Las Vegas City Council Awards $45,000 In Grants To Youth Groups

News Release

Office of Communications | 702.229.2207

 

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: JACE RADKE | 702.229.2205 | 702.249.3514 | email jradke@lasvegasnevada.gov

 

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