Youth Education & Development Grant Program

Youth Education & Development Grant Program is sponsored by Episcopal Charities (New York). The Youth Education and Development Grant Program by Episcopal Charities aims to enhance educational opportunities for children in New York.

Our Grant Process | Episcopal Charities of New York 2026 Food Access program applicants: The opening of the Food Access application has been postponed to Friday, April 10, due to technical difficulties. The deadline for applications has been extended to midnight on Friday, May 8, to accommodate this change. OUR FOCUS AREAS FOR GRANTS.

For 2026, we have three broad grant applicant categories that reflect our mission of addressing critical needs and provide immediate impact. Each category has its own grant cycle and deadlines, but all grants begin with a Letter Of Intent (LOI) followed by a timeline for an RFP . All are grants subject to our eligibility requirements.

YOUTH EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT Organizations that provide education and enrichment services to youth, throughout the academic year and summer. This includes academic enrichment, art and music programs, and skill building. Organizations that provide individuals with access nutritious meals and groceries.

This grant category includes food pantries, community kitchens, emergency food service centers, the Bulk Buy and Farm to Pantry Programs. SHELTER & IMMIGRATION & WELLNESS Organizations that provide services to those experiencing housing insecurity including asylum seekers, migrants, refugees.

Services may also include shelter, language skills, health and wellness etc. OUR 4 TYPES OF GRANT APPLICATIONS Our 3 grant focus areas can fall under these four grant cycles for upcoming 2026 year . These grant cycles range from established programs to innovative new programs. Your organization should request the application that fits your structure.

Grants to recipient organizations that have established: (1) a multi-year operating history (2) a clear efficacy track record (3) demonstrated sustainability (4) multiple sources of grants/funding. Traditional grants are considered mature progams. Please note Youth summer programs will not be granted in the 2024-25 cycle.

Going forward we require a site visit in 2025 before we can allocate funds in 2026. These programs can request a site visit in 2025. Grants to recipient organizations that have established: (1) a demonstrated operating and financial history ( but typically less so than a Traditional Grants applicant ) (2) a demonstrable efficacy track record (3) effective management and procedures in place.

Limited Infrastructure Grant applicants typically anticipate having greater dependence in the medium-term on a grant from EC than is often the case for Traditional Grant recipients.

Grants to recipient organizations that have:​ (1) limited or possibly no substantive operating history and therefore seek to commence a new initiative; (2) an immediate, time-sensitive objective to address a compelling, urgent, acute need; (3) provided EC with a credible feasibility plan; (4) the leadership in place to undertake their proposed work.

Although Innovation Grants are generally intended for early-stage grantee organizations, Innovation Grants may also be considered for compelling new initiatives undertaken by Traditional Grant and Limited Infrastructure Grant recipients. Program Improvement Grants are grants made by EC in partnership with our grantor organization partners.

In certain cases, in order to enable EC programming supported by grantor organizations, EC will fund grants intended strengthen or enhance facilities or other operating infrastructure. Frequently asked questions Who should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)? All Episcopal Charity Grantees and new partner applicants must complete one (and only one) LOI form.

The Letter of Intent (LOI) is the first step in EC’s grants process. The LOI ensures all applicants begin with the same foundation and provides EC with a clear understanding of each program’s alignment with our mission and funding priorities. Will Letter of Intent (LOI) forms be sent out to us, or do we need to initiate it?

LOI forms will be available through the EC website and the Blackbaud portal on January 6th 2026. Programs are responsible for initiating and submitting the LOI within the open window which is January 6, 2026- January 26, 2026. Is there a form to complete the Letter of Intent?

Yes. The LOI is a short online form within the Blackbaud Grants Portal. It must be completed and submitted electronically.

What if I want to apply for more than one grant? Do I need to submit more than one LOI? Each applicant should submit one LOI that specifies which EC grant cycle(s) you wish to apply for.

For 501c3 programs (not churches) with liquid/cash assets over $400,000 (not investments or endowment), will they still have access to apply for non-cash grants such as Bulk Buy? Yes, access to non-cash grants such as Bulk Buy (including equipment and hygiene grants), Immigrant Resource Hub and Frances Perkins social work support are available to organizations with any budget size.

What if a program qualifies for two issue areas with different application dates? Programs should submit an LOI for the issue area that most closely aligns with their primary program activities and outcomes. If EC determines a program fits better in another category, our staff will guide you to the appropriate cycle.

Will we be able to make multiple copies of the completed Blackbaud application for our internal distribution? Yes. You can download and print a PDF copy of the completed application from your Blackbaud portal for your internal files or board distribution.

