COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus announced Wednesday it is dedicating $28.2 million in funding to the city's younger population. 

The funding will also include $8.6 million in summer program grants that will be awarded to 112 community organizations that submitted funding requests earlier this year.

“We owe it to our kids to give them every chance to succeed,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther. “By providing them with structure and stability, and helping them to develop new skills, we are building a brighter tomorrow while ensuring the kind of growth that is both dynamic and inclusive.”

The city said the programs receiving the grants will use them to improve academic performance, health and wellbeing, or enhance career readiness and workplace skills. 

The funding was prioritized for programs that are helping vulnerable, at-risk and underserved children, the city said. They are disproportionately impacted by crime, violence and other related challenges. 

“I spent my summers lifeguarding at Wyandot Lake, now called Zoombezi Bay, where I learned to work hard and engage the public. It also kept me busy and out of trouble! This $8.6 M investment in 112 local nonprofits is all about making sure today’s young people have the same safe and enriching opportunities to grow,” said Council President Shannon Hardin. “And at a time when the federal government is pulling out the rug on nonprofits, Columbus is doubling down on supporting those who do this critical work in our underserved communities.”

The additional $19.6 million has already been approved for city-sponsored summer programs, such as police and fire cadet classes, a job readiness program, summer camps, youth sports and more. 

A full list of organizations receiving funding is available here.