NC CAP funding pages will help providers:

• Understand different types of funding available to afterschool programs
• Connect to potential funders
• Acquire tools for a competitive edge in the grant-seeking world

 To learn more about the types of funding available and to link to potential funders, visit the Federal, State, Local, and Business and Foundation pages.

To connect to some tools that may help in securing funding, click on the links and articles below.

Announcements:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act presents several funding opportunities for afterschool. A detailed outline of these sources, as well as other resources, is available on our Effective Practices page, under Funding and Sustainability. The Afterschool Alliance has also created a wiki page with current information on the ARRA. Continue to check this website for up-to-date information on stimulus dollars and ideas on how to spend them. Also, in response to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or Recovery Act, Grant-making agencies are posting Recovery Act specific grant opportunities on Grants.gov.


Summer Learning Day - June 21 - but your events don't have to happen just on the day...host throughout the summer!
The National Summer Learning Association is celebrating summer learning and encourages programs across the nation to do the same. How? A high-energy pep rally at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina. Free books for kids in Oklahoma City. A celebration on Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. These are just a few of events occurring across the nation as communities raise awareness about the importance of high-quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of youth and their families. Visit the website to learn more about what you can do with your programs this summer!


  STEMester of Service Grants (New Eligible States; Deadline Extended)
Youth Service America has extended its deadline for the STEMester of Service program to August 20 to allow time for educators to get back to school and apply. Funded by Learn and Serve America, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, STEMester of Service incorporates YSA's semester-long service-learning framework to engage educators and students in addressing critical environmental and disaster preparedness needs and connecting them to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curricula. YSA is seeking middle schools with large populations of disadvantaged youth; STEM schools must be located in one of the 19 states with highest dropout rates (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming). The $5,000 grant (that includes travel and training at YSA's Youth Service Institute in Detroit in October) supports teachers as they engage local partners and guide students in addressing local needs through planning and implementing sustainable service projects that launch on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 17, 2011) and culminate on Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17, 2011). .

NEW ELIGIBLE STATES: The STEMester of Service grant program targets states with the highest dropout rates. Based on the most recent dropout rate data released last month, YSA has added 7 states to the list of eligible states, including: the District of Columbia, California, Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. Middle schools in these states, in addition to those in the original 12 states, are eligible. 

2010 LEGO® Smart™ Creativity Contest
LEGO® Education is inviting K-12 teachers and home educators from across the United States to register as contestants for the 2010 LEGO® Smart™ Creativity Contest, challenging classrooms coast to coast to become LEGO Smart! If you are a teacher, home educator, after-school program director, or otherwise working with students (K-12) within the education field, you are eligible to compete in this year's contest. The 2010 contest, including prize information and contest rules, will be emailed to all pre-registered contestants on Monday, August 2, 2010. Register at the Lego Education website.

Pre-Registration Deadline: July 30


UnitedHealth HEROES Grants (Application Available August 2)
The UnitedHealth HEROES program is a service-learning, health literacy initiative developed by UnitedHealth Group and Youth Service America. The program awards grants of up to $1,000 to help young people create and implement local, hands-on programs to fight childhood obesity. Each grant engages participating youth in service-learning, an effective teaching and learning strategy that supports student learning, academic achievement and workplace readiness. To date, UnitedHealth Group has awarded 361 grants to schools and youth-focused, community-based organizations in 35 states and the District of Columbia. UnitedHealth Group and Youth Service America are excited to announce that the next round of the UnitedHealth HEROES grant program will be open to applicants from all 50 states.The grants, available August 2, 2010, encourage semester-long projects that launch on Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service in January and culminate on Global Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2011. Schools, service-learning coordinators, nonprofits, and students in the health professions located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply. The application will be available August 2.


John Rex Endowment Grants - Capacity Building Initiatives in Wake County
The John Rex Endowment Capacity Building Initatives portfolio focuses on longer-term solutions for Wake County agencies through offering resources to invest in activities to build capacity. The purpose of this initiative is two-fold:

1.To strengthen the capacity of nonprofits that address the health-related needs of underserved children and youth in Wake County, and thus
2.Ensure that organizations can sustain the work that is a match with the Endowment's mission of improving the health and well-being of children and youth.

