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    Youth Service America logo

    Youth Service America

    ActiveYouth DevelopmentFunds Individuals
    Washington, DCWebsiteEIN: 52-15008702 filings on record

    About Youth Service America

    We’re on a mission to make working together for the common good the common expectation and common experience of every young person in America.

    Focus Areas

    Youth developmentCivic engagement and voter educationVolunteering and serviceService-learningYouth leadership and capacity buildingHunger relief (youth grants/programs)

    Who They Fund

    youth and adolescentslocal community-based youth organizationsvolunteers and volunteer groupsgeographically defined communities/service zones

    Funding Style

    programmatic/grantmaking (project-specific)

    About Youth Service America

    Youth Service America channels most of its grantmaking into youth-led service, civic participation, and volunteer mobilization, with a pattern that reaches from small youth grants to larger lead-agency awards. In the recent grants list, the two largest amounts went to broad internal grant lines in Washington, DC, while named partners received funding for state and local service infrastructure across the country. The foundation’s programs repeatedly connect young people to national days of service, including Youth Service Month, Global Youth Service Day, MLK Day of Service, and 9/11 service activities. The organization also uses grants to support youth leadership and community organizing models. Examples include a $22,500 award to GenerationNation in Charlotte for National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and Youth Service Zone Grant work, and a $20,500 award to My Sister’s Keeper in Highland Park for the same combined purpose. Other grants support volunteer centers, schools, civic education groups, and youth-development organizations that host service activities or train young people to lead them. Across the grant list, Youth Service America funds only U.S. recipients.

    What Youth Service America Funds

    Youth Service America supports several linked cause areas rather than a single program silo. In civic engagement, it gave $14,000 to Young Women’s Preparatory Network in El Paso for National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant work, and $10,000 to Norte Vista High School in Riverside for a National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant. Its service-learning work shows up in youth-serving institutions and local intermediaries. The foundation awarded $19,500 to Perry Local Schools in Perry for a Youth Service Zone Grant, and $19,500 to Volunteer Center of South Jersey in Sewell for the same grant type. Youth voice and leadership also appear in program-specific youth grants. The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants support awareness, service, philanthropy, youth voice, leadership, and advocacy events during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day, with awards of $250, $500, or $1,000.

    How Youth Service America Gives

    Youth Service America’s typical grant size sits in a narrow band: the 25th percentile is $7,250, the median is $9,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,875. The recent grants list also shows a mix of larger lead-agency awards and smaller local grants, including recurring program lines such as Youth Service Zone, 50by250 Lead Organizer, and National Days of Service grants. Some recipients appear in multiple years, including the United Way of Genesee County, which received grants in both 2023 and 2024. The foundation funds individuals through recognition and youth awards as well as organizational grants. It also accepts unsolicited applications for some named programs, including Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants, We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants, and Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $726K

    Total Assets

    $556K

    Total Revenue

    $2M

    Total Expenses

    $2M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $7K and $13K, with a median of $9K.

    25th Percentile

    $7K

    Median

    $9K

    75th Percentile

    $13K

    Geographic Reach

    National28 states funded

    About 3% of grants go to recipients in NC.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Steven A Culbertson

    Deep Analysis

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    lead-organizer/anchor funding
    subgranting to local partners
    capacity-building for youth-serving organizations

    Topics

    national days of service / volunteer mobilizationyouth service and youth-led civic engagementafter-school programming and out-of-school-time supportsservice zone / community-based service hubscivic participation training (e.g., ServiceVote / voter engagement)organizer development (50by250 lead organizer model)

    Where Youth Service America Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is national, and the distribution of named recipients shows activity across many states. North Carolina appears most often by grant count, with examples including Charlotte and Winterville. Other repeated locations in the recent grants list include Baltimore, Maryland; Flint and Lansing, Michigan; and Houston, Texas. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 70 grants in the United States. The foundation’s headquarters are in Washington, DC, but only 3% of grants go to recipients in DC.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Service America

    What kinds of programs does Youth Service America fund?

    It funds youth service, civic engagement, volunteering, service-learning, youth leadership and capacity building, and hunger-relief projects through youth grants and programs. The active program list also includes National Days of Service, Youth Service Zone, ServiceVote, MLK Day of Service, and Global Youth Service Day.

    What is a typical grant size?

    The grant-size distribution is centered around small project grants: the 25th percentile is $7,250, the median is $9,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,875. Active youth-grant programs also include fixed awards such as $1,000 youth grants and Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes awards of $250, $500, or $1,000.

