Active grants, application templates, and funding strategies to help your chapter secure the resources needed to serve your community.
Supporting grassroots mental health nonprofits in underserved communities
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds community-based organizations that address juvenile delinquency through prevention programs. AMB chapters are strong candidates due to the documented crime-reduction outcomes of the Midnight Basketball League Program™ model.
HUD's CDBG program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Midnight Basketball League Program™ chapters can access these funds through local government partnerships for facility upgrades, program expansion, and youth services.
The Second Chance Act supports reentry programs that reduce recidivism. AMB's employment and education components directly address the needs of formerly incarcerated youth and young adults re-entering communities — making chapters strong candidates for this funding stream.
Many local and national corporations have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets that support youth development, crime prevention, and community empowerment. AMB chapters can approach local businesses with a structured sponsorship proposal using the AMB deck.
AMB National maintains a Chapter Development Fund for licensed chapters in good standing that need startup or operational support. Eligible uses include equipment, facility deposits, staff training, and program launch costs. Applications reviewed quarterly.
The CDC's violence prevention initiatives and SAMHSA's mental health block grants both fund community-based organizations addressing youth violence, trauma, and mental health. The Midnight Basketball League Program™ — AMB's comprehensive crime prevention initiative — and its Health Component (which includes the SCARED STIFF partner curriculum) make chapters directly eligible.
CDC's top-priority funding for evidence-based community violence intervention programs. AMB's Midnight Basketball League Program™ is a textbook CVI model — late-night, high-risk settings, wrap-around services, crime reduction data. Rated #1 Best Fit across all 13 identified grants.
CDC's STRYVE initiative funds community-level strategies to prevent youth violence before it starts. AMB chapters running the Midnight Basketball League Program™ with wraparound health services are ideal STRYVE awardees.
CDC's OD2A initiative funds organizations that address substance use and overdose prevention. AMB's mental health component (SCARED STIFF partnership) and youth outreach infrastructure make chapters strong applicants, especially in high-overdose-rate communities.
CDC REACH funds programs that reduce health disparities in racial and ethnic communities. AMB's work in predominantly Black communities — combining sports, job training, mental health, and civic engagement — aligns directly with REACH's equity mandate.
DOJ's Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is the largest federal criminal justice grant program, funding crime prevention, education, and diversion programs. AMB chapters applying via state or local agencies can secure direct funding for Midnight Basketball League Program™ operations.
OJJDP Title II formula grants fund state and local delinquency prevention and intervention. AMB chapters demonstrate strong measurable impact on juvenile crime through the Midnight Basketball League Program™ model — documented police partnership data is essential here.
DOJ's GRYD program funds comprehensive gang prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies. AMB's structured late-night basketball format directly competes with gang recruitment by providing positive community presence and employment pathways for highest-risk youth.
HUD's Choice Neighborhoods program transforms distressed neighborhoods. AMB chapters embedded in public housing communities can be subgrantees within larger Choice Neighborhoods implementation plans — adding youth development and crime prevention components to housing redevelopment grants.
The Kresge Foundation funds established nonprofits seeking to scale proven models. At 40 years old with 16+ chapters, AMB National is an ideal candidate for their Human Services & Community Development program. Multi-year general operating support for infrastructure, staff, and expansion. Rated #1 Capacity Building Priority for National HQ.
VISTA places full-time federal AmeriCorps members at nonprofits to build capacity — grant writing, data systems, volunteer programs, partnerships. The government pays their living allowance (~$20K/year per member). AMB could receive 3–10 members, effectively adding free professional staff to National HQ.
RWJF funds organizations at the intersection of public health, criminal justice, and economic opportunity. AMB's Midnight Basketball + SCARED STIFF + Broken Crayons model sits exactly here. Their Building Healthy Communities initiative funds infrastructure and capacity for organizations delivering health equity outcomes at scale.
Kellogg funds racial equity and economic opportunity in Black and Indigenous communities nationally. Known for multi-year general operating grants to organizations with national reach. AMB's expansion into southern cities (Tuskegee, Huntsville) and 40-year track record is highly compelling for their Thriving Children & Families program.
AECF funds organizations with sustained impact on youth economic mobility. AMB's job placement and GED outcomes are prime evidence for their Race for Results framework. They prefer multi-year partnerships with established national organizations — AMB's 40-year history and multi-city reach is a strong match.
The Nonprofit Finance Fund and U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund provide capacity grants and low-interest capital for nonprofits serving low-income communities. As AMB scales nationally, building operating reserves, improving grant administration, and upgrading financial systems are critical. NFF specifically funds financial health for high-impact nonprofits.
HUD YHDP funds communities to end youth homelessness through coordinated systems. AMB chapters serving high-risk youth aged 18–24 can integrate housing navigation, employment, and GED services into local CoC (Continuum of Care) partnerships — directly funded through YHDP allocations.
Ready-to-customize templates for your chapter's grant applications
A complete grant narrative template covering all standard sections: organizational overview, needs statement, program description, evaluation plan, budget justification, and sustainability. Customized with AMB data and statistics.
Pre-filled application template for the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Local Grant Program. Covers mental health programming narrative, organizational capacity section, and budget template aligned with the 2025 grant requirements.
Official application for the AMB Chapter Development Fund. Includes all required sections: chapter profile, current operating budget, funding need description, board authorization letter, and sustainability plan.
Best practices for successful grant applications
Always open with local crime statistics and youth unemployment rates. AMB chapters that show specific numbers — not just "crime is high" — win more grants. Request data from your local police department and school district.
Reference AMB's 35+ year national history and documented outcomes in every application. Funders want evidence that the model works. Use the Fact Sheet statistics: 24 communities, 65,000 youth goal, crime reduction research.
Read each funder's mission carefully and mirror their language. For violence prevention funders, emphasize that the Midnight Basketball League Program™ is AMB's core crime prevention model. For mental health funders, highlight the Health Component (including SCARED STIFF partner curriculum) and counseling. For education funders, highlight GED and school re-enrollment. For employment funders, lead with job placement outcomes.
Letters of support from police departments, schools, churches, and city officials dramatically increase your chances. Start relationship-building 3–6 months before any application deadline. Use the Letter to Officials template in the Templates section.
Vague budgets kill grant applications. Use the AMB $300K budget framework as your baseline and adjust for local costs. Show you know exactly what the money will pay for — staffing, facility, equipment, programs, and admin.
Every funder asks: "What happens after our grant ends?" Show a diversified funding plan — government grants, corporate sponsors, individual donors, chapter dues, and events. Use the Budget Tools page to model multi-year sustainability.