Agencies may apply for either an organizational assessment or a capacity-building grant.

Capacity Building Funding is made available through the Endowment’s Capacity Building Initiative. Capacity building projects may focus on one or more of these organizational development areas: mission, vision, and strategy; governance and leadership; resource development; strategic relationships; internal operations and management; and program delivery and impact.

Organizational Assessments Funding is made available through the Endowment’s Capacity Building Initiative. Organizational assessments are intended to help organizations identify strengths and assets, as well as areas that would benefit from ongoing capacity building work.

Both applications require an email notification of intent by July 13, 2010. Full proposals are due August 17, 2010. Click on the above links for more information on each.


Open Meadows Foundation Grants
Open Meadows Foundation makes grants for projects that are led by and benefit women and girls, particularly those from vulnerable communities. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for projects that: are designed and implemented by women and girls; promote building community power; promote gender, racial, social, economic and/or environmental justice; reflect the diversity of the community served; and have limited financial access. Grants are made to international organizations (based outside the U.S.), as well as organizations/projects within the United States. All applicants must provide evidence of nonprofit registration. The next application deadline is August 14, 2010.


American Honda Foundation Grants
The American Honda Foundation is making available one-year grants from $20,000 to $60,000 for youth education and scientific education. Educational institutions, including K-12, colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools are eligible, as well as nonprofit organizations and other foundations. "Scientific education" encompasses physical and life sciences, mathematics and the environmental sciences. The American Honda Foundation was founded to make grants to worthy national nonprofit causes, programs and organizations that directly benefit the people of the United States.

Since its inception, the American Honda Foundation has provided more than 401 grants for more than $18.1 million. To be considered for possible funding, programs related to youth and scientific education should:
• Be dedicated to improving the human condition of all mankind;
• Be soundly managed and administered by enthusiastic and dedicated individuals;
• Look to the future;
• Offer innovative and creative programs that propose untried methods which ultimately may result in providing solutions to complex cultural, educational, scientific and social concerns;
• Ensure a broad scope, intent, impact and outreach;
• Possess a high potential for success with a relatively low incidence of duplication of effort;
• Operate from a position of financial soundness;
• Be in urgent need of funding from a priority basis (not necessarily financial need); and
• Represent a minimal risk in terms of venture capital investment.

For further information visit the American Honda Foundation website. Different deadlines apply - upcoming is August 1, 2010.

Connect a Million Minds Initiative
As Time Warner Cable continues their Connect a Million Minds initiative to support STEM programming in out of school time opportunities, they have available funding for middle school afterschool STEM programming. Funds from this grant will allow organizations to provide high-quality STEM programming to the youth that they serve. Click here to apply for the Connect a Million Minds funding. Applications are on a rolling basis, but programs are encouraged to apply soon while funds are still available. If you have questions about this funding, contact Dan Ballister (dan.ballister@twcable.com) or Stephanie Richin (Stephanie.richin@twcable.com).

Programs are also encouraged to join the Time Warner Cable connectory – a great resource to publicize STEM events and look for volunteers. Time Warner Cable employee volunteers are constantly looking for new volunteer opportunities with afterschool programs.


Ashoka and Staples, Inc. – Global Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition
Ashoka, a global community of leading social entrepreneurs, and Staples, Inc. have announced the launch of the fourth annual Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition. The competition is open to existing and new Youth Venture teams made up of young people between the ages of 12 and 24 whose entrepreneurial ventures are making a positive impact on communities. Youth Venture teams are designed to identify and foster young entrepreneurs all over the world who are creating positive change. Eight winners will be chosen throughout the summer, and in October the grand-prize winner will be selected for their outstanding impact, innovation, and potential. The grand-prize winning team will be awarded a prize worth $5,000. The seven remaining winners will each receive Achievement Awards and prizes worth $500.

Deadline: September 20, 2010


Finish Line Youth Foundation Grants
Finish Line, an athletic retailer specializing in brand name footwear, apparel and accessories, supports athletic and wellness programs located in communities where their stores are located. The foundation funds projects registered as 501 (c) (3) organizations; have a primary focus on assisting children and young adults 18 and under; concentrate on athletics or wellness; and benefit communities in which Finish Line stores are located. For more information, visit their website.

Deadline: Rolling Quarterly Reviews; Upcoming is September 30, 2010


KaBOOM! Play Day Grants
Roll up your sleeves and play! Host a KaBOOM! Play Day, presented by Mott's, in your neighborhood and be part of a national celebration to save play in the lives of children. A Play Day is your chance to gather at your community's favorite park or playground for fun games and service projects that celebrate and improve your play space. If you include an improvement project at your Play Day you could win a $10,000 grant to further improve your play space. The KaBOOM! Play Day website helps you plan for your big day. You can watch YouTube videos with planning tips, print the set of game and activity cards, and post in the Scrapbook. Plan your Play Day to take place on any day during the week of September 18-26. Learn more at: http://kaboom.org/playday

(Deadline: Ongoing Through October)


WaysToHelp.org Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)
WaysToHelp.org invites teens in the United States to apply for grants to fund their community service ideas across any one of 16 issue areas. You can apply for a grant, by visiting www.waystohelp.org and for any issue area, selecting "See Ways To Help" followed by "Apply for a Grant". Applications are short - just 5,000 words or less - and should summarize: how the project will involve others, who it will help, what effect it's expected to have, when it will start and how the funds will be used. Grant requests are reviewed and responded to on a monthly basis. 

 
Baseball Tomorrow Fund Grants
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association designed to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball. Grants are intended to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment necessary for youth baseball or softball programs. Projects must meet the following criteria: increase the number of youth participating in baseball and softball programs; improve the quality of youth baseball and softball programs; create new or innovative ways of expanding and improving baseball or softball programs; are able to match funds for programs; provide programs for children between the ages of 10 and 16; support existing programs that have demonstrated success in providing a quality youth baseball/softball experience; and address opportunities for minorities and women. Nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations involved in youth baseball programs are encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. For more information, visit their website.

Deadline: Open; requires Letters of Inquiry
 

Pepsi Refresh Project
Pepsi is hosting a grants program focusing on health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods, and education. Each month in 2010, Pepsi will fund 32 projects, ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Public votes are taken through their website. Proposals are being accepted as of January 13, and full details are available on the Pepsi Refresh Project website.


Kinder Morgan Grants to Youth Programs
Kinder Morgan Foundation gives to nonprofit youth programs that focus on education, the arts and the environment.  "Every year, our grants support thousands of youth in communities large and small across North America."  Grants are between $1,000 and $5,000.  Deadlines are the 10th of every other month beginning in January. For more information, visit the Foundation's website.
 

Build-A-Bear Workshop Giving Programs
The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation supports charities in the United States and Canada through the following special grant programs:
Children's Health & Wellness: Champ-A Champion Fur Kids grants provide direct support for children in the areas of health and wellness. Grant request deadlines are at the end of April, July, and October.
Literacy and Education: Grants provide support for children in literacy and education programs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of February, May, August, and November.
In addition, organizations seeking unrestricted support for children, families, and animals or for wild animals and the environment are encouraged to apply for grants through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation, a nonprofit organization. Grants range between $1,000 and $10,000 each.
Click here for more information on all of these grants.


Starbucks Shared Planet Youth Action Grants
The Starbucks Shared Planet Youth Action Grants are designed to help young people realize their natural potential to reinvent their local communities. The Starbucks Foundation accepts applications from organizations that provide young people (ages 6-24) with a continuum of service opportunities in social entrepreneurship. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000.  Check our their website in the Fall of 2010 for information about submitting Letters of Inquiry for the 2011 Grant Cycle. 


Engaging the Innovation Grants
The Motorola Foundation has opened the application process for $7.5 million in grants to U.S. science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs through its signature Innovation Generation grants program in 2010. Aligning closely with U.S. President Barack Obama's 'Educate to Innovate' campaign, the Motorola Foundation's Innovation Generation program incorporates funding, employee volunteers and intra-grantee collaboration to boost American student engagement in STEM. Check out their website in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2010 for information about the 2011 Grant Cycle.


