New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Awards

The NSLA Summer Learning Awards recognize outstanding summer programs, models, digital applications, and systems that demonstrate excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting healthy development for young people. The awards are given annually based on an application process that elicits information on a program’s history, mission, goals, operations, management, staff development, partnerships, outcomes/results, and sustainability.

There are two types of Summer Learning Awards:

• Since 2005, the New York Life Foundation Excellence in Summer Learning Award, defined by its rigorous application and selection process, has recognized enrollment-based programs employing staff who work directly with youth.
• Established in 2015, the NSLA Founder’s Award presented by the New York Life Foundation recognizes informal programs and other non-traditional forms of summer learning innovation that are critical to serving the diverse needs of schools, families, and children.

Round 1 applications are due January 12th, 2024 @ 5 pm ET/2 pm PT.

Eligibility:

Programs are measured against the Summer Learning Program Quality Assessment (SLPQA), developed in partnership between NSLA and the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality.

• Round One: Complete the Round 1 online application
• Round Two: Complete the Round 2 online application and phone Interview (semi-finalists)
• Round Three: Site Visit (finalists)

Written applications are completed online and reviewed by NSLA staff, partners, and previous winners. Phone interviews are also conducted by a mixed group of NSLA staff and external experts. Finally, NSLA staff conduct site visits to a select group of finalists to observe program activities before selecting award winners. The Summer Learning Awards seeks to find and draw national attention to exemplary summer programs, models, and systems which provide and expand access to high-quality summer learning experiences for all young people.

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Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free meals and snacks to low-income children during long school vacations when they do not have access to school lunch or breakfast. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reimburses organizations that provide a food service that complements a recreation or learning program planned for children.

The program provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served during summer youth programs in low-income areas.

Eligibility:

Schools, camps, government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible to participate as sponsors.

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Enrichment and Innovation Grants

The CSDE recently announced the recipients of the Department’s summer grant programs – Enrichment and Innovation Grants – which will deploy over $8.6M into communities, helping organizations deliver high-quality and accessible summer enrichment opportunities to children across Connecticut. We encourage school districts to partner with local organizations, building on their summer learning efforts, to maximize funding and leverage the state’s investment to serve as many students as possible. Expansion grants will offer up to $25,000 to local organizations that provide existing enrichment, and innovation grants will offer up to $250,000 to regional or statewide entities seeking to provide bold and innovative summer programming at scale.

Eligibility: School districts and community organizations

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Massachusetts Summer Learning Opportunities

The Baker-Polito Administration announced the availability of more than $70 million in funding and resources for school districts and community organizations to offer summer learning and recreational programs that will help students, who have been impacted by a year of remote and hybrid learning, grow academically and socially. Grant opportunities include Acceleration Academies, which allow students to learn and build skills working intensively on one subject in small, hands-on learning environments with excellent teachers; Summer School Matching Grants for school districts to offer 4-to-6-week, in-person programs with a mix of in-person academic and recreational activities; Summer Step Up, a program aimed at giving extra support to young learners entering school in the fall; among others.

Eligibility: School districts and community organizations

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Rekindling Curiosity Program

New Hampshire is using COVID-19 recovery funds to partner with New Hampshire camps and school-age summer programs for its Rekindling Curiosity program. Through the program, up to $650 per child in camp fees can be covered by the state Department of Education.

Eligibility: Eligible youth opportunities include recreation camps, residence camps and seasonal and year-roundday camps. A list of eligible youth recreation camps may be found by visiting https://nhcamps.org/for parents/camps-directory

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Ready Together Oklahoma

Ready Together Oklahoma, a $14 million intiative, utilizes the 1 percent set aside of state funds for summer enrichment and encourages summer programs to take a "whole child" holistic approach to aid student recovery, address academic loss and provide food, extracurricular activities, and mental health support.

Eligibility: Non-profit community organizations

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