In-kind contributions can play a major role in your program's funding plan, providing much needed resources (from supplies to staff time to facilities). One way to identify potential in-kind contributions is to map your community's assets and then examine how they can apply to your program's needs. In-kind contributions can come in the form of donated supplies from local stationary stores, grant writing services from nonprofits, evaluations conducted by universities and a variety of other ways.

Be creative in your approach to involving other organizations in your program - there are frequently uptapped resources and support among organizations that share your vision and goals.

For example, health care agencies are often overlooked as partners in afterschool despite their interest in keeping youth safe and unharmed during the hours after school. Such agencies can contribute public relations services, staff time for presentations, supplies and many other resources.

Not only will such in-kind contributions decrease your program's direct expenditures, but they can be considered as matching funds for programs and grants that require a local contribution.

To see successful examples of afterschool programs that have pieced together funding from local, as well as other sources, check out the profiles on the Finance Project's website: www.financeproject.org/.