Per RMYF’s definition, innovative programs use strategies or services for helping youth reach their full potential that are promising yet new, uncommon and untested. In other words, innovative programs aim to effect meaningful change in youth through methods outside of current common practices. It should be noted that RMYF Board members may not have expertise in your program's focus area. Thus, it is important to explain fully and with back up data, if possible, what makes your program innovative and on what basis the innovative component is promising. Innovative services RMYF has funded include the following:

• An intensive weekend tutoring program for at-risk students
• A market-based entrepreneurial franchise system for delivering vital medications to third world children
• An apprenticeship-based school
• A strategy of hospital-based advocacy and community-based after-school programs to eliminate obesity and improve overall health in children
• A strategy for helping children in low-performing schools by providing talented, experienced teachers with support, incentives and a professional environment that make teaching in low-performing schools a viable career.