Hello Afterschool Community,
The Mississippi Statewide Afterschool Network (MSAN) understands that securing sustainable funding is crucial for the success and longevity of your afterschool and out-of-school time programs. While the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant is a cornerstone for many, a diverse range of funding opportunities exist to help you expand your impact, enhance your offerings, and reach more students and families.
In this ongoing blog series, we’ll explore various federal, state, and private funding streams that can support your vital work. Staying informed about these opportunities can help you build a robust financial foundation for your program.
Featured Funding Opportunities
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Grants for Arts Projects
If your afterschool program incorporates arts education or creative enrichment, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers significant grant opportunities. Their “Grants for Arts Projects” program supports a wide array of artistic endeavors that engage the public and strengthen the arts sector.
- What it Funds: Projects can span various disciplines, including dance, design, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and folk & traditional arts. This is a fantastic avenue for programs looking to enhance their arts-based activities, bring in teaching artists, or develop new creative initiatives.
- Who Can Apply: Non-profit organizations (which includes many afterschool programs), units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities are eligible.
- Submission Deadline: July 17, 2025
- Learn More: Given varying deadlines and specific program guidelines, we encourage you to visit the official NEA website directly for the most current information.
Explore NEA Grants for Arts Projects: https://www.arts.gov/grants/grants-for-arts-projects
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): Afterschool Snacks
Did you know there’s federal funding specifically to help you provide nutritious snacks to children in your afterschool program? The USDA’s Afterschool Snacks program, part of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), offers cash reimbursement for snacks served to eligible children.
- What it Funds: This program provides financial support for snacks that meet USDA nutrition standards, helping you ensure children receive wholesome food during non-school hours.
- Who Can Apply: Public or private non-profit organizations, as well as certain for-profit organizations, that sponsor afterschool care programs with an educational or enrichment purpose. To be eligible, programs must generally be located in areas served by schools where at least half of the enrolled children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
- Reimbursement based. No Deadline.
- Learn More: Participation is typically administered through your state agency. For detailed eligibility and application procedures, you’ll want to connect with your state’s FNS administering agency.
Discover USDA Afterschool Snacks: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/afterschool-snacks
- U.S. Department of Education: TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program
While directly for higher education institutions, the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program offers crucial support that aligns with the goals of many afterschool programs – preparing students for postsecondary success. This program provides grants to colleges and universities to offer academic and motivational support to students.
- What it Funds: SSS grants enable institutions to provide services like tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, mentoring, and financial aid guidance. The aim is to increase college retention and graduation rates for eligible students.
- Who Can Apply: Institutions of higher education are the direct applicants for SSS grants. However, afterschool programs can explore partnerships with local colleges and universities that may already receive SSS funding, or encourage their students to seek out these services once they enroll in higher education.
- Target Population: SSS specifically targets students who are low-income, first-generation college students, or individuals with disabilities.
- Deadline: July 15, 2025
- Learn More: While you won’t apply directly for these funds, understanding their availability can help you guide your students toward comprehensive support pathways.
Explore TRIO Student Support Services: https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-higher-education/trio/student-support-services-program
- National Science Foundation (NSF): Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)
For afterschool and out-of-school time (OST) programs dedicated to advancing STEM learning through technology, the NSF’s ITEST program presents an exciting opportunity. ITEST invests in projects that ignite students’ interest in STEM and prepare them for future STEM careers.
- What it Funds: ITEST supports projects that engage K-12 students (and sometimes early undergraduates) from diverse backgrounds in innovative technology experiences. These projects aim to deepen students’ engagement in STEM disciplines and help them envision pathways to STEM careers.
- Who Can Apply: A broad range of organizations are eligible, including institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state/local governments, and tribal governments. This makes it highly relevant for afterschool programs looking to expand their technology-focused STEM offerings.
- Deadline: August 9, 2025
- Learn More: NSF ITEST is a competitive grant program with specific solicitations and deadlines that vary. We highly recommend visiting the official NSF website for the latest solicitation details and application guidance.
Explore NSF ITEST Program: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/itest-rc-innovative-technology-experiences-students-teachers-resource/5467/nsf22-585/solicitation#elig
Stay Tuned for More Opportunities!
This is just the beginning of our series on afterschool funding. We’ll be updating this blog post with additional grant programs and resources in the coming weeks. Check back regularly, and don’t hesitate to explore these avenues to strengthen your program’s financial future.
Sincerely,
The Mississippi Statewide Afterschool Network