After$chool Funding: Funding Spotlight: Michigan Invests In Afterschool

Michigan has never had enough afterschool or summer learning programs for all the families who want and need them. Statewide, 5 in 6 youth whose parents want to enroll them were missing out because programs are unavailable, too expensive, or inaccessible.

While the unmet demand among families continued to grow, so too has a strong network of afterschool supporters led by the Michigan Afterschool Partnership (MASP) that’s urging leaders to step up and close the gap. A recent funding spotlight, Michigan Invests in Afterschool, tells the story.

The Opportunity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MASP made a strong case for investing in afterschool and summer learning programs to address student learning loss and the increasing demand for care among families with children in grades K-8. In 2021, Michigan leaders responded by using $5 million in American Rescue Plan funding and $5 million in state funds to help more families access programs. This marked the first-ever dedicated funding in the state budget for afterschool and summer learning programs. The momentum created a critical opportunity for MASP to share data about the power of afterschool with lawmakers and push for a sustainable funding solution.

Seeing the need in communities, the state increased funding to $25 million in 2022. MASP worked closely with Governor Whitmer’s office and the Michigan Department of Education to create the 32n Out-of-School Time Grant Program to “improve school attendance, academic outcomes, positive behaviors, and skill acquisition of Michigan’s K–12 students.” A combination of state staff and MASP staff who are housed at the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) continue to manage and oversee the grants today.

Each year, MASP collects data about the impact of 32n and mobilizes advocates to educate decision-makers about how programs help students improve their grades, keep young people safe, and help parents work. The MASP team organized Capitol Day events that draw 300+ youth and providers, legislative site visits, and youth-led advocacy work to show leaders how programs help young people succeed in school, build life skills, and make a difference in their communities. Support for the grant program continued to grow and Michigan lawmakers increased the state’s investment—to $50 million in 2023 and $57 million in 2024—to reach and serve more students, especially those in under-resourced neighborhoods. In 2024, MASP and its partners launched a statewide public awareness campaign to build support for a universal afterschool and summer system. The campaign, All in Michigan: Afterschool for Every Child, engaged nearly 1,200 champions and earned more than 10 million impressions on social media in its first year.

These achievements reflect MASP’s years of careful work to build public and private partnerships and strong relationships with providers across the state. MASP has grown its network into a powerful statewide grassroots
coalition that is equipped and ready to make afterschool opportunities available for every Michigan youth.

The Result

Michigan has steadily increased its investment in afterschool over five consecutive years. In FY2026, state leaders approved $75 million for the 32n grant program under MiLEAP. Data from FY2025 show that more than 56,000 Michigan students benefited from 32n-funded programs that offered literacy, workforce development, tutoring, career and technical education, STEM learning, and more.