2012 Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program Application Available-StepUp

September 13, 2011

The Tulare County Youth Commission is accepting applications for the 2012 Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program. The grant program provides $100,000 in grants for 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations that operate within Tulare County. Please visit http://stepuptc.com/youth-commission/youth-commission-agendas/ to download all Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program documents.

The Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for non-profit organizations that provide programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for at-risk youth. Preference is given to programs working with youth that are in a gang or are exposed to the gang culture in an underserved area, new start up programs or programs that leverage other funds.

"The Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program is having a positive impact for those organizations that receive funding,” said Mike Ennis, Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “The Board is committed to providing positive activities for youth and this program is one way we can fulfill that mission.”

The Step Up Youth Activities Grant program allocates $100,000 for grants to Tulare County non-profit organizations. There is $20,000 in funding available for each Supervisorial district; grants will be awarded in amounts ranging between $2,000 and $10,000.

Eleven Tulare County non profit organizations received $100,000 in funding in 2010, the third year of the program. Funding was provided last year for organizations that mentored at-risk youth, provided tutoring services, and created after school sports leagues, among others.

"I’m happy that we are able to continue to fund these programs that connect youth to mentors and after school programming,” said Phil Cox, District Three representative on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

The Tulare County Youth Commission will review the submitted grant applications and recommend to the Board of Supervisors which organizations should receive funding and at what level. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors will make the final funding decision.

Before making its recommendation, the Tulare County Youth Commission will host a mandatory grant workshop for all applicants on Thursday, September 22, 2011. The Youth Commission will vote on the funding recommendations on Monday, November 14, 2011. The final grant awards will be made on December 6, 2011 by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

Applications can be obtained by visiting www.stepuptc.com, by phoning (559) 624-8074 or at the HHSA office located at 5957 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia, CA 93277. The deadline to submit an application for a grant is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2011. Late applications will not be considered for funding. For more information, please contact Youth Commission coordintator Jacob Jimenez at (559) 624-8074 or jojimene@tularecounty.ca.gov.