Even with the use of volunteers and receipt of in-kind donations, the need to secure additional funding required by youth courts may vary, depending on the size of the program and whether the program is administered and operated by an existing organization or is formed as a private nonprofit agency. Programs that operate within an existing organization (e.g., probation department, police department, or juvenile court) may have a slight advantage, because they may be able to have their budget incorporated as a line item in the overall budget of the organization. Recently, the National Youth Court Center asked program coordinators to indicate the sources of their funding. The responses indicated the following funding sources: line item in the budget of an existing organization, State and Federal grants, support from nonprofit organizations, funding from local community organizations, and fund-raising activities. Before beginning the search for funding sources, this article offers practical tips. These include making sure the program is in order; have an evaluation tool in place; know the community; start a nonprofit organization; create an endowment; have a government agency provide budget funds; collaborate with organizations and don't always ask for money; involve the advisory board or board of directors; look for small grants; establish annual fund-raising events; develop a database for "Friends of Youth Court;" look for funding from local organizations; talk to private foundations; and look into State and Federal funding. 5 references