Public Funding for Mentoring Programs
Public Funding for Mentoring Programs
Currently, the U.S. Congress funds a single youth mentoring-specific grant program. This program, the “Youth Mentoring Grant,” is housed at the U.S. Department of Justice and managed by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It provides funds ($107 million in FY23) for mentoring organizations to support and expand quality mentoring efforts serving youth facing risk. Over the years, the Youth Mentoring Grant and National Mentoring Resource Center have supported thousands of mentoring programs in every region of the country.
Rep. James Langevin on the Youth Mentoring Grant
Tracking and Accessing Public Funding for Mentoring
MENTOR is working diligently to increase available resources for youth mentoring at the federal level, including strengthening the Youth Mentoring Grant and expanding resources at other agencies. Check out this guide for information on how mentoring organizations can access federal funding, and stay on top of funding opportunities by subscribing to advocacy updates from MENTOR.
Congressional Communications
MENTOR and Youth Mentoring Coalition Letters to the Federal Government
- Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY25 +
- TANF Regulatory Comments +
- Letter of Support: Foster Youth Mentoring Act +
- Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY24 +
- Updated Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY23 +
- Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY23 +
- Testimony in Support of the Youth Mentoring Program, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies +
- Testimony in Support of the Youth Mentoring Program, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies +
- Testimony in Support of Youth Development Programs, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education +
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers Nonregulatory Guidance Draft Response +
Congressional Dear Colleague Letters
- House Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY24 +
- Senate Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY24 +
- House Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY23 +
- Senate Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY23 +
- House letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY22 +
- Senate Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY22 +
Partner-led Letters of Support
- Letter Opposing a Government Shutdown +
- Charitable Nonprofit Letter in Support of Averting a Government Shutdown +
- Child Trauma and ACEs Policy (CTAP) Working Group Letter in Support of SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act +
- Letter in Support of Full Inclusion for Transgender and LGBTQI+ Youth +
- Letter in Support of the Youth Workforce Readiness Act +
- FY24 Full Service Community Schools Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 Volunteer Generation Fund Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 Non-Defense Discretionary Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 Title IV-A Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 School-Based Mental Health Services Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY24 Child Trauma and ACEs Policy Appropriations Request Letter +
- Letter to Sec. Becerra: Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council +
Archived Letters
- Testimony in Support of the Youth Mentoring Program in FY23, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies +
- FY23 Title IV-A Updated Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY23 Full Service Community Schools Updated Appropriations Request Letter +
- Letter to Oppose the No Kids in Cuffs Resolution in Congress +
- Letter to Congressional Leadership: Emergency Connectivity Fund +
- FY23 Full Service Community Schools Appropriations Letter +
- FY23 21st Century Community Learning Centers Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY23 Title IV-A Appropriations Request Letter +
- FY23 Child Trauma Appropriations Request Letter +
- Regulatory Comments on Project Prevent Grant Program +
- Letter to President Biden and Congressional Leadership: Pandemic and Workforce Shortage Relief for Charitable Nonprofits +
- Testimony in Support of the Hearing on Serving All Students: Promoting a Healthier, More Supportive School Environment, House Committee on Education and Workforce +
- House Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY22 +
- Senate Letter of Support for OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY22 +
- House Letter of Support for the OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY21 +
- Senate Letter of Support OJJDP Youth Mentoring Grant in FY21 +