FY25 OJJDP Mentoring Grants: Expanding Opportunities for At-Risk Youth

Mentoring can transform the lives of young people, yet many at-risk and high-risk youth still lack access to quality guidance and support. Recognizing this critical need, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), has announced the FY25 National Mentoring Programs funding opportunity (Opportunity ID: O-OJJDP-2025-172464). With $44 million available, these mentoring grants aim to expand programs nationwide, helping youth stay on a positive path while reducing the risk of delinquency, victimization, and juvenile justice system involvement.

Scope and Goals of OJJDP Mentoring Programs

The OJJDP National Mentoring Programs are designed to provide comprehensive mentoring support for youth aged 17 and under. The program emphasizes not only individual mentoring relationships but also organizational capacity to operate at a national scale. By awarding mentoring grants to organizations with established infrastructure and reach, OJJDP ensures programs are delivered effectively across communities in the United States.

The focus is on high-quality, evidence-informed mentoring, meaning organizations must demonstrate a proven track record of success and the ability to manage affiliates or subawardees across multiple states. The goal is to provide consistent, measurable, and impactful mentoring experiences to as many youth as possible.

How to Apply for FY25 Mentoring Grants

The FY25 application process is a two-step federal submission, designed to streamline the process while ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant.

Step 1: Submit SF-424 via Grants.gov

Deadline: October 27, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

Grants.gov Link

This initial submission collects basic organizational and project information and establishes eligibility for full consideration.

Step 2: Submit Full Application in JustGrants

Includes the project proposal, detailed budget, and narrative.

Deadline: November 3, 2025, 8:59 PM ET

JustGrants Portal

Important : Applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration before submission. Completing this step early ensures there are no delays in eligibility verification.

Past Recipients and What Sets Them Apart

Understanding the profile of previous recipients provides valuable insight into what OJJDP looks for in successful applicants. Over the years, funding has typically gone to large, national organizations with a proven track record in youth mentoring. Some of the most notable recipients include:

1. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA)

BBBSA has been a longstanding recipient of OJJDP funding because of its extensive national network. Their success comes from:

• A well-established model of one-to-one mentoring that has been rigorously evaluated for positive outcomes.
• Data-driven tracking of youth progress, including school performance, social development, and behavioral improvements.
• Clear policies and training programs for volunteers to ensure mentor quality across all affiliates.

2. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

BGCA has received OJJDP funding repeatedly due to its nationwide presence and youth engagement expertise. They excel in:

• Offering structured mentoring programs alongside after-school and summer initiatives.
• Demonstrating scalable program delivery across affiliates.
• Using robust performance reporting to capture outcomes such as reduced delinquency, increased school attendance, and enhanced social skills.

3. National 4-H Council

The National 4-H Council earned OJJDP support by leveraging its youth development programs in communities across the country. Key factors include:

• Implementing programs emphasizing leadership, responsibility, and life skills.
• Maintaining a network of subawardees and local clubs capable of delivering consistent programs nationwide.
• Collecting and reporting impact data on youth participation, behavioral improvements, and program retention.

4. Communities In Schools (CIS)

CIS has historically received grants because of its unique integration with schools, helping identify at-risk youth and connect them with mentoring resources. Their funding success is attributed to:

• A well-documented service delivery model linking youth to mentors, academic support, and social services.
• Extensive affiliate network management for efficient fund distribution.
• Use of longitudinal data demonstrates outcomes such as improved attendance, reduced behavioral incidents, and increased graduation rates.

Key Lessons from Past Recipients

From these awardees, organizations can learn strategies to strengthen their applications for OJJDP mentoring grants:

• Demonstrate National Reach : Show a robust network of affiliates or partners across multiple states.
• Prove Program Quality : Include evidence-based mentoring models with clear mentor recruitment, training, and supervision protocols.
• Track and Report Outcomes : Use data to show measurable improvements in youth behavior, academic performance, and social skills.
• Show Administrative Capacity : Highlight systems for subaward management, compliance, and quality control.
• Emphasize Scalability : Explain how the program can grow while maintaining quality, ensuring funds reach as many youth as possible.

Eligibility Criteria

Not every organization is eligible to apply. To be considered for FY25 funding, organizations must:

• Be a national organization with active affiliates or subawardees in 45 or more states.
• Submit directly from headquarters; consortia cannot be used to meet the state count.
• Be capable of subawarding at least 90% of funds to affiliates in 38 or more states.
• Serve at-risk or high-risk youth aged 17 or below at the time of program entry.
• No cost match is required.

These requirements emphasize scale, capacity, and measurable impact, ensuring OJJDP funds reach organizations capable of nationwide program delivery.

Timeline and Award Notification

Understanding the timeline is critical for applicants to prepare a successful submission:

• Posting Date: September 18, 2025
• Grants.gov Deadline: October 27, 2025
• JustGrants Deadline: November 3, 2025
• Anticipated Start Date: October 1, 2025
• Period of Performance: 12–36 months
• Award Notification : After DOJ merit review, typically within the fiscal year following application close

Organizations should plan carefully to ensure all internal systems, staff, and data are ready for compliance and reporting.

Why GridPolaris is a Valuable Tool for Applicants

Successfully managing a national mentoring program requires strong oversight, data tracking, and compliance monitoring. GridPolaris provides a comprehensive platform that aligns directly with OJJDP requirements:

• Affiliate/Subaward Oversight Module : Centralized compliance tracking for affiliates in 38–45 states.
• Youth Case Tracking Ledger : Track intake, risk factors, mentoring model, match status, and service delivery.
• Documented Evidence Repository : Maintain audit-ready retention of mentor screening, training records, and site visit reports.
• Performance & Reporting Suite : Extract and report key metrics to OJJDP, including new and active matches, mentor training, and service delivery counts.

Using GridPolaris, organizations can demonstrate administrative capacity, program scale, and accountability—critical factors for successful mentoring grants.

Conclusion

The FY25 OJJDP National Mentoring Programs grant represents a significant opportunity for national nonprofits to expand their reach and impact for at-risk youth. By understanding eligibility requirements, submitting a complete and well-documented application, and leveraging tools like GridPolaris, organizations can maximize their chances of success.

With strategic planning and strong program oversight, these mentoring grants can help organizations deliver life-changing mentoring experiences, reduce youth delinquency, and foster positive outcomes for communities across the United States.