The Bridging the Gap Grant 2025 is an annual funding opportunity administered by YouthBridge-NY, a leadership development program focused on empowering young people to become community leaders and change agents. Through the grant-making process, YouthBridge-NY fellows engage directly in reviewing proposals, understanding nonprofit needs, and allocating funding to organizations that address diversity-related issues within New York City.

The primary objective of the Bridging the Gap Grant is to support small-scale community projects addressing critical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues identified by YouthBridge-NY’s youth fellows. The fellows participate in social action committees, where they collaboratively select key areas of focus, develop a Request for Proposal (RFP), review incoming applications, and ultimately decide on the distribution of mini-grants. The maximum grant award for a single organization is $500, with a total funding pool of up to $1,500 available to be distributed across selected applicants.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations operating in New York City. Additionally, applicants must address at least one of the priority areas outlined by YouthBridge-NY, which focus on diversity-related community issues. The grant targets small, community-based organizations that are making a local impact and are aligned with the priorities set by the youth fellows.

The application process consists of filling out an online application form and submitting any supplemental materials via email. Applicants should be prepared to provide short response answers directly in the form, which cannot be saved mid-progress, meaning applications should be completed in one sitting. Supplemental attachments, such as organizational documents, program materials, or letters of support, must be emailed separately after the online application is submitted.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, meaning they are reviewed in the order they are received. However, all applications must be submitted before the final deadline of Friday, March 7, 2025. After the submission deadline, YouthBridge-NY fellows will review all applications and select awardees by June 2025. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the YouthBridge-NY team via email.

This opportunity is ideal for small grassroots organizations working to foster inclusion and equity within New York City’s diverse communities. By engaging youth directly in the grant review process, YouthBridge-NY seeks to foster deeper understanding of philanthropy while supporting impactful local initiatives that align with their mission.