The 2026-2027 USY Chapter Grants are here. Please read the information carefully to see the updates and changes from last year. The goal of our grants program is to help expand and enhance the USY teen and youth engagement that you are able to do locally at your chapter and in partnership with other chapters.
Here are some important bullet points to keep in mind regarding Grants:
- All grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis this year. Please note that grant funding is limited and if or when we run out of funding for the year we will have to close all grant applications.
- We ask that you submit your application for STEP and LEAP Grants a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the event date and for the HOST Grants a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the event date. We will then try to respond within two weeks of receiving your completed grant application.
- Grants will not be given for programs running on the following dates and for overnight programs the week before and after: Aug. 28-30, 2026 Jan. 15-18, 2027
- Each chapter can only receive one of each type of grant
- Additional questions: email [email protected]
Three ways to grow your chapter
STEP (Synagogue Teen Enhanced Programming) grants:
These are microgrants in the amount of $180 intended to enhance already existing programming that you are doing for teens or youth at your synagogue. These grants are intended to be a simple go to source for that little something extra that can top off a program and make it special. We have made the grant application for this grant very short and easy with the intention to be able to help support as many different synagogues in the already existing programming that exists.
Grant Amount:
Microgrants of $180
Purpose:
Intended to enhance already existing programming that you are doing for teens or youth at your synagogue.
Application Process:
- Simple go to source for that little something extra that can top off a program and make it special.
- Grant application for this grant is very short and easy (two questions) with the intention to be able to help support as many different synagogues in the already existing programming that exists.
- Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
- Please allow around two weeks for review after we receive a completed grant application
LEAP and LEAP Plus (Local Engagement and Partnership) grants:
LEAP grants can be awarded in amounts of up to $2500 and are intended to help you increase engagement in one of three ways; support a one time innovative program, support an ongoing innovative program initiative, or help provide staff support. For these grants we are looking for new and innovative ideas as well as new potential. These are also great opportunities to partner together with other synagogues or chapters in the area to really gain a full impact. LEAP PLUS grants are intended to support a one time innovative program that your chapter will be inviting other chapters to attend.
Grant Amount:
Up to $2,500
Eligible Categories:
- LEAP grants can be awarded in amounts of up to $2,500 and are intended to help you increase engagement in one of three ways;
- Support a one time innovative program
- Support an ongoing innovative program initiative
- Help provide staff support
- Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
- For these grants we are looking for new and innovative ideas as well as new potential.
- LEAP PLUS Grants are great opportunities to invite other synagogues or chapters to really gain a full impact.
Requirements:
- Post-event evaluation
- Submission of participant list and other data reporting
Limitations:
- Each chapter is eligible for only one LEAP grant per year.
HOST (Hosting of Synagogue Teens) grants:
These are the grants to support multi chapter synagogue hosted overnight events. These grants will be available in three different categories with growing amounts of money available based on the length of the event. These grants are intended to have multiple synagogues or chapters come together for overnight events.
Grant Categories & Amounts:
- Grants are available to support multi chapter synagogue hosted overnight events
- Grants are available in three different categories
- Host – Lock-in: Can receive $500 in funding
- Host – One night + one day (24 hour): Can receive $750 plus an additional $25/teen
- Host – Two or more nights: Can receive $1500 plus an additional $25/teen.
- Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
- Please allow around two weeks for review after we receive a completed grant application (please allow plenty of additional time after this to advertise your event)
Requirements:
- Registration through Regpacks for 1-night and 2-night events
- Signed hosting agreement
- Chapter-provided consent form
- Submission of a participant list (if not already included through Regpacks)
- Please note: grants will not be given for programs running on the following dates:
For questions or more information, please reach out to [email protected]