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68℉Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together Grant
WHat is the Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together Grant?
The Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together (BEST) Program aims to implement intervention strategies to address youth violence. As the funding arm of the San José Youth Empowerment Alliance (SJYEA), the BEST Grant Program seeks to fund services for San José youth that build on their strengths and reduce their risk of involvement in youth violence. The City of San José believes that it can address the serious problem of youth violence through the strategic partnerships forged by the BEST Grant Program.
The BEST Grant Program is now accepting applications for the next triennial 2026-2029 Request for Qualifications Period:
- The funding opportunity was released via WebGrants on December 26, 2025.
- Applications are due via WebGrants by February 19, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
To be considered for a Bringing Everyone’s Strengths Together (BEST) Grant Program from the City of San José, applicants must meet all entry criteria at the time of submitting a proposal. Applicants who do not meet all entry criteria will not be considered and the proposal will not be evaluated for qualification.
Applicants must be one of the following entities:
- A government agency
- A private nonprofit agency with 501(c) (3) status
Service Tiers
Applicants must demonstrate their agency's ability to provide services that align with one of the two Youth Services and Support Continuum (YSSC) Service Tiers outlined in the table below. It is a preference that applicants incorporate Navigator Services into their proposed model. Navigator services focus on guiding and connecting youth & families with appropriate services by helping them find & access resources.
| YSSC Service Tiers | dESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Tier 2 - Early Intervention Services | Services in this area should provide youth with access to positive youth development services that recognize and enhance their strengths, promote positive outcomes, provide opportunities, foster positive relationships, and furnish the support needed to build on those strengths. Services should also focus on intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, critical thinking and decision-making, enhancing school engagement, reducing behavioral issues within school, and mitigating truancy, absenteeism, and dropping out. |
| Tier 3 - Intensive Intervention and Diversion Services | Services in this area are intended for youth who have complex needs that have not been met through earlier interventions, such as those identified in Tier 2. These services represent the highest level of support, with a focus on intensive, individualized care. Programs under this tier should aim to identify core issues and needs within a youth and provide trauma-informed and culturally relevant healing, foster the development of a positive identity and purpose, focus on conflict resolution methods, and encourage disengagement from youth violence. Proposed models should have a focus on restorative practices, Street Outreach, and Focused Deterrence. |
How Can You Apply?
The City of San José Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services BEST Grant Program operates on a triennial funding cycle. The BEST Grant Program is now accepting applications for the 2026-2029 RFQ period.
The RFQ application period opened on December 26, 2025 and proposals are due via WebGrants by February 19, 2026 at 4 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VIEW THE BEST GIR DOCUMENT:BEST GRANT GIR DOCUMENT (PDF)
Workshops
Note that attending one of the identical Pre-Proposal Workshops is mandatory for each agency. Failure to attend will result in the application being disqualified or rejected. In the Pre-Proposal Workshops, the BEST administrative team will review the following information:
- General information and requirements
- Updates to Service Strategy Areas from previous cycles
- Training on the WebGrants proposal submission process