A question on church sponsorship: supported vs. church-based: How do I know which category my nonprofit falls under? Church-Based Program: Operates within an Episcopal parish and is directly overseen by the parish leadership. Church-Supported Program: A separate 501c3 nonprofit that partners with or is supported by an Episcopal parish (e.g., volunteers, space, advocacy) but is not run by the parish.

Who is considered a “new” grantee and therefore ineligible to apply for Food Access grants in 2026? Does “new” mean never received an EC grant, or not in the past cycle? Is there another grant “new” food access grantees may be eligible for?

“New” refers to programs that have never been funded under EC’s Food Access portfolio. Programs previously funded in this category, regardless of the year, are considered returning applicants. “New” grantees may be eligible for first-time funding for food access programs under the Innovation Fund.

What are the background and qualifications of the Advisory Committee (AC)? What do they do? AC members bring experience in nonprofit leadership, social services, parish ministry, finance, philanthropy, community development, and EC-funded issue areas.

Their role is to: Review grant applications Provide program insight and assessment Recommend funding levels to EC leadership EC staff provide training and guidance to ensure a fair and consistent review process. Can we apply for both equipment and hygiene grants (Bulk Buy) as part of our Food Access grant request in April/May? Yes.

Programs may request both types of Bulk Buy support within the Food Access application, as long as the request aligns with demonstrated need and supports program operations. Does the $400k limit on cash and liquid assets apply to sponsoring churches? If the sponsoring church has cash and liquid assets above $400,000 but our specific program does not, may we apply?

The $400k budget limitation only applies to 501c3 nonprofits - not to churches. Additionally, EC evaluates the financial status of the program, not the sponsoring church . When can we learn what time office hours will be held?

As part of your invitation to apply for the RFP, you will be notified of office hours at the opening of each grant cycle. Office hour schedules will also be posted on the EC website. The application process begins with a letter of intent followed by an invitation to submit a FRP on specific dates outlined below.

The LOI opens on January 6th 2026. The LOI deadline is January 26th, 2026. You can apply here .

After our review, you will be notified on February 9th, if invited to submit an RFP. ​​ You can review the LOI page here for additional details. Youth Education & Development Shelter, Immigration & Wellness Food Program Timeline For Applying and Awards.

This grant focus area includes community meals, food pantries, brown bag services etc. Submit a LOI of intent between January 6th - 26th. After review of your LOI, you may be invited to submit an RFP on February 9th. Submit your RFP between April 10th- May 8th.

* new date due to technical difficulties. Site evaluations take place between May 13th - June 8th. Award notifications are on June 24nd with funds distributed on June 30th.

​ Application Now Open- See Details Shelter, Immigration & Wellness Programs This grant focus offers support and services to the elderly, those who have been displaced, are homeless or need wellness or addiction services should apply for grants in this cycle. Submit a LOI of intent between January 6th - 26th. After review of your LOI, you may be invited to submit an RFP on February 9th.

Submit your RFP between June 8th- July 7th. Site evaluations take place between July 13th - August 7th. Award notifications are on September 14th with funds distributed on September 22nd.

Application Now Open- See Details Youth Education & Development This grant focus area includes afterschool enrichment or summer programs in 2026. Submit a LOI of intent between January 6th - 26th. After review of your LOI, you may be invited to submit an RFP from February 16th-March 13th.

Site evaluations take place between March 19th-April 13th. Award notifications are on April 23nd with funds distributed on April 30th. ​ Application Now Open- See Details STEP 1 - GRANT SEEKER'S INFORMATION SESSIONS.

2026 Grant Process Training Webinars — Our information sessions took place in December with two training sessions offered. The sessions explained about sending a letter of intent during the open period. You can review more about the LOI here .

Sessions were held via Zoom. If you have questions you can email us at ecprograms@dioceseny. org .

STEP 2 - APPLICATION TRAINING WEBINAR SESSIONS We offer a webinar to help you with the RFP application process. Register by emailing us at ecprograms@dioceseny. org .

Sessions are held via Zoom. Funding is only available to grantee organizations and programs whose beneficiaries are located in the geographic footprint of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. New York State counties comprising The Episcopal Diocese of New York State include: New York (Manhattan), Richmond (Staten Island), Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan.

Grantees must complete a grant application on a timely basis and execute a grant agreement. Grantees must complete an interview with each of (1) a member of Episcopal Charities staff and (2) a member of the Episcopal Charities Advisory Committee. Grantees must be dedicated to non-religious, charitable missions that are non-sectarian and inclusive in all respects.

Grantees must be sponsored by a church within the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Grantees must participate in certain mandatory training prior to receiving a grant and, in some cases as determined by Episcopal Charities, as a condition of receiving a grant.