Best Grants for After School Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits and schools running after-school or out-of-school youth programs, or operating food banks and pantries, can access funding through Aldi Foundation’s Community Gift Card Program. Awards of US $100 - US $1,000 are provided as gift cards to purchase essential products for youth development and food security efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or youth development programs in Pennsylvania and the broader Northeast can apply for grants up to US $2,500 to support local program needs. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation prioritizes small, well-run groups with limited assets and government funding that relieve suffering for people or animals in need.

After-school and summer educational program providers in Pennsylvania serving at-risk school-age youth can seek funding to expand structured out-of-school time opportunities and support violence prevention efforts. Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency offers BOOST grants ranging from US $250,000 - US $1,500,000 for local and statewide OST projects.

The Grable Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in the Pittsburgh area by supporting early learning, public education, out-of-school programs, and community resources. By investing in innovative educational initiatives and family-friendly activities, the foundation strives to create an environment where children can thrive, explore, and reach their full potential. Their work fosters collaboration among educators, families, and community organizations to ensure every child has access to high-quality learning experiences and support.

Public schools and educational organizations in Pennsylvania offering innovative, technology-focused or enrichment programs can seek funding for after-school or extended-year initiatives that go beyond regular school curricula. Focused on educational innovation, Wayne Community Foundation invites Wayne County programs to propose seed, transitional, or collaborative projects that enhance instruction, upgrade technology, or create specialized learning environments.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running education-focused after school or school-readiness programs for students in the City of Erie, PA can apply for grants of US $25,000 - US $150,000. With a mission to strengthen communities through education, Erie Insurance supports programs aligning out-of-school activities with curricula and improving school readiness, including subcontracted services.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in Pennsylvania can access funding for specific, tangible community projects, including after school and summer educational programs. North East Community Foundation provides support for initiatives that benefit the North East community, with past grants spanning education, basic health and safety needs, and efforts that enrich local culture and community life.

Pennsylvania nonprofit human service organizations running programs in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, or Westmoreland counties that support basic needs, financial stability, or youth success can seek multi-year support for specific programs, including related admin and staff costs. These United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania grants can back after school and out-of-school initiatives that fit its investment priorities.

Pennsylvania after-school and youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation to support educational enrichment, job readiness, and related services for economically or educationally disadvantaged people. The foundation also offers program-related investments and grants for housing, child care, health access, community development, and merit-based scholarships, including work in the U.S., Central and South America, and Africa.

State education affiliates in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, awarding up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator position. Funding supports implementation of the American Rescue Plan for public education, which may benefit after school and extended learning programs.

After-school and summer educational programs in Pennsylvania serving grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom sets to combine physical activity with academic enrichment. Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s program supports classrooms and out-of-school sites, prioritizing public schools and programs with the greatest socioeconomic and academic need across the U.S.

Nonprofit arts education and arts and culture organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region can apply for William Penn Foundation’s multi-year funding to expand out-of-school, community-based arts education for youth ages 5–18. Eligible 501(c)(3)s in Philadelphia and nearby counties offering after-school or summer arts programs may benefit, especially those with culturally relevant, partnership-driven models.

Out-of-school time programs serving middle school youth, including those in Pennsylvania, can receive US $20,000 in one-year general operating support to strengthen afterschool or summer learning. The New York Life Foundation’s Aim High grants back programs helping low-income or disadvantaged students successfully transition to high school with strong engagement and impact data.

McElhattan Foundation provides Pennsylvania after-school and summer learning programs with flexible funding for high-quality out-of-school-time education in Allegheny County. Community-based 501(c)(3) organizations serving primarily K–8 children in poverty or children of color can seek general operating, project, or capacity-building support to expand access, improve program quality, and strengthen the OST field.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEAM workshops or ad-hoc tech programming for teens ages 13–19 can apply for up to US $24,999 from Best Buy Foundation. Focused on youth tech skills, the program invites partners whose coding, filmmaking, game design, music production, photography, or robotics offerings could supplement after school programs in Pennsylvania and other eligible locations.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Pennsylvania interested in chemistry-focused summer learning can receive paid research internships and scholarships through the Project SEED Fellowship. With a mission to provide STEM research and growth opportunities, American Chemical Society offers 8–10 week lab experiences, mentoring, and potential multi-year college scholarships for students meeting income and coursework requirements.

With a mission to advance childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation provides Pennsylvania after-school and summer educational programs at universities or medical centers with support for student summer research fellowships. Undergraduate, graduate, or medical students can receive US $5,000, paid to a mentor’s institution, to work in a pediatric oncology setting over the summer.

Allegheny County 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering out-of-school time education programs can seek US $10,000 - US $75,000 to support student-centered learning and academic enrichment. Pittsburgh Foundation funds culturally responsive OST activities, tutoring, post-secondary planning, and education quality improvements that benefit low-income students and those facing housing insecurity or other basic-needs challenges in Pennsylvania.

