Archives:

Select:

An insider's guide to funding afterschool: The basics of proposal writing

READ FULL STORY

An insider's guide to funding afterschool: The basics of proposal writing

After you have identified, qualified and cultivated your prospect (see September’s fundraising blog, IQCSS), it is time to make the solicitation by submitting a proposal. The foundation will either have proposal guidelines available on their website or, you’ll be invited to submit a standard proposal.

A standard proposal should include the following:

Proposal summary

A paragraph on the issue at hand. Your first sentence should pique the interest of the funder, “Approximately 75 percent of students from the XYZ district are left alone between 9 a..m. and 3 p.m., June through September, and often times miss a meal because of a lack of summer afterschool programming.” The opening paragraph should alert the reader about the existing situation. The second paragraph is a summary of how your afterschool program’s activities can mitigate or erase the problem and how much it will cost. Ask for a specific dollar amount over a specific time frame “The ABC Afterschool Program respectfully requests a $XX,XXX grant to provide summer programming, including lunches, to 100 students from the XYZ School District.”

Organization Background

Include your mission and vision statements. In addition, describe the history of the organization and any current information that gives the reader a good idea of its particulars including population served (e.g. elementary, middle, or high), student demographics, etc. End with a short synopsis of your programs.

Needs Statement

What is the issue that you wish to address and why is it important: who will benefit; the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced meals; the percentage (if any) of the community living at or below the poverty line or where English is a second language, etc.

Project Description

Provide a description of what your project aims to do. How will your project address the needs and problems identified above?

Detail the project objectives and the activities needed to carry out the project. Include details about methodology and your expected outcomes. Be as detailed as possible. Your goals should be in the SMART Framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused and Time Bound.

Explain how you will disseminate your results. For example, at conferences, in the final report, press release to local media, on multiple social media channels, and on your afterschool website, etc.

Budget

Foundations typically require an organizational budget and a project budget. In a project budget, key categories should include: Personnel Costs (salaries, fringe benefits); Project Expenses (snacks, materials, communications, travel, and phone/printing); indirect costs (overhead, rent, audit, etc.)  Ensure that the project budget matches what is stated in the proposal.  In addition to a project budget, a budget narrative is also recommended to provide a brief explanation of project budget items.

When drafting the proposal, think of the how you would feel if you had to read 20+ solicitations. Your eyes may get tired of reading page after page of text in Times New Roman. Make it easier on the reader by using headings and subheadings when possible, and add page numbers. Also, insert text boxes with client, staff or funder quotes on how your program benefits the clients and the community. You want to stand out! Last, have someone do a final review for spelling and grammar. Best of luck!

For more information, please contact Christopher Vance, director of development, at cvance@afterschoolalliance.org.

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

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...

BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/18/23

Check your afterschool program's eligibility for Yield Giving grants

In the past three years, MacKenzie Scott has shaken up traditional philanthropy by granting high-dollar awards to nonprofits in a variety of fields, including afterschool and summer learning. Until now, programs had no way of applying for or expressing interest in these awards.  At the end...

BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/11/23

Workforce Pathways for Youth grants available

In March, the Department of Labor published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Workforce Pathways for Youth Grants. A pre-recorded applicant webinar will be available by April 14, 2023 and applications will be due May 19, 2023. The grants offer up to $2 million to national out-of-school time...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/07/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

New Wallace Foundation and EdCounsel resource offers opportunities to discover funding streams and develop partnerships

This July, The Wallace Foundation launched a new free resource created by EducationCounsel (EdCounsel): “Using Federal Funds for Summer Learning and Afterschool: A New Guide for Providers, School Districts, and Intermediaries” to help out-of-school time providers and leaders, school and...

BY: Sophie Kidd      08/09/22

Funding opportunity: National grant initiative for civic learning projects

By Frances Hannan, Program Officer for the WW Higher Education Media Fellowship and the Director of Multimedia Projects at the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. The Civic Spring Fellowship has open applications for two innovative grant initiatives that will support young people looking to...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/04/22

States put kids first with new revenue streams

Several new state revenue streams are emerging in states from Alaska to Maryland, and lawmakers in those states are recognizing the value of investing in young people and families with the funds generated. In Louisiana, revenue from sports gambling is being used to support early childhood...

BY: Jen Rinehart      03/17/22

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

$1.8M awarded to middle school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2023 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its seventh year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $9.75 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Dan Gilbert      06/21/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

New Wallace Foundation and EdCounsel resource offers opportunities to discover funding streams and develop partnerships

This July, The Wallace Foundation launched a new free resource created by EducationCounsel (EdCounsel): “Using Federal Funds for Summer Learning and Afterschool: A New Guide for Providers, School Districts, and Intermediaries” to help out-of-school time providers and leaders, school and...

BY: Sophie Kidd      08/09/22