Objective:
Support community organizations in developing innovative employment solutions for low-income youth (ages 15-24). Eligible initiatives may include:

• Technical and vocational training programs that upskill or reskill low-income youth and move them into employment, including paid internships, apprenticeships, or formal jobs.
• Entrepreneurship programs that focus on the incubation or scaling of youth-led businesses to promote job creation and access to self-generated income.
• Financial education initiatives integrated into workforce development to equip low-income youth with financial literacy and access to safe and affordable financial tools.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a registered nonprofit organization under local law.
• Must submit audited financial statements covering at least part of 2023 or later.
• The project must support low-income communities, as defined by local standards and definitions.
• The project must impact one or more eligible countries
• Applications must be submitted in English, but supporting financial and legal documents (such as audited financial statements, annual reports, governing documents, and registration documents) can be submitted in the original language

Eligible Countries:

• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
• Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.
• Asia-Pacific: Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
• Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay.
• North America: Canada, Mexico, and the United States (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C.).

Project Duration:
Two years.

Application Deadlines:

• Registration deadline: March 4, 2025 (12:00 PM New York Time). Organizations must first register and confirm eligibility to access the application portal.
• Application submission deadline: March 18, 2025 (12:00 PM New York Time).

Grant Amount:
Each selected organization will receive $500,000 USD over two years:

• Year 1 (2025): $250,000
• Year 2 (2026): $250,000

Funding Can Be Used For:

• Salaries for staff involved in program implementation.
• Technology and digital tools to support program delivery.
• Program materials, including training resources and equipment.
• Training sessions, workshops, and educational events.
• Research and evaluation activities to assess program impact.
• Communication and marketing to promote program reach.
• Convenings and networking events to foster collaboration.
• General overhead costs necessary for program execution.

Selection Process:

1. Round 1 (March – August 2025): Initial review of applications. Additional information may be requested via email.
2. Round 2 (by July 2025): Shortlisted organizations must submit further documentation. This may include a brief organizational questionnaire and an in-person or virtual site visit to evaluate the organization’s mission and track record.
3. Final Decision (Q4 2025): 50 organizations will be selected as awardees. All applicants will be informed of the decision by October 2025.

Restrictions on Funding:
The grant cannot be used for:

• Political or lobbying activities, including campaign support, voter registration drives (unless non-partisan), or influencing legislation.
• Private foundations, whether operating or non-operating.
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity or expression, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, or other legally protected personal characteristic or status.
• Memorials, gift-matching programs, or personal financial support.
• Organizations that require the use of a fiscal sponsor.
• Any organization that does not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.

Reporting Requirements:
Selected organizations must submit:

• Two interim reports over the course of the program.
• One final report through the Citi Foundation’s online grant portal at the end of the two-year funding period.

More Information:

• Application Portal
• For inquiries: citifoundationRFP@citi.com