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2 min read Oakland Life Enrichment Committee

Oakland youth grants: panel backs $20,677,356 a year, July 7 vote

Oakland Life Enrichment Committee: Up to $20,677,356 a year in grants for youth programs cleared the committee 4-0 and now heads to the July 7 City Council vote. Two other items also passed.
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Oakland
Life Enrichment Committee
June 23, 2026

TL;DR

  • A City Council committee recommended up to $20,677,356 a year in grants for children and youth programs, for two budget years. The full council votes July 7.
  • The committee approved its June 9 meeting minutes, 3-0, with one member excused.
  • The committee accepted its list of outstanding items to track, 4-0.

What happened

  1. Oakland youth programs could get up to $20,677,356 a year in grants
    1. Oakland drew 333 applications for the city's children and youth grants this cycle, up 45% from the last round. A City Council committee recommended up to $20,677,356 a year, then sent the list to the full council.
    2. The grants come from the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, or OFCY. They would go to nonprofits and public agencies running year-round programs across two budget years, July 2026 through June 2028. Funding depends on money being available and programs meeting their goals.
    3. Agencies asked for $62 million in all, far above what OFCY can give. Staff recommended awards across eight program areas. Youth development got the largest share at $7.5 million, followed by career access and employment at $4 million.
    4. What this means for you: Nothing is final yet: the full City Council takes it up July 7 on its consent calendar, a group of items voted on together. If approved, the grants fund year-round programs for an estimated 22,000 to 23,000 Oakland youth. Speakers and council members spoke up for specific programs, from Baby Learning for young children to an independent-living program for immigrant young adults. Staff said the grants also serve youth who are homeless, in foster care, or have been commercially sexually exploited.

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