Las Vegas City Council Awards $45,000 In Grants To Youth Groups
Office of Communications | 702.229.2207
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Las Vegas City Council Awards $45,000 In Grants To Youth Groups
Applicants Work To Improve The Community
The Las Vegas City Council awarded $45,000 in grants as part of the annual Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program (YNAPP) at today’s City Council meeting. Now in its 26th year, YNAPP is a collaboration between youth, neighborhood associations and government, allowing youth to take part in youth-led, youth-driven projects of their own design. To complete these projects, YNAPP offers grants for up to $2,000 for youth groups to create and implement neighborhood-based service learning projects. This year, due to the number of applications received, the maximum grant award amount was $1,500.
A total of 45 grants were awarded to applicants.
Fifteen are for community service projects, such as collecting supplies and distributing care packages for marginalized populations and essential workers.
Twelve are community education projects, such as advancing literacy efforts, learning new skills, and increasing awareness of community health and safety issues.
Four are community improvement projects, focused on creating a clean and safe community free of trash and dangerous debris.
Fourteen projects encompass two or more focus areas in their plans (community improvement, service and/or education).
Together, the funded projects will provide the city with a match of over $607,216 in volunteer hours, in-kind donations and/or financial contributions. The program requires youth groups to match the city’s grant with cash, volunteer time or in-kind services and goods donated to the project. Projects are required to take place within city limits.
YNAPP encourages youth to take ownership of their neighborhoods and work with adults and local businesses to make the city a better place to live. Through YNAPP, youth acquire skills in leadership and teamwork while contributing to their communities.
Grant applications are reviewed by the YNAPP board, whose members are appointed by the City Council. Funding recommendations are then presented to the City Council for final approval. To learn more about the YNAPP grant program, visit www.lasvegasnevada.gov/YNAPP.
Recipients:
Organization Name
Project Description
Grant Award
Ward 1
Care 4 Change
Provide care packages that include hygiene products, basic medical supplies and clothing to the unhoused and underprivileged community.
$1,000
Camera Kids
The Camera Kids project will benefit the community by teaching photography skills. The project provides youth with a creative outlet that helps them see their surroundings in a new and positive light.
$ 700
Crown Together Crew
Provide fabric hair covers and care bags for ethnic children hospital patients, helping them feel comfortable and confident, especially those who might feel self-conscious about their hair.
$1,500
Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada Troop 760 – Snuffle Love
Create and supply an enrichment toy for the animals in the shelter.
$1,500
Magical Moment Makers: The Healing Hands
Collecting and donating essential items such as snacks, toiletries, and household supplies to help keep the Family Room stocked for visiting families at the Ronald McDonald House.
$ 700
ReadUp Youth: Little Libraries, Big Future
Build and install Little Free Libraries in the community and fill them with books.
$1,500
Soul Food Kids: Hole in the Wall
"Hole in the Wall" is an immersive, sensory-based art exhibit that honors Black culinary heritage as a powerful form of cultural storytelling. Students will design interactive spaces that evoke staple communal experiences.
$1,000
Westerman Family: Suit Up For Summer
A Bird's Guide To Swim members will collect bathing suits/shorts and distribute them to youth in our community along with other swim accessories and information on how to access free swim lessons.
$1,400
Ward 2
Enriching Explorations in Engineering – Lab Rats
Create a hands-on STEM exhibit where young creators are at the center — co-designing digital art, exploring robotics, and building prototypes
$1,000
Eva Wolfe – Project Sunshine
Make sunshine kits filled with things that bring comfort and smiles — like blankets, socks, puzzles or books, stress balls, and small toys for hospitalized youth.
$1,000
Phoenix Effect - Operation Teen Champion
This program aims to recognize and celebrate the achievements of students who are often overlooked at the children’s hospital by providing them with incentive items and educational supplies.
$ 800
The Allsparks: Robotic Mixer
The Robotics Mixer is a youth-led community event designed to open doors to competitive robotics for families who lack the resources or connections to start a FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge.
$1,400
Ward 3
Equipo Academy
Provide secure, weather-protected shelters to give stray animals a safe place to rest and reduce the number of animals exposed to traffic and environmental hazards.
$ 500
Equipo Academy - Time Flies: Honoring Our Elders
Create a book with the stories of the residents at Lumina Las Vegas and educate the community about dementia and its effect on the family and community.
$1,000
John C. Fremont PDMS Leadership
Create recycling bins and provide hygiene products as a schoolwide and community project.
$1,000
Las Vegas Academy Black Student Union - Black Brilliance: Pathways to Academic Power
The Bridge to Brilliance project will provide critical support and guidance to Black 8th-grade students at under-resourced, predominantly Black middle schools as they prepare to enter high school.
$1,000
Stars Community Development Corp.: Luvin’ Them Paws & Claws Community Giveback & Showcase
Provide essential supplies for animals in the local animal shelter.
