The City of Knoxville is accepting applications from local nonprofit and community groups for grant funding to expand their summer programs and employment opportunities to include young people ages 12-21 who are at high risk of violent crime. 

“Funds from this new Opportunity Youth grant program will supplement existing programs to reach and support youth who may not otherwise be interested or able to participate,” says Kathy Mack, Community Engagement Manager in the City’s Office of Community Empowerment. “Our community values young people and is working to find ways to reconnect them to education and career opportunities that are proven to reduce their risks for becoming involved in violence. These funds are meant to extend the reach of programs to young people who are most at risk.” 

The pilot grant program targets young people who aren’t in school or in the job force who are at high risk of becoming a victim of (or perpetrating) violent crime due to one or more factors: association with or membership in a gang; involvement with the justice system; being a victim of a crime; and/or having a close friend or family member who was shot in the last year. 

Grant recipients may receive amounts ranging between $3,000 - $20,000, which must be spent between June and September 2021 on qualifying Opportunity Youth expenses including: stipends or wages; materials, supplies or fees; and/or supportive services like transportation, uniforms or specialized training. 

This is a competitive process. Some applications may not be funded, and some may be only partially funded. Applicants must have tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status or a qualifying fiscal sponsor. 

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021, via email to Kathy Mack at [email protected], or in person or by mail at: City County Building, Suite 532M, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.

Recipients of grant funding will be informed in June 2021. 

Learn more and download guidelines and application documents here.