Community Programs - Request for Application (RFA)
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) seeks a qualified grantee to design, implement, and manage a comprehensive, community-based ecosystem of services that supports justice-involved youth and their families. Centered around the MLK Achievement Center and broader community settings, this initiative integrates grantmaking, capacity building, community engagement, and direct stabilization supports to promote positive youth development, successful reentry, and long-term stability.
The selected grantee will oversee a dynamic sub-grant fund to support a diverse network of community-based organizations delivering age-appropriate programming for youth ages 14–21, lead capacity-building efforts for subgrantees providing targeted training and technical assistance to strengthen program quality, fiscal compliance, data management, and organizational effectiveness, manage a portfolio of community engagement activities, including monthly youth and family events, enrichment opportunities, and an annual back-to-school event, and administer a Youth and Family Emergency Stabilization Fund, providing flexible, timely financial assistance to address urgent needs that may impact a youth’s stability, engagement, or successful reintegration.
The amount available for the project is up to $2.3 million for FY27 beginning October 1, 2026.
The full text of the Request for Applications (RFA) will be available on the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and the DYRS website on July 13, 2026. The shortened notice period for the NOFA/RFA is necessary to meet urgent programmatic needs and prevent disruptions to critical services for vulnerable populations, while still allowing sufficient time to conduct thorough safety and background checks necessary to deploy services.
Download a copy of the RFA here.
The deadline for application submissions is August 7, 2026 at 5 PM ET. All applications must be submitted via ZoomGrants.com.
Eligibility:
All institutions listed below are eligible:
- Nonprofit organizations, including those with IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) determinations,
- Faith-based organizations,
- Government agencies,
- Universities/educational institutions,
- Private Enterprises.
For additional information regarding this RFA, email: [email protected].
Credible Messenger Initiative
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) seeks to award one local organization that demonstrates the capability to deliver mentorship programming inside the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ secure facilities- New Beginnings and at Youth Services Center; and up to three organizations rooted in neighborhoods where young people and families, and Credible Messengers reside and to provide transformative mentoring to youth committed to the agency, residing in the community. Through this initiative, mentoring services, family support programming, and other programs consistent with the goals and objectives of the Credible Messenger Initiative will be offered.
The amount available for the project is up to $3.8 million for FY27 beginning October 1, 2026.
The full text of the Request for Applications (RFA) will be available on the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and the DYRS website on July 20, 2026. The shortened notice period for the NOFA/RFA is necessary to meet urgent programmatic needs and prevent disruptions to criticalservices for vulnerable populations, while still allowing sufficient time to conduct thorough safety and background checks necessary to deploy services.
Download a copy of the RFA here.
The deadline for application submissions is August 14, 2026 at 5 PM ET. All applications must be submitted via ZoomGrants.com.
Eligibility:
All institutions listed below are eligible:
- Nonprofit organizations, including those with IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) determinations,
- Faith-based organizations,
- Government agencies,
- Universities/educational institutions,
- Private Enterprises.
For additional information regarding this RFA, email: [email protected].
