A practical guide to grants for youth mentoring programs, federal DOJ funding, foundations, corporate funders, and evidence-based mentoring requirements.
Youth mentoring is funded primarily through DOJ OJJDP’s Mentoring Opportunities for Youth program plus a substantial foundation and corporate ecosystem.
TL;DR
- Who funds mentoring? DOJ OJJDP Mentoring Opportunities for Youth, ACF, DOL (youth workforce), foundations, corporates.
- Who can apply? Mentoring nonprofits, community-based organizations, school partnerships, faith-based organizations.
- What gets funded? One-to-one mentoring, group mentoring, site-based mentoring, special populations (justice-involved, foster youth).
Federal Funding
DOJ OJJDP Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative. Annual flagship competition.
ACF Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs and other youth programs.
DOL youth workforce programs with mentoring components.
State Funding
State juvenile justice and youth services agencies often re-grant federal funding plus state appropriations.
Foundation Funders
- MENTOR National (intermediary).
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (program model).
- Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
- Carmax Foundation.
- Local community foundations.
- Corporate foundations with employee volunteer ties.
What Gets Funded
- One-to-one mentoring.
- Group mentoring.
- Site-based and e-mentoring.
- Mentoring for special populations:
- Justice-involved youth (see grants for criminal justice reform).
- Foster youth.
- Children of incarcerated parents.
- Youth with disabilities.
- Mentor training and screening.
- Mentoring infrastructure (intermediary support).
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Use evidence-based mentoring practices (cite the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring).
- Document mentor recruitment, training, screening, and matching processes.
- Show measurable outcomes beyond match volume.
- Address equity.
- Plan for sustainability.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces mentoring funding across DOJ, ACF, DOL, foundations, and corporates, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- DOJ Grants: A Guide to Department of Justice Funding
- Grants for After-School Programs
- Top 10 High School Grants Worth Applying for in 2025
Further Reading
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.