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After$chool Funding: Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)

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After$chool Funding: Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)

Welcome to our series on funding and sustainability for afterschool and summer learning programs! We will be sharing information about top funding streams and how to access them every Friday during this campaign. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to make sure you get regular updates.

Out-of-school time programs are essential pillars in their communities, providing a safe space for young people, support for working families, and access to nutritious snacks and meals. For young people experiencing homelessness, these supports are essential. The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) is a federal program that provides funding for states and districts to better support students and families experiencing homelessness, with emphasis on promoting academic success and equal learning opportunities. Through EHCY, programs can tap into funding if they employ a teacher or qualified individual that offers tutoring, homework assistance, and other education activities for students experiencing homelessness.

Quick facts about EHCY:

  • Who controls the money: The state education agency's coordinator for homeless education awards EHCY grants to school districts and charter schools.
     
  • Who is eligible: Out-of-school time programs where a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and other educational activities; or support coordination activities between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths.
     
  • How do programs apply for assistance: Programs must partner with school districts that are applying for, or have, EHCY grants. For more information and to learn how to partner with school districts to support homeless children and youth, contact your state coordinator for homeless education.
     
  • How much is a typical grant: Amounts vary. State education agencies award subgrants through competitive applications, based on need and the quality of the application.
     
  • How long is the grant: Grants at the local level are 3 years.

Through EHCY, the HARNESS program in Portsmouth, Virginia provides essential resources to help homeless young people access equal education opportunities. The program, offered through Portsmouth Public Schools, provides after school tutoring, transportation to and from school, and other essential services necessary for youth to learn and thrive.

Further west, Nottoway Public Schools leveraged EHCY grant funding to implement a structured program to better reach and support homeless youth and families. The OUTREACH program outlines eight key pillars: Offering support (to homeless families and children); understanding needs (through professional development and through counseling/support sessions); training others (by reaching beyond Nottoway schools staff members to other service agencies); recognizing signs (in order to identify the academic and affective needs of children); educating (through communicating the specific needs of children and provide appropriate education); and creating hope (by utilizing federal, state and local tools/programs to accomplish the goals of the program).

To learn more about EHCY and funding streams available to help you sustain your out-of-school time program, check out our new sustainability page!

After$chool funding: 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Welcome to our series on funding and sustainability for afterschool and summer learning programs! We will be sharing information about top funding streams and how to access them every Friday during this campaign. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to make sure you get regular updates. When an...

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$1.8M awarded to middle-school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2024 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its eighth year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $11.55 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      07/23/24

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

Up to $30k for programs improving family literacy, engagement, leadership

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BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/18/23

Check your afterschool program's eligibility for Yield Giving grants

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BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/11/23

Workforce Pathways for Youth grants available

In March, the Department of Labor published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Workforce Pathways for Youth Grants. A pre-recorded applicant webinar will be available by April 14, 2023 and applications will be due May 19, 2023. The grants offer up to $2 million to national out-of-school time...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/07/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

$1.8M awarded to middle-school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2024 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its eighth year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $11.55 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      07/23/24

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

$1.8M awarded to middle school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2023 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its seventh year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $9.75 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Dan Gilbert      06/21/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

$1.8M awarded to middle-school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2024 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its eighth year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $11.55 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      07/23/24

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

$1.8M awarded to middle school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2023 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its seventh year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $9.75 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Dan Gilbert      06/21/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22