Youth Opportunities Program

To broaden and strengthen opportunities for positive development and participation in community life for youth. 

The purpose of the Youth Opportunities Program is to broaden and strengthen opportunities for positive development and participation in community life for youth, and to discourage such persons from engaging in criminal and violent behavior.

Program Notice (5/3/2022)

The YOP team has completed awards for the CY2022 cycle and is currently in the development process of the CY2023 application and guidelines. The CY2023 cycle is expected to open in December when the new application and guidelines become available.

How to Apply

The Department of Economic Development is not accepting applications at this time. To prepare for future application cycles, please review the requirements and documents below, keeping in mind that some requirements may be subject to change as staff work to continuously improve the program. Before starting the application, you’ll need to gather the information and documents listed below.

• Organization FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
• Organization NAICS
• Organization Board List (Download also available from the Attachments section of the application)
• Letter of Local Government Support
• Organization E-Verify MOU (see the YOP Guidelines for more information)
• Organization Articles of Incorporation (and Bylaws if applicable)
• Organization 501(c)(3) IRS letter (if designated as a 501(c)(3))
• Applicant Certification (Download also available from the Attachments section of the application)
• Site Control – For Capital Campaign projects. Refer to the YOP Guidelines for information about acceptable documentation
• YOP Budget & Other Sources of Funding

Program Document Upload - Existing Projects ONLY

Upload Program Application(s) and Documents

The FTP is a file system that allows you to send large documents that are too big to go through email. Sending documents through FTP can also help you save space in your inbox!

To upload a file, please click the following link and enter the username and password provided below:

Username: ded.finance
Password: BCSformupload2022

Need help? Click here.

A notification email confirming receipt will be sent to the email address listed in the application within 3 business days.

Program documents can be accepted as either digital or original documents. If you choose to mail an original document, please refrain from uploading a duplicate. Likewise, please do NOT mail an original copy if you have uploaded the same file through this web page.

Any original documents should be mailed to the address below:

Department of Economic Development
PO Box 118
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Eligibility Requirements

Tax credits are allocated to organizations administering positive youth development or crime prevention projects that have been approved through the application process.  Approved organizations secure contributions from their community, and the contributor receives tax credits for those contributions.  There are 50% tax credits for monetary contributions and wages paid to youth in an approved internship, apprenticeship or employment project, and 30% tax credits for property or equipment contributions used specifically for the project.

• Eligible Projects include:
• Degree Completion
• Internship/Apprenticeship
• Youth Clubs/Associations
• Adopt-A-School Mentor/Role Model
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Violence Prevention
• Youth Activity Centers
• Conflict Resolution
• Employment
• Counseling