In 2008, the Black Men of Greater Springfield first implemented an operational mini-grant program.  The program (The UNITY Grant program) was designed to provide grants to community youth service groups and organizations.  It was created with the concept that groups of all sizes could be provided with funds to help assist them with providing direct services to area youth.

 

The idea of the program was formed after some discussions with (then) State Representative Ben Swan. The BMGS wanted to be able to provide support for direct youth services to a wider scope of groups; and the State Rep had always been looking for way to support youth development in the greater Springfield area. Through this collaboration, ant the support of the Commonwealth, funding was identified. The BMGS was able to secure a budget line item for $200,000 in the Commonwealth's operational budget for that fiscal year. Since that initial funding, equals funds were secured in the state's 2014-2015 budget. 
 

This support has enabled the BMGS to administer it's youth service mini-grant program for the last serval years. Mini-grants (from $1,000 - $5,000) were awarded to several area groups that were providing services to youth. These groups would assist and support kids from all over the great Springfield area. There were sports groups / leagues, (basketball, baseball, karate, tennis, track etc.) youth development groups / projects, reading programs, acting / theater programs, scouting, cultural events / outings and others.