative Youth Development Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to advance equitable access to high-quality creative youth development programs, for Washington youth ages 13 to 26.
Donor Name: Allen Family Philanthropies
State: Washington
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/19/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The RFP aims to support programs that specifically utilize arts and culture as a tool to develop artistic skills, strengthen wellbeing through creative expression, and increase civic engagement.
Creative Youth Development (CYD) is an approach that enables young people to develop artistic and leadership capabilities, advance wellbeing, and connect with their communities and the world around them. CYD programs are diverse, spanning artistic disciplines such as film, various forms of dance, visual arts from photography to sculpture, musical composition to performance, and creative writing. Traditional and contemporary cultural traditions are also recognized within the practice of CYD, including but not limited to beadwork, dance, language preservation, storytelling, weaving, and wood carving. What they share are a set of intentional features, including artistically rigorous learning opportunities that are culturally relevant and responsive to youth needs; safe and supportive learning environments; youth-driven program design; relationship and network building among peers and adults, and youth civic engagement. CYD is distinct from traditional arts education, which focuses primarily on teaching artistic skills and techniques.
This new funding opportunity, offered by Allen Family Philanthropies, supports existing (not new) efforts that provide youth with CYD experiences, with priority support for projects that serve youth who have limited access to quality arts and cultural experiences. Programs must work with youth ages 13-26 during out-of-school-time programs that are driven by youth interests and influences and delivered by teaching artists. Allen Family Philanthropies recognizes that there are many approaches that could be effective in advancing the goals of the RFP and encourages organizations that meet the eligibility and review criteria to apply. They are particularly interested in programs that serve youth communities outside of King County and within Washington State.
Funding Information
- Up to $500k
- A total of $5M will be available to fund 10-12 organizations via this RFP.
Grant Period
Proposed project funding is for a period of three years.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- U.S. registered tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, working under the fiscal sponsorship of a U.S. registered tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, or state or federally recognized Tribal entities, including Tribes and nonprofits
- Programs must operate in Washington state
- Programs must have been in operation for a minimum of three years on the proposed start date.
Priority will be given to:
- Programs that are led by professional teaching artists
- Programs in the following Washington state counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Gray’s Harbor, Pacific, Pend Orielle, and Whitman.
Ineligibility Criteria
- School programs that deliver arts education curriculum in the classroom and/or leverage external arts learning opportunities during schooltime (i.e., fieldtrips)
- Academic institutions, such as colleges, universities, or technical schools
- Programs that have operated for less than three years
- Programs that offer individual, private student instruction, one-time or drop-in services, and/or those operating without an arts and/or cultural tradition curriculum .
For more information, visit AFP.