$1,400
STEMpreneurs: Roboticsm, Innovation & Financial Literacy
STEMpreneurs empowers underserved 5th-grade students in Southern Nevada by integrating STEM education, financial literacy, and career exploration through hands-on learning.
$1,000
Valley HS MSTEM Emergency Management
Ready, Prep Go! Community Preparedness Fair is focused on equipping our community with the knowledge and tools needed for emergency preparedness.
$1,000
Ward 4
Community Projects
A Book Tasting Program that consists of art & reading stations where children engage in activities involving book arts and literacy.
$1,000
Hearts of Compassion Foundation
A neighborhood showcase where families and community participate in storytelling activities, writings and art activities
$ 600
Senseis & Samurais: Moments Music Matter
Music Moves the Moment” is an immersive exhibit all about how multicultural music has shaped our lives over time, from folk songs and spirituals to jazz, hip-hop, and the sounds coming out of our own city today.
$ 600
Tarr Academy of International Studies: Grow Our Garden
Students will participate in a garden renovation and learn about healthy eating.
$1,000
The Mahogany Experience: The Beauty in Bold
Exhibitions and workshops on beauty, creativity, and connection found in black hair care.
$ 700
TOP Enrichment Community Development Corporation
Literacy & Reading Enrichment Program
The TOP Enrichment CDC Literacy & Reading Enrichment Corner is a community-based initiative designed to combat literacy loss among elementary school students in our local neighborhoods.
$ 600
Ward 5
Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc/Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy
Rose Book Drive for Kids - Make book packages for students at Helen Toland and Kermit R. Booker elementary schools to encourage early childhood literacy.
$1,300
A-TECH Mental Health Awareness Club
A mental health and wellness fair will be hosted at the Advanced Technology High School for students, staff, parents and community members.
$ 700
Advanced Technologies Academy Black Student Union
Hold Colors of Courage artistic workshops focused on art and poetry expression to help youth learn about coping mechanisms, self-love and culture.
$1,000
AKA Teens Youth Enrichment Group
Distribute care packages made at Project 150, as part of AKA teens' efforts to provide crucial support to homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students in the community.
$ 900
Black Student Union GVHS
Hold a community hygiene care drive to provide free hygiene baskets to people in need within the Las Vegas community.
$ 600
C.Y.T.N. – Project 89106
Never Give Up On Your Dreams - C.Y.T.N impacts neighborhood residents by offering creative outlets in spoken word, theater, visual arts and mentorship that build confidence, skills and unity.
$1,500
Cheyenne High School Batteries Included
Readers Reaching Readers - This community outreach initiative is designed to promote reading, creativity and self-expression among elementary school students.
$ 500
Hearts in Harmony Youth
Hearts in Harmony is a youth-led podcast and interview series created to amplify positive voices and stories in the Las Vegas community.
$ 600
Heroes & Heart: The Blessing Project
Bags of appreciation are given to everyday community workers, first responders and essential workers.
$1,000
Jump Squad Inc. – Pack of Hope
Provide hygiene and care packages to the unhoused communities by partnering with a local church.
$1,500
K.O. Knudson Academy of the Arts Black Student Union Club
Provide care packages to the women and children at the West Care campus.
$ 600
Mass Liberation: Roots of Liberation: The Healing Garden Circle
Youth will organize and facilitate monthly two-hour workshops in a community garden, guiding participants through acknowledgment circles, release rituals, coping skills training, collaborative gardening and art creation.
$ 900
National Honor Society CSNHS West: Project 150 for School
Our project is in collaboration with Project 150 and will include CSN High School's National Honor Society members working to put together hygiene kits for students in need.
$1,000
Nevada Volunteers
Host a book drive and create literacy kits for Nevada Reading Week.
$1,000
Operation Chill Crew - Beat the Heat Baskets
The "Beat the Heat Baskets" are care packages to help our community residents stay cool and safe during the hottest months.
$1,000
Ward 6
Kay Carl Elementary School Student Council
Students will build and deliver appreciation bags for our Community MVPs.
$1,000
KCES Drama Club: Inspiring Youth Performers at Kay Carl Elementary
A musical production hosted by the students at Kay Carl for a school community showing and literacy initiative.
$1,000
Project REAL
Hygiene kits and books will be collected and donated to local shelters.
$1,000
Somerset Sky Pointe Jr. Lighthouse: Books For Brave Kids
A drive-through light display and book drive for local hospitals
$1,500
All Wards
Hearts in Motion
Dance and fun exercise activities will be provided to youth attending afternoon SafeKey sites.
$1,500
Las Vegas City Council
Mayor Shelley Berkley | Mayor Pro Tem Brian Knudsen
City Manager Mike Janssen
MEDIA CONTACT: JACE RADKE | 702.229.2205 | 702.249.3514 | email jradke@lasvegasnevada.gov
Olivia Diaz | Francis Allen-Palenske | Nancy E. Brune | Shondra Summers-Armstrong | Kara Kelley
City of Las Vegas · Feb 4, 2026
