Aim High grant program for afterschool programs – Feb 1

Posted by Afterschool Alliance on January 2, 2024

New York Life Foundation, Afterschool Alliance invite proposals for middle school out-of-school time programs

New York Life Foundation and Afterschool Alliance have requested the Aim High grant program proposals.

According to the foundation, the middle school years are critical in determining a young person’s long-term academic trajectory. Enriching OST programs—such as afterschool and summer learning programs—is an effective means of helping middle school students successfully transition from eighth to ninth grade. In addition, these programs provide students benefits that extend beyond academics, helping develop the whole young person cognitively, socially, and emotionally. The New York Life Foundation’s educational enhancement grantmaking strategy aims to provide opportunities that help students in middle school thrive and become better prepared to complete high school and go on to college, providing them with a brighter future.

Grants will be awarded in the following categories:

One-Year Grants: Twenty grants of $15,000 will be awarded; 10 will focus on supporting programs’ efforts around racial equity and social justice, and 10 will focus on supporting programs’ efforts around youth entrepreneurship. Organizations must have annual budgets of at least $150,000.

Two-Year Grants: Grants will be awarded in support of programs that enhance direct service activities, technical assistance, capacity building, and serving youth while facing the challenges of the pandemic and beyond. Ten grants of $50,000 per year for two years will be awarded in support of afterschool and summer programs with annual program budgets of at least $250,000 and annual organizational budgets of $500,000 or more, and 10 grants of $25,000 per year for two years will be awarded to organizations with annual organizational budgets of at least $250,000.

Applicants must be tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, serve middle school youth (sixth, seventh, and eighth graders), and serve at least 75 percent of low-income youth. For this grant program, “low-income” is defined as students who qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRPL).

Additional information, including the application form, eligibility requirements, and a list of previous winners, is available on the Afterschool Alliance website.

Deadline: February 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET