$765K Grants Fund Free, Low-Cost Youth Sports, Arts, Academic Programs

NEW HAVEN, CT —Mayor Justin Elicker and New Haven Youth and Recreation Department Director Gwendolyn B. Williams announced $765,000 in new grants to support the expansion of free and low-cost sports, prosocial, and extracurricular programs offered to New Haven youth and families.

Through an RFP process, 24 New Haven nonprofits serving nearly 3,800 New Haven school-aged youth were selected to receive two-year grants ranging from $5,000 to $45,000 per year.

The American Rescue Plan funds will be used for such needs as purchasing new equipment, uniforms, and supplies as well as supporting expanded operations, additional enrollment, and student scholarships to provide free and low-cost programs across a diverse range of interest areas, including the arts, dance, music, robotics, academic enrichment, career training, martial arts, and a variety of sports.

The announcement is the latest in the City of New Haven’s ongoing efforts to provide positive, fun, safe, high-quality activities and programs for Elm City children, youth, and families.