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Request for Proposals
Positive Youth Development Seed Grant
The Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC), part of VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, is pleased to offer seed funding to support community-driven programs that advance positive youth development.
Located on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, MFYC fosters innovative, sports-based and life skills programming that strengthens youth development, expands access to higher education opportunities, and empowers adults to support youth success.
The Positive Youth Development Seed Grant supports collaborative projects that integrate the Youth Center in meaningful ways and demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability beyond one year.
Funding Overview
- Award amount: Up to 10 grants of $2,000 each
- Grant period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
- Request for proposals now closed
Focus Areas
Proposals should support positive youth development and/or youth educator training, including:
- Empowering youth to broaden expectations and discover their talents
- Strengthening life skills through sports and healthy lifestyles
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Fostering best practices in youth development
- Providing professional development for youth educators
Types of Programs We Encourage
Examples of programs that meaningfully integrate the Youth Center include:
- Youth workshops or classes (arts, STEM, coding, science, etc.)
- Community service projects with youth and partners
- Sports-based programming promoting teamwork and wellness
- Mentorship programs connecting youth with community and VCU mentors
- Technology and STEM initiatives
- Youth educator professional development and advanced certification support
- Family engagement programs
Request for Proposals now closed. Grant Recipients will be announced in May 2026
Questions?
Misti Mueller
Executive Director, Mary and Frances Youth Center
muellermr@vcu.edu
View our Past Recipient Projects
Dre’mon Miller | Street Smartz Boy: The Future Leaders Initiative
Project Description: The Future Leaders Initiative empowers young men to grow into confident, responsible leaders by providing mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a supportive community. Through the return of Street Smartz Boyz alumni as peer mentors, the program fosters a cycle of growth, service, and brotherhood that strengthens both individuals and the broader community.
streetsmartzoversafety@gmail.com
Selam Hailu | AI Agents for Real-World
Project Description: The AI Agents for Real-World Impact program introduces youth and youth educators to artificial intelligence through hands-on, community-focused learning experiences. In partnership with the Mary and Frances Youth Center, the program builds STEM and data literacy, empowers youth to create AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges, and strengthens educator capacity to integrate AI into youth development programming.
selam@lovethehumanconnection.com
Veronica Reid | Juntos Florecemos
Project Description: Juntos Florecemos / Together We Bloom is a culturally rooted program that brings immigrant families together to celebrate identity, foster emotional wellness, and strengthen family bonds through art, creativity, and connection. In alignment with the Mary and Frances Youth Center’s mission, the program removes barriers to access and builds trust between families, communities, and institutions, creating joyful, inclusive spaces where youth and families can thrive together.
Montana Reid | Potential to Purpose
Project Description: The Potential to Purpose Program empowers Richmond-area youth to explore their strengths, build leadership skills, and connect with career and entrepreneurial opportunities through interactive workshops and mentorship. In partnership with the Mary and Frances Youth Center, the program fosters personal growth, family engagement, and community support, aligning with MFYC’s mission to motivate and guide youth in leadership, life skills, and long-term development.
leodamoneincorporated@gmail.com
Tasha Moore | Difficult Conversations
Project Description: Difficult Conversations–Youth Voices is a three-part interactive workshop series designed to equip youth and young adults with skills in decision-making, relationships, professional development, and life planning. Aligned with the Mary and Frances Youth Center’s mission, the program fosters critical thinking, leadership, and personal growth to prepare participants for long-term success in academic and professional environments.
William Brown | DFE Elite Youth Program
Project Description: DFE Elite is a comprehensive youth basketball program committed to athletic excellence, academic achievement, and personal growth. In alignment with the Mary and Frances Youth Center, the program uses basketball as a platform to develop life skills, foster character, and build strong community connections—preparing young people for success on and off the court.
Christina Tillery | She Reads, She Leads
Project Description: She Reads, She Leads is a yearlong book club program for teen girls that uses guided discussions, journaling, and BiblioCounseling strategies to explore themes of identity, mental health, and relationships. Hosted at the Mary and Frances Youth Center, the program fosters personal growth, literacy, and self-expression, culminating in a Family Engagement Showcase that celebrates each participant’s journey and strengthens family connections.
Jenice Lee | Podcasting for Innovation
Project Description: The Podcasting for Innovation Program introduces youth to audio production and digital storytelling, building STEM and digital literacy skills through hands-on learning. Aligned with the Mary and Frances Youth Center’s mission, the program fosters creativity, communication, and real-world problem-solving while inspiring students to explore media, technology, and STEM career pathways.
Mollie Reinhart | Befriend’s Kindness Lab
Project Description: The Befriend Kindness Lab offers a series of themed workshops for youth and families focused on promoting kindness through creative activities like painting positive messages on flowers and rocks, and nature walks. By engaging both youth and their families, the program fosters a shared understanding of kindness and supports the development of more compassionate, connected households.
Alycia Wright | Active Homeschoolers
Project Description: The Homeschool Wellness Initiative provides homeschooled high school students—particularly those from historically underserved communities—with structured opportunities in physical education, mindfulness, and nutrition education. Aligned with the Mary and Frances Youth Center’s mission, this program fosters holistic well-being, lifelong healthy habits, and a sense of community through weekly sessions focused on fitness, emotional wellness, and real-world health education on VCU’s campus.