Student Science Enrichment Program
Student Science Enrichment Program (SSEP) awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years to nonprofit organizations serving North Carolina primary and secondary students. SSEP awards support career-oriented and practical programs intended to provide creative science enrichment activities for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who have shown exceptional skills and interest in science and mathematics, as well as those perceived to have high potential. Check out the Burroughs Wellcome Fund website for information on their 2011 Grant Cycle.

GoodSearch for Your Charity
You search, they give!  GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.

Go to goodsearch.com to sign your charity up, or enter NC CAP in the charity box if you want donations to go to us. Just 500 people searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! And, be sure to spread the word! 



Monthly Funding Tip from The Finance Project
Maximizing Revenues – Use Data to Communicate Impact to Funders
In this era of accountability, funders are increasingly looking to support youth programs that can concretely demonstrate that their services improve the lives of children and families. To maximize the potential to generate revenue, youth programs need to collect data tied to outcomes to communicate the impact of their work. This funding tip presents strategies that can help youth programs increase capacity to collect good outcome data, and use this data to communicate with funders about the results they achieved.

What is outcome data and why is it important for youth programs?
Outcome data is information that measures the results achieved by a program. The data can be quantitative (e.g., improved student test scores) or qualitative (e.g., testimonials from youth or parents). Good data is essential to helping youth programs internally evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and improve their services.

Program leaders should think carefully about what data they want to collect. For example, do leaders want to document satisfaction with services; the impact on staff or families, or the impact on youth attendance or personal behaviors? Equally important is that leaders plan ahead for how they will use the data, for example, to make improvements in the program, to include in funding reports or promotional materials, or to contribute to other data systems collecting information on youth. Increasingly, states and communities are developing integrated data warehouses that allow different entities to share data, thereby creating a richer data source.

Outcome data can help youth program leaders clearly articulate the impact of their work, which can improve their capacity to generate new revenues.

Strategies to collect data
Youth programs can collect and analyze data by utilizing their in-house capacities and engaging external support.

In-house data collection strategies
• Client surveys can help youth programs collect basic outcome data. Surveys are a relatively easy and inexpensive way to collect concrete information on the strengths and weakness of a program or service.
• Program Assessments provide a more structured method to collect data on a program’s quality. Some assessments can be conducted by program staff, as self-assessments; and other require specialized training or validation by an outside observer. Several tools provide guidance on conducting program assessments. The Forum for Youth Investment has developed a guide that highlights 10 assessment tools for youth programs.
• Data collection software is available to help programs collect and organize outcome data. These software also help to generate reports for varied purposes and audiences, minimizing staff time on data entry or report development. For example, the Results Scorecard  and Efforts to Outcomes  are online software that help public and non-profit organizations track and analyze data.

Engaging external support
• Formal program evaluations are required when utilizing some funding sources, particularly federal funds. Additionally, some youth-serving organizations choose to engage external evaluators to conduct formal assessments of their work. Though conducting a formal evaluation can be time consuming and more costly than conducting an evaluation on your own, these efforts may pay for themselves by helping a program improve its services and attract new funding.
• Technical assistance providers can support youth programs in their data collection and analysis efforts. For example, the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality helps youth programs set meaningful improvement goals based on data and enact new practices.
• Forming partnerships with other organizations and agencies can allow youth programs to integrate their data collection efforts into those of larger systems. For example, youth programs can partner with schools, local universities and research institutions, or local social service agencies to share data about the youth they serve. These partnerships can greatly increase a program’s capacity to collect and analyze data. For example, in the Grand Rapids region of Michigan, The Community Research Institute (CRI) gathers, analyzes, and communicates data through partnerships with local non-profit organizations to assist leaders with decision making, grant writing, and program evaluation. CRI also issues an annual community survey to obtain local data that guides non-profit leader’s decision making.

Strategies to communicate data
While collecting and analyzing data can help youth programs improve the quality of their services and potentially, the results achieved for youth, communicating outcome data in a powerful way can also help attract donors and funders. Programs should consider how they can use data to tell a story that will resonate with a specific audience or funder. Additionally, promising outcomes are more powerful when program leaders can articulate exactly how they are achieving those results. For example, if surveys indicate that a program reduces substance abuse among youth, leaders should communicate exactly how services or program activities are achieving this result.

