UU Youth and Young Adult Ministry Grants Start or Support Programming

The UUA’s Lifespan Faith Engagement team offers funds to further the missional work of UU youth, emerging adult, and young adult ministries across our association.

Who Can Apply

UU congregations, communities, or individuals who have groups, projects, or events that center the spiritual needs of UU youth, emerging adults, and/or young adults.

Types of Grants

You can apply for one Seed Grant OR one Project Grant per fiscal year.

Seed Money Grant

You can request $500 to support a UU youth (ages 14-18), emerging adult (18-24), or young adult (18-35) group to get started or gain momentum.

Project Grant

You can request up to $3,000 to support a UU youth, emerging adult, or young adult group with funding for a specific project or event. Priority is given to new groups/projects.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated using these criteria:

Seed Money Grants AND Project Grants

How well the group or project meets the:

  1. UUA Mission: “Advances UU values in the world”
  2. UUA Lifespan Faith Engagement mission: “Safe, affirming, and accountable faith and identity development”
  3. Widening the Circle of Concern recommendations:
    1. “Serves those who most need to connect around identity”
    2. “Responsive to current challenges youth and emerging adults face today”

Project Grants ONLY

The degree to which the project:

  1. Impacts youth and/or young adults and/or another age group
  2. Includes a justice education component and/or support for societally marginalized cohort
  3. Has applicants, leaders, and/or decision makers centering young people, especially those from marginalized groups
  4. Provides for specific leadership development or support of young people from marginalized groups
  5. Includes a detailed budget for an amount commensurate with the project’s scope, a backup plan, and/or an accountability partner
  6. Has a relationship and/or financial partnership with a UU and/or community organization

Application Link & Due Date

Apply via this Wufoo Form.

The following is the granting cycle for UUA Fiscal Year 2027:

  • June 1 — August 15, 2026: Application period for FY27 project and seed grants

  • September 1, 2026: Notifications sent and funds distributed

Calculator Apply for a UU Youth and Young Adult Ministry Grant