Funding Opportunities

Updated Funding Database for Out-of-School Time Providers

The Afterschool Alliance has updated its funding database for out-of-school time (OST) program providers. The opportunities can be filtered by state, grade level, program areas, and funding type (private versus government)!

COVID-19	Updates about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding	The City of Chicago continues to update the community about ARPA grant opportunities and open Requests for Proposals. Email the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement to be added to their email list.
General Funding Opportunities	After School Programs Grant	The Illinois Board of Education is accepting applications for the After School Programs Grant. School district grant allocations total $21.250 million out of the $25 million appropriated. Another $3.75 million is competitive grant allocations for non-school district applicants. Proposals can be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 20, 2023.
	All Kids Play Youth Sports Grants	All Kids Play provides funding to families and communities to pay for youth sports. Grants are available to qualifying families with kids in grades kindergarten to 12 and not-for-profit community-based recreational sports organizations in underserved areas. This is an ongoing funding opportunity.
	Governor Pritzker Announces $10 Million for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program	Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $10 million in funding for the third round of the Illinois Works PreApprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. Eligible applicants include non-profit, community-based organizations, such as industry associations, chambers of commerce, local workforce areas, community colleges, technical schools, and school districts. Applications will be accepted until August 30, 2023.
	NEA Big Read Grant is Now Open!	Applications are now open for grants to support National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read projects between September 2023 and June 2024. The NEA Big Read annually provides support to selected nonprofit organizations to host community-wide reading programs. Matching grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each.The Intent to Apply deadline is January 18, 2023.
	Field Foundation Grants Open!	The Field Foundation‘s Letter of Inquiry portal is open for Spring 2023 grant considerations. Complete their form by January 16, 2023.
	Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grant Program	The Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grant Program provides Pre K-12 school districts and institutions with competitive grants to incorporate PLTW curricula into educators’ plans. PLTW focuses on creating transformative learning experiences for students so that they are able to develop in-demand knowledge and skill sets.
	One-by-One Grant	4Imprint is offering $500 in promotional products every business day to organizations in order to recruit volunteers, thank donors, offer comfort to someone in need or, in some other way, turn the grant into something much more. The deadline to apply is ongoing.
	STEMfinity Grant Archive	STEMfinity is a one-stop-STEM-shop that includes a state-specific STEM grant archive. Click here to access STEM grant opportunities in Illinois.
	After School Advantage Program	The After School Advantage program is IGT’s flagship community initiative, devoted to providing young people with access to technology in a safe, nurturing afterschool environment, while promoting opportunities in digital learning centers in communities where the Company operates. Proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, click here.
	BOOST Cafe	BOOST Cafe’s funding archive includes grants, scholarships, awards, and contests. Each opportunity is sorted by category, amount, grade level, and the deadline to apply.
Youth Development, Programming, & Activities	Up to $30k for Programs Improving Family Literacy, Engagement, Leadership	The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is seeking program proposals for the Sharon Darling Innovation Fund (SDIF) Family Learning System Challenge. This funding opportunity will award up to $30,000 to organizations that are developing and implementing innovative programs and strategies aimed at improving the status quo in family literacy, family engagement, and/or family leadership. Out-of-school time programs are specifically listed as one of the potential eligible organization types and are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2023.
	BookSmart Grant for Afterschool Programming	Worldreader is accepting applications for its BookSmart grant which can be used on anything (staffing, print materials, supplies, etc.) to help offset costs organizations might incur while using digital books on BookSmart with families or on-site. Grants range from $5,000 to $7,500. The deadline to apply for this grant is March 24, 2023.
	NOAA Planet Stewards Funding	The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting applications from formal and informal educators to help them in carrying out hands-on stewardship projects with elementary through college-age students, as well as the general public. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to eligible entities and focus areas include marine debris, habitat conservation and restoration, carbon footprint reduction, and carbon sequestration. Applications are due June 4, 2023.
	Grant Opportunity for Chicago-based Arts Nonprofits	The MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is offering a second cycle of grants to Chicago-based organizations that provide programming around the creative disciplines, and whose actual expenses in the most recently completed fiscal year were between $150,000 and $500,000. The application deadline is May 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. CST.
	Federal Surplus Property	Out-of-school time programs are eligible to receive Federal Surplus Property at a very low cost. Federal Surplus Property includes electronics, instruments, office furniture, kitchen supplies, lawn and garden supplies, heavy equipment, tools and more. Property is available in the program’s warehouse in Springfield, as well as from around the country.
	NextWaveSTEM: Equity STEM Grant	In partnership with Chicagoland corporations, NextWave STEM is soliciting applications for its new “Equity in Education” grant for pilot programs. Pilot programs allow schools and afterschool providers to integrate STEM programming in robotics, 3D technology, drones and coding, and artificial intelligence at a fraction of the price.
	NextWaveSTEM Grants	NextWaveSTEM is offering grants to bring its hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs to more Illinois youth than ever. These grants will support 50 schools in accessing NextWaveSTEM programs through curriculum, teacher training, and equipment to start STEM in-school or afterschool programs. Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis. To learn more, click here.
	Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund: Request for Proposals Open	Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund (the Fund) is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFPs) from Chicago-based organizations that work to support and empower the social, economic and political goals of Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities. The Fund is comprised of thirteen foundations that aim to raise and move $3 million to organizations building and sustaining movements for justice that center Black lives and address anti-Blackness. To submit an RFP and to learn more, click here.
Safety, Health, & Nutrition	Pritzker Administration Announces $10M in Grants to Strengthen Mental Health Services	Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that Illinois is accepting grant applications from schools and agencies that support child and adolescent health for a share of $10 million in federal funding intended to strengthen mental health services for students across Illinois. IDPH will be accepting applications from school districts and agencies that support adolescent mental health through September 8, 2023.
	Healthier Kids For Our Future Mental Health Grant	The goal of the Cigna Foundation is to supplement existing mental health programming and help close gaps both within and outside the school environment to address loneliness, anxiety, and depression. They fund programs that foster collaboration between stakeholders to address mental health and emotional well-being challenges for children. This grant opportunity is ongoing.
	Children’s Obesity Fund	The Children’s Obesity Fund seeks to educate parents and children about the rising obesity rates in America, reverse the statistics and dangerous trends, and help prevent the next generation from continuing down this alarmingly unhealthy road. The fund would like to support non-profit organizations who share the goal of eliminating the epidemic of childhood obesity. The deadline to apply
	Fuel Up to Play 60	Fuel Up to Play 60 is accepting applications for funds that can be used to conduct programs in schools focused on creating a healthier school and to implement Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Plays. Funds can also be used for professional development, nutrition education materials, and physical education equipment & materials. The deadline to apply is ongoing. To learn more, click here.
	Breakfast After the Bell \| Rise & Shine Illinois (riseandshineillinois.org)	Rise and Shine Illinois will award up to $5,000 per school to support and enhance initiatives facilitating Breakfast After the Bell delivery models. Grants are to be used to purchase approved equipment, materials, and supplies.
Family and Community Partnerships	Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot Grant Program	Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the City of Chicago are launching the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, a $31.5 million dollar commitment to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection process includes an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. The application opens in April 2022. You may sign up for updates, here.
Outdoor and Indoor Environments
Professional Development