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Funding for Youth Development
Positive Experiences + Positive Relationships + Positive Environments = Positive Youth Development
PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people's strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs developed a research agenda focused on positive youth development. Through a collaborative consensus-building process, representatives from federal agencies identified three research domains (conceptual issues, data sources and indicators, and program implementation and effectiveness) and key research questions that could benefit from future research.
PYD has its origins in the field of prevention. In the past, prevention efforts typically focused on single problems before they surfaced in youth, such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency.
Over time, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and researchers determined that promoting positive asset building and considering young people as resources were critical strategies. As a result, the youth development field began examining the role of resiliency - the protective factors in a young person's environment - and how these factors could influence one's ability to overcome adversity. Those factors included, but were not limited to, family support and monitoring; caring adults; positive peer groups; strong sense of self, self-esteem, and future aspirations; and engagement in school and community activities.
Researchers and practitioners began to report that young people who possess a diverse set of protective factors can, in fact, experience more positive outcomes. These findings encouraged the development of interventions and programs that reduce risks and strengthen protective factors. The programs and interventions are strengthened when they involve and engage youth as equal partners, ultimately providing benefits for both for the program and the involved youth.
Source: youth.gov
Foundation and philanthropic support for youth development from around the Web.
Foundation: Northern New York Community Foundation
The Northern New York Community Foundation is seeking applications for $200,000 in grant funds dedicated to support child and youth development in Lewis County over the next two years. Nonprofit...more
The Kiwanis Club of Fremont's biggest annual fundraiser, the Kiwanis Pancake Festival sold 2,505 tickets said Financial chairman Ron Goehring. All the proceeds from the event pay for a large share...more
Foundation: Rhode Island Foundation
The city of Woonsocket seeks a $100,000 federal arts grant to revitalize downtown. Some of the generous new Rhode Island Foundation grant will be used to help incubate art and design start-ups around...more
Foundation: Sprint Foundation
Sprint, through its philanthropic arm Sprint Foundation, will award three grants to Atlanta-area nonprofit groups this year, totaling $50,000 as part of the Sprint Local Giving Program. The Sprint...more
Foundation: Arizona Community Foundation
Grants from the Gila Valley Community Foundation are now available for application and nonprofit organizations in the Gila Valley are invited to submit proposals for funding for projects up to...more
The application process for Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation grants which is awarded to programs that serve African-Americans or other minority populations in Arkansas is now...more
Foundation: Dallas County Foundation
Deadline for applications for the grants from Dallas County Foundation is fast approaching and non-profit groups and government organizations are encouraged to apply. Grants ranges from $500 to...more
Foundation: Northern New York Community Foundation
The Northern New York Community Foundation seeks community projects to fund through a new, Lowville-specific grant program, the George R. Davis Community Fund. Focus areas for eligible projects...more
Foundation: International Youth Foundation
The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program has awarded grants to four Palestinian organizations to enhance career prospects. The program is by the International Youth Foundation in partnership...more
Betsy Covington, the Executive Director of Chattahoochee Valley's Community Foundation has recently announced that they will be committing $50,000 to various local schools through...more
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