    Does the foundation fund only organizations, or also individuals?

    It funds individuals as well as organizations. The active programs include recognition and awards for youth service project leaders, alongside organizational grants for lead agencies, youth service zones, and local partners.

    Where does Youth Service America give most often?

    The top state by grant count is North Carolina. Recent recipients there include Charlotte and Winterville, while the foundation also gives broadly across the United States.

    Are there programs that accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes. The active program list marks Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants, We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants, and Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants as accepting unsolicited applications.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2024

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Youth Service America that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses Dec 8, 2026Award: Up to $3K

    Youth Stop Hunger Innovation Grants (Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation)

    Hunger reliefFood recovery / food systemsYouth leadership+2 more

    Who can apply: Teams of 2–5 youth between the ages of 5 and 25 based in the United States. Projects should address a root cause of hunger and engage other youth in volunteerism.

    Deadline: Application Deadline: December 8 (annual)

    View & apply
    Opening soonCloses Sep 11, 2026Award: Up to $1K

    We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants

    community serviceyouth leadershipcivic engagement+2 more

    Who can apply: Organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5 to 25 may apply to lead service projects on or around September 11. Grantees must engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities, with an emphasis on youth who are not usually asked to serve and who face systemic barriers to participation.

    Deadline: Application will open in late spring 2025.

    View & apply

    Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    All Other GranteesWashington, DC$197,6502024All Other Grants
    State of Michigan MCSCLansing, MI$29,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grants and Youth Service Zone Grant and Harris Wofford Award
    United Way of Genesee CountyFlint, MI$25,0002024Youth Genesee Serves Subgrants
    GenerationNationCharlotte, NC$22,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and Youth Service Zone Grant
    My Sister s KeeperHighland Park, MI$20,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and Youth Service Zone Grant
    Volunteer Center of South JerseySewell, NJ$19,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    Perry Local SchoolsPerry, OH$19,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    Engage ArkansasLittle Rock, AR$19,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    Massachusetts Service AllianceBoston, MA$19,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    Volunteer IowaDes Moines, IA$15,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant and Harris Wofford Award
    CAVALRYSan Antonio, TX$14,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    United Way of the PlainsWichita, KS$14,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Young Women s Preparatory NetworkEl Paso, TX$14,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Amazing TestimoniesGaston, SC$14,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Maryland Civic Education CoalitionBaltimore, MD$13,0002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    The 5th Inc Youth Development GroupHollywood, FL$12,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    SWAT Foundation IncAugusta, GA$10,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Norte Vista High SchoolRiverside, CA$10,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Gamebred Youth & FamiliesMiami, FL$10,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    United Way of the Dutchess-OrangePoughkeepsie, NY$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Green House International ChurchHouston, TX$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Morning Bishop Theatre PlayhouseGary, IN$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Let s Thrive BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Volunteer Center of Morgan CountyDecatur, AL$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    John Marshall High SchoolOklahoma City, OK$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Young Women of PromiseWinterville, NC$9,5002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant
    Democracy Prep Public SchoolsNew York, NY$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Indiana FCCLASunman, IN$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Louisiana 4-H FoundationBaton Rouge, LA$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Minnesota FCCLARoseville, MN$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Organized YouthSaugus, MA$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Learn and Serve TampaTampa, FL$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Houston School District FoundationHouston, TX$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    S C R A P GalleryCathedral City, CA$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Boys & Girls Clubs of Blue RidgeMartinsville, VA$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Anne Arundel County Public SchoolsAnnapolis, MD$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Coahoma Community CollegeClarksdale, MS$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Manor High SchoolPortsmouth, VA$9,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Cobb CollaborativeSmyrna, GA$8,000202450by250 Lead Organizer Grant and ServiceVote Fellows 2022 Grant
    The Red House Arts CenterSyracuse, NY$7,000202450by250 Lead Organizer Grant and Afterschool Grant
    University of MarylandCollege Park, MD$6,5002024Youth Service Zone Grant
    East Central High SchoolSaint Leon, IN$6,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Big Walnut Middle SchoolSunbury, OH$6,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    After-School All-Stars HawaiiHonolulu, HI$6,0002024Afterschool Grant
    Detroit Public Schools DistrictDetroit, MI$6,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    Montana FCCLABozeman, MT$6,0002024National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant
    All Other GrantsWashington, DC$355,2502023All Other Grants
    United Way of Genesee CountyFlint, MI$25,0002023Youth Genesee Serves Grants
    Girard CollegePhiladelphia, PA$15,0002023Youth Service Zone Grants
    Kaho omikiHonolulu, HI$10,0002023Youth Service Zone Grants

