Youth Opportunity Program

NOTICE
APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

PURPOSE
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.

AUTHORIZATION
Sections 135.460 and 620.1100 to 620.1103, RSMo 

ELIBIGLE AREAS
Statewide

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

• Non-Profit Organizations
• Schools*
• Faith-based Organizations*
• Local Governments
• Missouri Businesses
• Public or Private Entities

*Schools and faith-based organizations must meet certain criteria.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
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

PROGRAM BENEFITS/ELIGIBLE USES
This tax credit can be applied to:

• Ch. 143 – Income tax, excluding withholding tax
• Ch. 147 – Corporate franchise tax
• Ch. 148 –
  • Bank Tax
  • Insurance Premium Tax
  • Other Financial Institution Tax
• Ch. 153 – Express Companies Tax

This credit’s special attribute:

• Carryforward 5 years

FUNDING LIMITS

• The Youth Opportunities Program has up to $6 million in tax credits to award annually. 
• Each project is limited to $250,000 in tax credits.
• Each contributor is limited to $200,000 in tax credits annually.

APPLICATION/APPROVAL PROCEDURE
There is no deadline for applying.  Applications are reviewed as received until funding is depleted. 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Quarterly reports, final report and final audit for projects using $25,000 or more in tax credits

CONTACT
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Division of Business and Community Services
Finance Management Team
301 West High Street, Room 770
P.O. Box 118
Jefferson City MO 65102
Phone:  573-751-4539    Fax: 573-522-4322
E-mail:  dedfin@ded.mo.gov 

To e-mail this web page attach the following URL: http://go.missouridevelopment.org/yop

Business and Community Services
301 W. High Street, Rooms 720, 770  Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
Tel: 1-866-647-3633    Fax: 1-573-751-7384    Email: missouridevelopment@ded.mo.gov