The Foundation believes that all youth deserve the opportunity to attend high-quality after-school programs that incorporate best practice standards and provide children with experiences that are challenging, nurturing, and fun. We use the term “after school” to include programs that operate during the hours of 3pm to 6pm during the school year. Programs may take place in school buildings, or any community-based facility.
Best-Practice elements include:
- typically operate 3-5 days a week
- recording program attendance to show that youth participate on a consistent basis
- youth development opportunities that include hands-on project-based learning
- daily homework help
- enrichment activities that focus on skills building (executive functions, literacy and numeracy), such as theater arts, STEM, and recreation activities that include team and confidence building
High-quality elements include:
- broad outreach to get and keep youth involved and engaged a regular basis, including youth who are most at-risk or have the greatest need
- developmentally age-appropriate and culturally relevant to the youth being served
- clear and defined outcomes for youth
- methods to measure program implementation and progress
For other programs that follow the school year but do not meet the after-school program criteria (such as in-school day and Saturday programs), use our program grant application. Applications for programs that follow the school year are due April 27, 2023.
The deadline for any summer youth programs is January 19, 2023. Use the program grant application.
In order to apply:
- Organization must be tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3).
With very few exceptions, we do not fund:
- General operating support or unrestricted grants
- Primary or secondary schools -- public, private independent, or parochial -- or colleges and universities
- Funding to replace municipal, state or federal funding
If your request is for any of the above purposes, we strongly encourage you call the Foundation before submitting a proposal.
Ineligible for funding:
- Political advocacy and lobbying
- Religious institutions, except for non-sectarian activities that benefit the community at-large
- Individuals
- Annual campaigns
- Endowment funds
- Travel (e.g. sports teams, field trips).
- Event sponsorships (e.g. golf, galas)
- Private Foundations
Grants will not be made for capital improvements, such as space renovations, or for purchasing computers. Some funds may be used for program supplies, including educational software, art materials, and the like.
The Foundation operates a large college scholarship program (see Scholarships) and and it does not provide funding for scholarship programs operated by schools or other nonprofit organizations.