Youth program leaders can communicate data through a variety of formats including:
• Program brochures or one-pager flyers
• E-blasts
• A “results” page on the program’s website
• Annual reports
• Reports from formal evaluations
• Funding proposals

Funding data collection efforts Youth programs can directly access several federal funding sources that can improve their capacity to collect, analyze and communicate data. For example the federal Strengthening Communities Fund currently supports capacity-building services for non-profit organizations, including the development of formal evaluations and assessments of program outcomes.

Additionally many large federal funding sources that typically flow through state agencies can support data collection efforts, including:
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• Workforce Data Quality Initiative

While these funding sources are more likely to support system-wide data collection efforts in a state or locality, individual youth programs may be able to access these funds through state or local agencies. Youth programs can search for information about these and other federal funding sources at the Finance Project’s Federal Funding Database.


Financing and Sustaining Youth Programs
The Finance Project’s Youth Programs Resource Center provides information and tools on financing and sustaining youth programs, policies and systems. Click on the links below to view these new funding tips and promising practice profiles that highlight timely information about new funding sources and financing strategies that can help youth programs sustain their work.

PROMISING PRACTICE PROFILES
Financing and Sustaining Summer Youth Employment Programs
This promising practice profile highlights effective strategies that three localities have used to finance and sustain summer youth employment efforts. Youth program leaders in New York City, Seattle-King County, and Hartford, Connecticut successfully engaged partners, utilized technology, and blended an array of funding sources to expand their summer youth employment programs in 2009. The profile highlights how other localities can replicate some of these strategies in the summer of 2010 and beyond.

Financing and Sustaining Afterschool Programming: LA’s Best
This promising practice profile focuses on LA’s BEST’s organizational and fiscal practices that have resulted in a successful and innovative approach to afterschool enrichment, in part due to the partnership with the city and Los Angeles Unified School District. The LA’s BEST partnership model makes it eligible for funding streams that would otherwise be unavailable, allows it to share administrative costs and ensures that quality afterschool programs remain a priority on the city’s education agenda.

FUNDING TIPS:
Using TANF American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds to Support Summer Food Service Programs
Two federal agencies recently announced that they will allow TANF funding received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to be used to support the Summer Food Service Program. This funding tip highlights how organizations implementing Summer Food Service Programs can access TANF funds to expand and improve their services.

Accessing Federal Funding – Promise Neighborhoods
On April 30th, 2010 the US Department of Education officially launched the Promise Neighborhoods Program, which will provide grants of to plan comprehensive antipoverty projects in urban neighborhoods, rural areas, or tribal communities. While grant applications are due on June 25, 2010, the Obama administration’s 2011 budget request includes funding for another round of planning and implementation grants. This funding tip provides information and resources for organizations considering accessing these funds.


Tools for Securing Funding

Grants for Community, Health and Education Projects
"The RGK Foundation is offering grants up to $25,000 for community, education and health projects including youth development, community improvement, abuse prevention and educational enrichment programs." Letters of inquiry are accepted year-round.

Tapping the US Department of Justice and SAMHSA to Support Afterschool
Two new funding notes provide an overview of funding opportunities for afterschool programs from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Publications describe examples of programs currently accessing these funds and tips for programs interested in doing so.  Visit site for free downloads of these new resources.

The Finance Project

Cutting Cost and Keeping Quality: Financing Strategies for Youth-Serving Organizations in a Difficult Economy
Due to the economic downturn, many youth-serving organizations are facing budget reductions while also experiencing increased demand for their services. To maintain high-quality services with limited resources, youth-serving organizations need to embrace a strategic and proactive approach to their financial management.

This brief highlights financing strategies that successful youth-serving organizations are using to maintain quality services despite difficult economic times. Drawing on interviews with leaders of 17 successful youth programs, the brief illustrates how organizations have aggressively managed costs, creatively generated new revenues, and created partnerships to mitigate the effects of funding cuts. In-depth examples help leaders understand how to implement and adapt these strategies to their unique context. 

Grantwriting Tools for Nonprofits
This Non-profit Guides website is designed to assist established non-profit organizations through the private and public grant-writing process.  

