VCU Division of Community Engagement

Office of the Provost

Mary and Frances Youth CenterVCU Health Hub

Request for Proposals

Positive Youth Development Seed Grant 2025

A mentor playing tik tak toe with chalk and a young girl on a tennis court

Positive Youth Development Seed Grant 2025 PDF

The Mary and Frances Youth Center is excited to offer up to 10 $2,000 grant awards for community partners interested in collaborating with the Mary and Frances Youth Center at VCU. Funding is limited to proposals that exemplify partnerships and program development with the MFYC and are dependent upon the merit of the project and the strength of the application submitted.

Here are some ideas for proposals we are eager to fund, each integrating the Youth Center in meaningful ways:

  • Youth Workshops or Classes: Propose a series of workshops or classes for youth that take place at the Youth Center. These could range from arts and crafts to coding or science experiments. We'd love for these workshops to be interactive, engaging, and possibly culminate in a showcase event at the Youth Center.
  • Community Service Projects: Suggest a community service project that involves both the youth and community partners, with planning sessions or reflection meetings held at the Youth Center.
  • Sports-Based Program: We're particularly interested in sports-based activities that promote teamwork, health, and wellness among youth. Whether it's organizing a mini-sports league, hosting a sports clinic, or setting up a one-day sports festival, we'd like these activities to be linked with the Youth Center, perhaps using its facilities for practices or gatherings.
  • Mentorship Program: Launch a mentorship program where youth can be paired with mentors from the community and VCU. The Youth Center could serve as a meeting place for mentor-mentee pairs, providing a safe and supportive environment for meetings, workshops, or group activities focused on personal development, career exploration, or academic guidance.
  • Technology and STEM Initiatives: With the world moving towards more tech-driven solutions, we’re eager to support programs that introduce or expand youth’s knowledge and skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) areas.
  • Youth Educator Training and Professional Development: The Richmond Youth Development Network strives to be a regional hub for professional development that supports positive youth development. We are excited to hear from our partners what professional development opportunities would best support their staff and how the Richmond YDN can provide those opportunities.

For more information, download the Positive Youth Development Seed Grant 2025 PDF.

Questions related to the application should be directed to Misti Mueller, Executive Director of Mary and Frances Youth Center muellermr@vcu.edu.

Apply Now!