Oakland Department of Human Services - Oakland Fund for Children and Youth -

Oakland Fund for Children and Youth

The Oakland Fund for Children & Youth was established in 1996, when Oakland voters passed the Kids First! Initiative (Measure K). Measure K amended the City Charter, setting aside 2.5% of the unrestricted General Fund revenues annually to support direct services for children and youth.

Youth are represented on the Planning and Oversight Committee to ensure their participation in all aspects of decision-making. The Planning and Oversight Committee develops a Strategic Plan to guide decisions about what types of programs and services will be funded.

The POC oversees an open and competitive grant funding process to select programs for funding each year. OFCY releases a Request for Proposals containing the guidelines that organizations use to apply for OFCY funding.

Annual evaluations help assess the overall impact of OFCY funds.

OFCY Funding Priorities

OFCY’s 2002-2006 Strategic Plan presents four priority areas for funding:

Support for Children’s Success in School: Programs that help children and youth (ages 0 -13) achieve improved educational outcomes.
Child Health and Wellness: Programs that help children and youth (ages 0 – 13) make healthy choices regarding their mental, physical, sexual and spiritual health.
Healthy Transitions to Adulthood: Programs that help youth (ages 14 – 20) become well-balanced, healthy, productive, honorable adults.
Youth Empowerment: Programs that help youth (ages 11-20) to play key roles in meaningful partnerships that affect their lives.

Access to OFCY Resources

OFCY has established guidelines that organizations must meet in order to be eligible for funding:

Only non-profit organizations and public agencies may apply for funding.
Funding is only available for direct services to children and youth age 0–20.
Children and youth served through funding must live, attend school, or receive childcare services in Oakland.

To learn more about OFCY and the
RFP funding process, please contact our office:
Oakland Fund for Children & Youth
150 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 4216
Oakland, CA 94612
510-238-6379

Or visit the OFCY website at www.ofcy.org