    All Other Grantees

    $197,650
    Washington, DC2024

    All Other Grants

    State of Michigan MCSC

    $29,500
    Lansing, MI2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grants and Youth Service Zone Grant and Harris Wofford Award

    United Way of Genesee County

    $25,000
    Flint, MI2024

    Youth Genesee Serves Subgrants

    GenerationNation

    $22,500
    Charlotte, NC2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and Youth Service Zone Grant

    My Sister s Keeper

    $20,500
    Highland Park, MI2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and Youth Service Zone Grant

    Volunteer Center of South Jersey

    $19,500
    Sewell, NJ
    2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    Perry Local Schools

    $19,500
    Perry, OH2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    Engage Arkansas

    $19,500
    Little Rock, AR2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    Massachusetts Service Alliance

    $19,500
    Boston, MA2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    Volunteer Iowa

    $15,500
    Des Moines, IA2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant and Harris Wofford Award

    CAVALRY

    $14,000
    San Antonio, TX2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    United Way of the Plains

    $14,000
    Wichita, KS2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Young Women s Preparatory Network

    $14,000
    El Paso, TX2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Amazing Testimonies

    $14,000
    Gaston, SC2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Maryland Civic Education Coalition

    $13,000
    Baltimore, MD2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    The 5th Inc Youth Development Group

    $12,500
    Hollywood, FL2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    SWAT Foundation Inc

    $10,000
    Augusta, GA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Norte Vista High School

    $10,000
    Riverside, CA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Gamebred Youth & Families

    $10,000
    Miami, FL2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    United Way of the Dutchess-Orange

    $9,500
    Poughkeepsie, NY2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Green House International Church

    $9,500
    Houston, TX2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse

    $9,500
    Gary, IN2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Let s Thrive Baltimore

    $9,500
    Baltimore, MD2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Volunteer Center of Morgan County

    $9,500
    Decatur, AL2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    John Marshall High School

    $9,500
    Oklahoma City, OK2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Young Women of Promise

    $9,500
    Winterville, NC2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant and 50by250 Lead Organizer Grant

    Democracy Prep Public Schools

    $9,000
    New York, NY2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Indiana FCCLA

    $9,000
    Sunman, IN2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Louisiana 4-H Foundation

    $9,000
    Baton Rouge, LA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Minnesota FCCLA

    $9,000
    Roseville, MN2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Organized Youth

    $9,000
    Saugus, MA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Learn and Serve Tampa

    $9,000
    Tampa, FL2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Houston School District Foundation

    $9,000
    Houston, TX2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    S C R A P Gallery

    $9,000
    Cathedral City, CA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Blue Ridge

    $9,000
    Martinsville, VA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Anne Arundel County Public Schools

    $9,000
    Annapolis, MD2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Coahoma Community College

    $9,000
    Clarksdale, MS2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Manor High School

    $9,000
    Portsmouth, VA2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Cobb Collaborative

    $8,000
    Smyrna, GA2024

    50by250 Lead Organizer Grant and ServiceVote Fellows 2022 Grant

    The Red House Arts Center

    $7,000
    Syracuse, NY2024

    50by250 Lead Organizer Grant and Afterschool Grant

    University of Maryland

    $6,500
    College Park, MD2024

    Youth Service Zone Grant

    East Central High School

    $6,000
    Saint Leon, IN2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Big Walnut Middle School

    $6,000
    Sunbury, OH2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    After-School All-Stars Hawaii

    $6,000
    Honolulu, HI2024

    Afterschool Grant

    Detroit Public Schools District

    $6,000
    Detroit, MI2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    Montana FCCLA

    $6,000
    Bozeman, MT2024

    National Days of Service Lead Agency Grant

    All Other Grants

    $355,250
    Washington, DC2023

    All Other Grants

    United Way of Genesee County

    $25,000
    Flint, MI2023

    Youth Genesee Serves Grants

    Girard College

    $15,000
    Philadelphia, PA2023

    Youth Service Zone Grants

    Kaho omiki

    $10,000
    Honolulu, HI2023

    Youth Service Zone Grants