You can pursue grants and donations from private sources such as local businesses, civic organizations, foundations, faith-based organizations, associations and other such groups or individuals.

It might be easier to pursue funding for specific elements of your afterschool program that match the interests of the private funder. For example, a local business might be more interested in funding your program's technology classes because they understand the value of a highly skilled future labor force. Similarly, a local chapter of the League of Women Voters might fund a weekly civic engagement seminar for middle school girls to match their organizational mission.

This approach will also work well with foundations, which often have specific goals and needs they are trying to address. For more information about foundations, visit the Foundation Center website: www.fdncenter.org

Overall, for the best results in pursuing private funding, try to frame the outcomes of your afterschool program in terms that resonate with private funders.