The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is offering the FY2026 Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program (HSYJ) to support youth summer employment opportunities that promote positive public health outcomes across Massachusetts communities. This initiative is designed to fund positions that not only provide meaningful work experiences for young people but also contribute to healthier communities through public health programming.

Grants awarded under the HSYJ program must support youth jobs that are coupled with structured professional development opportunities. These can include career readiness training, financial literacy education, or professional certifications. Applicants are expected to propose programs that meet both employment and educational goals for participating youth.

Examples of eligible program areas include mental health awareness, peer support, food security and nutrition initiatives, environmental health efforts addressing pollution and climate change, substance use and vaping prevention, violence prevention through restorative justice, and health literacy education. Physical activity and wellness programs are also eligible, provided they align with public health outcomes.

Entities eligible to apply include nonprofit organizations located in Massachusetts, local government entities, and state government agencies. Nonprofit applicants must be public charities in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws and IRS reporting standards. As of September 2023, all nonprofit registration and filings must be submitted through the Charity Portal. The AGO may give preference to nonprofit applicants with operating budgets under $10 million, though this is at its sole discretion. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the AGO’s online Grant Applications Portal by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 18, 2025. Late applications or submissions in other formats will not be accepted. New applicants must create an online account, while returning applicants can log in to their existing profile. Applicants who do not receive a confirmation email within 48 business hours of submission should contact the AGO Grants Team at AGOgrants@mass.gov. For technical issues with the portal, applicants are encouraged to seek assistance in advance of the deadline.

An informational webinar will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:00 AM. It will be recorded and posted on the grant webpage for later access. Applicants are responsible for checking the grant page regularly for updates, corrections, or changes to the RFP. All submitted application materials are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

For additional assistance, applicants may contact the AGO Grants Team at AGOgrants@mass.gov or by phone at (617) 963-2797.