The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) has issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Youth Pathways to the Financial Industry Grant. This funding opportunity is offered through the Office of Youth Programs as part of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP), a locally funded initiative designed to provide enriching, constructive summer work experiences to District youth aged 14 to 24 through placements in both private and government sectors.

The specific focus of this grant is to support programs that provide structured exposure and instruction to youth ages 16 to 18 who are interested in pursuing careers in finance. The funded program will run for six weeks and include a range of integrated components such as a college tour, intensive professional development, classroom instruction, and hands-on internships in the financial industry. The goal is to foster early interest and skill development in the financial sector among District youth participating in MBSYEP.

Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations that are qualified to do business with the District government. This includes community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, public, charter, or alternative secondary schools, and post-secondary institutions. Applicants must demonstrate experience in serving youth populations and in delivering structured educational or vocational programs aligned with the goals of the initiative.

A total of up to $150,000 is available for this grant, and DOES intends to award at least one grant. The number of awards and final award amounts will be determined based on the quality of submissions and available funding. Grant funds are 100% locally sourced from the District of Columbia. The grant period will begin upon the date of the award notification and run through September 30, 2025, with up to four optional renewal years contingent upon future funding availability.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a virtual pre-application conference scheduled for April 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. To receive an invitation link, applicants should email OGAgrants@dc.gov. The final deadline for submitting completed applications is April 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For additional information, applicants can contact Demetries M. Saunders at the Department of Employment Services, Office of Grant Administration and Resource Allocation, via email at OGAgrants@dc.gov.