The city of Aurora’s Youth Services Division has launched a one-time grant opportunity for local non-profits and specific taxing bodies to enhance existing after-school programs and youth initiatives across Aurora, city officials said.
The Youth Programs Enhancement Grant will provide $206,000 in total, including $166,000 for after-school programming, equipment purchase grants and programming scholarships, along with $40,000 for portable soccer fields, in an effort to help youth programs across Aurora, according to a press release from the city.
Individual organizations may receive up to $20,000 to enhance youth engagement and existing programming, not fund new programs, officials said.
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Established non-profits that have continuously provided services in Aurora are encouraged to apply for the after-school programming, equipment purchase or programming scholarship portion of the grant, according to the release. Taxing bodies, such as libraries, park districts and local townships, can apply if they provide direct youth programming themselves, officials said.
Aurora-based school and park districts can only apply for the portable soccer field portion of the grant, and must submit a formal letter of intent to be considered, the release said.
Both after-school programming and equipment purchase portions of the grant must serve a group that consists of at least 51% Aurora residents, according to officials. Programming scholarships will be awarded based on need. The portable soccer fields must be used for Aurora residents or on Aurora-based properties, the release said.
The grant is funded entirely by donations collected during the city’s annual Festival of Lights celebration at Phillips Park from 2021 to 2025. The grant will not be available in future years – it is a one-time opportunity, officials stressed.
The city’s Youth Services Division will be hosting a virtual applicant workshop from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to the release. The division will also offer dedicated office hours to accept calls and answer questions regarding the grant. On Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., interested organizations can call 630-256-3416 with questions, and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, organizations can call 630-256-3402, officials said.
The grant’s application period runs through Aug. 31. All applications and supporting documentation should be emailed to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Aug. 31, according to the release.
Staff will review applications and prepare recommendations on awards during the month of September and is set to come before Aurora’s City Council in October to seek approval for finalized grant agreements, officials said.
For more information on the Youth Programs Enhancement Grant, go to www.aurora.il.us/EnhancementGrant.