The FY 2026 Basic Center Program (BCP) grant is designed to help organizations provide emergency shelter and counseling to runaway and homeless youth under 18. The goal is to meet their immediate needs and ideally reunite them with their families or find alternative safe placements.
Who it's for: This grant is for organizations that can provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and health care referrals to homeless youth. Eligible applicants include various types of nonprofits, educational institutions, government entities, and tribal organizations.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Failure to provide required cost sharing or matching funds
- Application submitted after the deadline
- Ineligible organization type
- Incomplete application package
- Lack of experience or capacity to serve homeless youth
What You May Need
- Detailed project proposal
- Proof of eligibility
- Budget plan including cost sharing
- Organizational capacity statement
- Letters of support or partnership agreements
- Documentation of past experience with similar programs
- Registration with federal grant systems (e.g., SAM.gov)
Cautions
- Cost sharing or matching funds are required
- Strict adherence to application deadline is necessary
- Ensure all eligibility criteria are met
- Prepare for potential reporting and compliance requirements
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible entities include nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, public and state institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, state governments, city or township governments, county governments, independent school districts, special district governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations. This broad eligibility allows a wide range of organizations to apply, provided they can meet the program's requirements.
Overview
This grant is for organizations that can provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and health care referrals to homeless youth. Eligible applicants include various types of nonprofits, educational institutions, government entities, and tribal organizations.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Failure to provide required cost sharing or matching funds
- Application submitted after the deadline
- Ineligible organization type
- Incomplete application package
- Lack of experience or capacity to serve homeless youth
Use of Funds
Funds can be used to provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, counseling services, and health care referrals for homeless youth. They can also support efforts to reunite youth with their families or find alternative placements.
Total Program Funding
$27,000,000
Expected Awards
77
Cost Sharing
Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Jul 23, 2026
- Deadline
- Aug 17, 2026(24 days)
Application Checklist
- Register your organization on SAM.gov
- Prepare a detailed project proposal
- Gather proof of eligibility and organizational capacity
- Develop a budget plan including cost sharing
- Collect letters of support or partnership agreements
- Submit the application by the deadline