Capacity Building Initiative (Dwight Stuart Youth Fund)

Capacity Building Initiative (Dwight Stuart Youth Fund) is sponsored by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund (DSYF). This initiative strengthens youth-serving nonprofits in Los Angeles County by offering grant support for capacity-building activities such as staff training, fundraising capabilities, creation of new staff positions, board training, facilities development, and technology purchas…

Organizations interested in a program support grant from DSYF start by submitting a Letter of Interest (LOI); DSYF will then invite selected organizations to submit a full proposal. Please review the eligibility criteria and grantmaking restrictions on our Application Procedures page before starting your LOI. Current and past program support grantees are eligible to apply for additional funds through our Capacity Building Initiative.

More information about this process is provided in the Capacity Building Initiative section of the website. We support organizations with an active, reflective, and committed board of directors who consistently monitor and guide the organization’s financial and programmatic performance. The organization should have an effective administrative infrastructure and qualified staff to support its programs.

We support organizations that align their projects and programs with their mission, goals, and financial resources. The program design should demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of children and youth development and reflect an appreciation for diverse cultures and ethnicities. We encourage organizations that have plans in place for ensuring a stable future and long-term program effectiveness.

This means the organization should have the ability to acquire funding from multiple sources and contingency plans for unexpected circumstances. We want to assist organizations that measure the quality and effectiveness of their programs and can demonstrate results. These organizations continue to identify and learn from models of best practices and share their experiences with other agencies.

Feedback from participants and their families, schools, and community, as well as the needs of the staff, are considered when designing their programs. We support organizations that work with other agencies to reduce duplication efforts and fill gaps in programming. These organizations understand the importance of including neighborhood and community participation and actively engage these groups when planning their programs.

Only organizations with current tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501(c) 3 are eligible for funding.

FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR: Buildings or capital campaigns Unrestricted endowments or deficit reduction Political parties, candidates, campaigns, or lobbying activities Fundraising activities, benefit sponsorship, advertisements, or tables Medical or health programs, including hospitals, clinics, and mental or physical trauma recovery programs Organizations which, in their constitution or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, political affliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief Programs operating outside Los Angeles County RE-APPLICATION PROCEDURES RE-APPLICATION PROCEDURES We are Fueled by Collaboration DSYFInfo@dsyf.

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