The Foundation Center
This is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy.  Use this website to find all types of funders and grantwriting resouces.

Awards Offered to Youth Service
This comprehensive list of funding sources is a compliation of awards offered by companies, agencies, government, and schools around the U.S. related to all aspects and ages of youth service. 

The Grantsmanship Center
This site offers information on federal funding, a database of community foundations by state, and grantwriting training to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Funding and Policy
This brief by the Forum for Youth Investment examines blending funding streams to ensure that out-of-school programs have sufficient and stable resources. 

Initial List of Tutoring Services & Afterschool Program Providers that could provide supplemental services under Title I
The Council of Chief State School Officers created a tentative list, including contact information, of tutoring services and afterschool program providers that may serve as providers of Supplemental Services under Title I. 

Supplemental Educational Services
This article prepared for the Education Trust discusses Title I funding for supplemental educational services.  The article explains eligible schools and students, notification of parents, duration of supplemental services, paying for services, and district and state responsibilities. 

Title I Supplemental Educational Services and Afterschool Programs: Opportunities and Challenges
This brief by The Finance Project discusses the benefits and challenges of afterschool programs becoming supplemental services providers.  The article is designed to help afterschool program administrators understand what supplemental services are, consider the implications of becoming a provider, and identify the steps necessary to become a successful provider.   

Common Core of Data: Information on Public Schools and School Districts
The U.S. Department of Education's Common Core of Data (CCD) is a database on public elementary and secondary education.  The site provides comprehensive, annual, national statistics that are comparable across all states.  General descriptive information on schools (approximately 95,000 are included) and school districts (approximately 17,000 are included), data on students and staff, and fiscal data are included.  Users can create customized tables using data from multiple years.  
 
Making the Case
This fact sheet published by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time provides statistics on the benefits of participation in afterschool programs. 

eSchool News Funding Center
The Center provides information on grant programs and funding sources for schools. School based or linked afterschool programs may be eligible for some of these grant programs.

Financing and Sustaining Out-of-School Time and Community School Initiatives
This initiative of The Finance Project provides information on funding technical assistance and resources.  The website includes information on mobilizing communities, measuring and using results, finding funding, planning for sustainability, and developing partnerships.  The project also highlights profiles of successful financing strategies. 

Using the Workforce Investment Act to Support Out-of-School Time Initiatives
This strategy brief by The Finance Project explains the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), outlines strategies for leveraging WIA funds and provides examples of afterschool programs that benefit from WIA support.  WIA links youth development and youth employment, in keeping with research, which is the most effective way to attract and retain youth.  Afterschool programs can benefit from this opportunity by accessing funds for both staffing and services. 

Proposal Writing Short Course
The Foundation Center's two-part guide helps grantwriters through the process of writing a proposal. 

Grant Proposal.com
This site provides resources for both inexperienced and advanced nonprofit grant writers.  Topics include research, inquiry letters, full proposals, advice from funders, and hundreds of tips. 

Grantionary
The Grantionary lists grant-related terms and their definitions. 

Grant Writing Tips
SchoolGrants has compiled a helpful set of grant writing tips for those who need help in developing grant proposals. 

Using an Online Auction to Raise Program Funds
The National Service Resource Center's Effective Practices Collection offers tips on using a free online auction service.  The process requires a minimal number of volunteers, could be successful in a fairly rural area and has the potential of raising a minimum of $5,000. 

Using NCLB Funds to Support Extended Learning Time
This strategy brief from the Finance Project and the Council of Chief State School Officers describes how six major funding streams included in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) can support extended learning opportunities. 'Using NCLB Funds to Support Extended Learning Time: Opportunities for Afterschool Programs' provides important context for those seeking to access these funding streams, and includes a  discussion of strategies, considerations and tips for accessing each source.

Profiles of Successful Afterschool Financing Strategies: 2005
The Finance Project profiles the innovative approaches of the Ella J. Baker House in Boston and Heads Up in Washington D.C.   Learn from the promising practices they use to secure funding and sustain their initiatives.  These are the latest in a series by The Finance Project highlighting effective strategies for financing afterschool programs.   Review all 18 profiles at: http://www.financeproject.org/irc/ost/profiles.asp