New Grant Opportunity for Georgia’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs!

by | Jul 28, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

ANNOUNCEMENT

New Grant Opportunity for Georgia’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs!

Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Grant

Afterschool and summer learning programs have an important role to play in the long-term recovery and support of Georgia’s children and families, as well as in addressing learning loss. Across the state, community-based youth development organizations have been and are prepared to continue providing:  

  • emergency childcare and youth development programming,   
  • connectedness and wellbeing supports,   
  • academic acceleration and distance learning support,   
  • enrichment programming,   
  • device and connectivity support, and   
  • basic needs support including food services and delivery.   

In order to ensure that such programming is widely available and of a caliber that will promote recovery and future academic and whole child developmental success, the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) is proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Education to administer $85 million over three years for afterschool and summer learning in Georgia. Funding for the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants program has been made available through the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law by President Biden in March of 2021.  

The BOOST grants program will offer three-year grants, renewed annually, to community-based organizations that operate comprehensive out-of-school time (OST) programming year-round, over the summer months, or after school during the academic year. The goal is to provide evidence-based afterschool and summer enrichment programming that supports students in learning skills and concepts and provides whole child supports, thus removing non-academic barriers to learning for students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will support students’ learning, connectedness and well-being, utilizing a whole child approach.

Purpose

  • Expand access to serve more youth, with an emphasis on students and communities most impacted by the pandemic,

  • Reduce barriers, such as transportation and enrollment costs, to ensure access for all, and/or   

  • Increase programmatic quality and expand or enhance supports and services offered. 

The BOOST grants program will prioritize:

  • Programs that serve youth with disabilities, youth experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, English language learners, youth receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and migratory youth 

  • Programs that have operated summer and/or afterschool programming in the past three years 

  • Sites located in communities with no current programs receiving government funds through 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program or the Afterschool Care Program (list of counties)  

  • Programs offering programming 5 days a week

The RFP with detailed information on eligibility requirements, timeline, the application process, and application questions will be available on GSAN’s website on Tuesday, July 27. An optional applicant workshop/information session will be held on Monday, August 9 at 11:00 am. Register here for the workshop. We will record and post the session to our website for those unable to attend and will develop an FAQ document.

The BOOST application will open on Thursday, August 5 and will close on Thursday, August 19 at 5:00 pm. Click here to learn more about the BOOST grants program and to register for the workshop.

Two types of grants will be administered:

  • Organizations with Statewide Reach and Impact – Grants will be awarded to entities with a demonstrated track record of success, that operate year-round programming and will serve at least 2,000 youth annually across at least 15 counties.     
  • Community-Based Organizations – Grants will be awarded to community-based organizations operating afterschool and/or summer learning programs. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email BOOST@georgiavoices.org.

Read more and apply on the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network Website.

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