Education & Youth Development Grants

FOCUS

Education and Youth Development Grants support programs that enhance the overall well-being of Watertown’s youth—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Grants seek to fund initiatives and create access to opportunities that foster skill-building, creativity, leadership, confidence, and resilience, while creating pathways for all young people to thrive.

APPLY MARCH 2-23, 2026

    • Academic Support & Enrichment  

    • Social-Emotional Learning & Mental Health  

    • Arts, Culture, and Creative Expression  

    • Physical Health & Wellness   

    • Career Exploration & Skill Building  

    • Intern stipends for existing Internships Programs   

    • Civic Engagement & Leadership 

WHO CAN APPLY

1. Eligible Organizations must be one of the following: 

  • A public entity. 

  • A non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. 

  • An organization that is sponsored by a Watertown-based 501(c)(3) organization. 

Eligible applicants must be based in Watertown and serving the city's residents.  

If not based in Watertown, applicants are eligible if they demonstrate: 

  • a partnership/collaboration with a Watertown nonprofit

    AND 

  • funds will primarily serve Watertown residents, and can detail the number of Watertown residents to be served/reached. 

2. Eligible Programming must meet the following criteria:   

Populations Served: 

  • Watertown youth age 0-18

    AND/OR 

  • Watertown transition-age students (18-22 years) with documented intellectual and/or developmental disability. 

Eligible programming must occur either: 

  • Outside of the K-12 school day (i.e. afterschool, weekends, during the day at non-school based organizations/programs). 

    OR 

  • Occur during the school day as part of a Watertown Public Schools (WPS) District-wide initiative that serves ALL students in one or more grade level(s) across the district.  

Additional Requirements   

  • Funding will only be considered for standalone programs or initiatives that are not part of general operations with a defined completion date.  

3. Funding Levels   

  • Grant applications requesting $500 - $2,500 will be considered.

  • WPS District-wide initiatives will be considered up to $5,000.

4. Ineligible programming/costs    

  • Professional Development for teachers, staff, clinicians, etc. 

  • Travel costs (bussing, hotels/rooming). 

  • General operating costs unrelated to the scope of the project. 

  • Political, lobbying or advocacy related activities. 

  • Capital campaigns or construction costs.  

LEARN ABOUT OUR OTHER GRANTS:

Essential Needs Community Engagement Education & Youth Development

2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS
2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS
2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS