To align with the start of the academic year, and target additional youth in the region, the City is reopening the YCAF application process. The City plans to fund an additional 5-10 projects, with individual project budgets ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The program objectives and eligibility requirements have not changed and applications that fulfil the criteria below will be considered. However, the City is most interested in funding projects that align with the identified priority topics, challenges and guiding questions.
- Health & Safety
- Could a demonstration event/project help educate residents about the impact of climate change on health and safety?
- Hands-on low-cost air filter workshop
- Are there creative solutions to help residents feel more comfortable crossing intersections as they walk or ride?
- Can you measure and educate the impact of gas vs. electricity use on indoor air quality?
- Transportation
- Improving biking, walking, public transportation, etc.
- What barriers keep residents from opting to walk, bike, or ride public transportation? Would experiential education (like a guided bus tour or video about using the LANTA system) help?
- What solutions may encourage residents to explore lower-emitting transportation choices, like EVs, bikes, e-bikes, etc.
- Buildings and Energy
- What low-cost solutions can be developed to reduce energy use in homes, schools, businesses, etc.?
- Can these solutions be piloted with this funding? (weatherization, green/cooling roofs?
- Are they easier to deploy renewable energy demonstrations that may help residents experience the technology?
- Creative use of visualization and art to demonstrate climate impacts & action
- Maps, short-form videos, graphics, art installations
The projects are expected to be proposed, designed, and led by young people aged 15-24 and focus on youth leadership and action. Eligible recipients of funds include youth-led organizations such as clubs, youth serving organizations, or sponsor organizations such as schools, city agencies, or community organizations.
Identifying these topics and posing guiding questions may help applicants meet the tight timeline for submittal. Additionally, applicants can access technical assistance from the Nurture Nature Center. This assistance could include project scoping, refining project ideas, etc. Please address any requests for technical assistance to Vincent.Polignano@allentownpa.gov.
An overview of past projects that this city has funded is provided in this story map. Eligible applicants can register for a live event on either August 15th or August 19th where youth and organizations can pitch their ideas for a project to a panel of live judges and receive real-time feedback.
Applications are due no later than October 23, 2026. Award decisions are expected within 2-3 weeks of the application deadline. Please note, all project must be completed by April 15, 2027.
If you and your organization are wish to applyinterested, please submit a 5–10-minute video presentation (or sharable link), and associated slide presentation, by emailing Vincent.Polignano@alletownpa.gov with the subject line: YCAF Last Chance Application.
Please refer to the Resources header below for a budget template, and the 2026 Allentown YCAF Guidelines for eligibility information, evaluation criteria, and other important information.