Welcome to our resources page
Below you will find access to a wide array of virtual resources that provide funding research, trends, and thinking in the after school field.
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Starting an Afterschool Program - COMING SOON!
Don’t know where to start? We hope this helps!
The Starting an Afterschool Program Toolkit is a step-by-step guide that takes you from learning, to planning, and growing a high-quality afterschool program. The toolkit contains:
The Division of Licensing oversees licensing programs for over 4,000 child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and youth camps in Connecticut.
Guide for conversation to develop mission and vision statements for your organization.
Toolkit on building successful community partnerships for afterschool programs
Guide on building successful community partnerships for afterschool programs.
Customize our policy and procedure template to fit your program.
Review CT’s Wage and Workplace Standards.
Review CT’s Afterschool Snack Program (ASP).
Explore the Wallace Foundation’s out-of-school time recruitment guide for programs.
Explore the CT-QSAT observational tool and other tools for evaluating the quality of your program.
Funding Ideas and Tips
Finding resources for your program can be tough. Here are some tips on how to steer your approach to getting funding:
To create a program that works, your sustainability plan should be specific. What role will parent fees play? Where will you seek funds? How can you use in-kind resources? Who are your logical partners? Who will approach donors and/or write proposals? How can you take the long view to stay in business? Check out strongnonprofits.org for some great tools to help with this.
Start from your mission statement and strategic plan. Allocate adequate time to meet with stakeholders, review data and do some thinking about a plan to sustain (and possibly grow) your program. Sources related to planning for sustainability and finding funds may be found here, under “Funding & Sustainability”.
Research is required to identify your most likely funding sources. Some grant sources are listed to the left, but there are thousands more. Find your local Foundations Center repository and plan to spend some time identifying prospective funders.
Plan to evaluate. Few programs get funded without showing that they are serving a real need and are able to perform. Expansion and even continuation is usually impossible without evidence of quality. Organize data you already have (waiting list numbers, etc.) and community interest as well as the value of what you are already delivering. Use data from the school district, Connecticut State Department of Education, and organizations like the United Way to help establish need.
If you want out-of-school time programming that is high quality and you need to know how to budget for it, this website can help. This online calculator lets you determine the costs of a variety of options for high-quality out-of-school time programs. With other resources on this site, it can help you make informed decisions so you can plan for programming in which children flourish.
Looking for a small grant to fund a special project? Check out our November 2011 webinar for specific how-tos and resources.
Additional training can be helpful in improving your skills raising money. Check out trainings by the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits, nonprofit resource libraries, or the free, on-line GrantSpace.org are all good places to start. The Connecticut After School Network’s Resource Library (a free resource for professional members) has numerous resources to help improve your sustainability skills. Contact us to find out more. Consider hiring a grant writer, or finding a volunteer editor to review your grants. Everyone can benefit from an outside perspective on how to tell their story in a more compelling way.
Funding Sources
Afterschool Funding Database – Visit their funding page for additional tools to help organize your fundraising strategy and make the most of the resources available to afterschool programs.
The BOOST Funding page is a comprehensive compilation of available funding opportunities including grants, scholarships, awards, and contests to support your school and/or programs. We encourage you to visit their site often for updates and opportunities.
Deadline: Rolling
Award: $1,000–$5,000
Finish Line Youth Foundation focuses funding on organizations that provide opportunities for youth participation in the following areas: (1) Youth athletic programs — Community-based programs addressing active lifestyle and team building skills; (2) Camps — Established camps with an emphasis on sports and active lifestyle, especially programs serving disadvantaged and special needs kids.
More information ➜
Deadline, Quarterly: June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31
Award: Varies
Classics for Kids Foundation aims to bridge the funding gap and enhance school music programs by providing matching grants for beautiful new stringed instruments.
More information ➜
Deadline: Rolling
Award: Varies
The ESA Foundation is dedicated to supporting positive programs and opportunities that make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation seeks to harness the collective power of the interactive entertainment industry to create positive social impact in our communities. The Foundation supports geographically diverse projects and programs that benefit American boys and girls of all races and religions.
More information ➜
Deadline: Rolling
Award: $200–$10,000
The Wish You Well Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that promote family literacy in the United States. The focus of the foundation’s grantmaking is on the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs.
More information ➜