After-school and youth sports educators in Pennsylvania promoting girls’ and women’s participation and leadership in sport can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award, a US $1,000 grant for projects like research, after-school programs, or professional development. Society of Health and Physical Educators requires applicants to be current SHAPE America members.

The Day-End Dough-Nation® Program by Panera Bread exemplifies community generosity through the donation of unsold bakery products to local charities. This impactful initiative supports various organizations that distribute food to those in need, including shelters, health centers, and youth programs. By partnering with thousands of non-profits nationwide, Panera Bread not only reduces food waste but also plays a crucial role in addressing hunger and promoting equality within communities.

Wegmans Family Foundation Inc focuses on cultivating healthy communities through support for hunger relief, health initiatives, education, and youth programs. They prioritize collaborations with local nonprofits to enhance community well-being, offering assistance in key areas like economic mobility and youth engagement. Despite their wide-ranging support, they have specific ineligibility criteria, such as not accommodating personal requests or solicitation on their property, aiming to direct resources effectively where they are needed most.

Pathway to Careers, a Sedona/Verde Valley CTE Scholarship Summer Courses

This fund is designed to meet the employment needs of the Sedona/Verde Valley area communities through the establishment of a new career pathway. The Fund supports any Sedona/Verde Valley high school graduate currently residing in Sedona/Verde Valley who is already attending, or plans to attend, an accredited community college or technical/vocational school in pursuit of an Associate's degree, license, or certificate.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. In addition to the monetary award, students join a thriving network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

Young Scholars Program

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.

Program Experience

Educational Advisers support Young Scholars to maximize high school experiences and to go on to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. Our programming and support may include:

• Identifying an appropriately rigorous high school.
• Engaging in four-year planning and goal-setting.
• Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons, supplemental academic classes and technology.
• Annual summer programs, including two required Young Scholar programs.
• Year-round Young Scholars community programming.
• Networking opportunities with a high-achieving peer community.

Hungry for Music

The Hungry for Music story began in 1992, when Founder and Director Jeff Campbell (in photo) organized a street musician concert to benefit the homeless. Within three years, he formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to expanding opportunities in music for children.

Since then, Hungry for Music has placed more than 27,000 instruments into the hands of aspiring musicians. Children whose trajectory has been altered by the uplifting and life-changing gift of music.

We've delivered everything from guitars and trombones to violins and xylophones to kids in 50 states and 35 countries.

We collect and redistribute more than 2,000 instruments annually and, in our 31-year journey, we've become a full-time force for good in the musical community.

Request an Instrument

Hungry for Music collects and distributes instruments including brass, woodwinds, strings, electric keyboards, drums and other percussion, as well as amps and accessories.

Who Hungry for Music Helps

• Music teachers at Title One schools who identify children who cannot participate because of lack of funding.
• Music directors at innovative after-school music programs.
• Social workers who have young clients who would benefit from music therapy.

We only accept requests from public school music teachers, administrators, after-school/summer music program directors, and social workers. 

In our history, we have supported music programs in 40 different countries through stateside sponsors (i.e. business, school, church). We do not accept requests directly from international programs.

After-School & Summer Programs

Hungry for Music supports more than three dozen after-school/summer music programs annually across the United States. To be added to our distribution, a site visit is required.

Our Mission

The Horner Foundation is a family-based charity dedicated to partnering with community-based organizations that provide youth, aged 10-19, hands-on experiential learning opportunities through Out of School Time (OST) to foster positive youth development.

We work in 4 geographic regions, determined by where family members live, their specific interests and needs identified by the community.

Our Vision

• All youth will be empowered to realize their full potential and become active participants in their communities.
• All youth will have ample opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to experience a diversity of quality learning styles and frameworks.
• All youth will be healthy, strong, and well-prepared for the 21st Century.

Organizational Funding Statement

The Horner Foundation strives to be responsive and meet organizations where they are. This means that we may provide multi-year funding and ongoing support to nonprofits who may be launching a pilot project or going through a transition. However, we also believe in the value of diverse funding sources. The Horner Foundation typically funds organizations for 1-2 funding cycles (2-4 years). In rare cases, we may fund an organizations for 3 funding cycles (6 years).

Grants

The Foundation awards two-year grants dedicated to project funding. We fund in four geographic regions, each with its own funding priorities.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Out of School Time (OST) Organizations - STEM Programs    

Strategy

Since 2013, The Horner Foundation has supported Out of School Time programs working directly with underserved youth aged 10-19 in the City of Philadelphia. For our 2024 funding cycle, we will focus on out-of-school time STEM programming. 

Funding Focus

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math): The intention of this funding focus is to inspire members of the next generation to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, and math sectors through programming delivered in an inclusive learning environment.

• The program may include coding, robotics, entrepreneurship, engineering, and other STEM-related OST programming aimed at equipping youth with the tools necessary to thrive in a tech driven society.
• This funding focus also includes programs that encourage leadership training and career preparation for young tech leaders in underserved communities.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Coppola Family Travel Scholarship

The Coppola Family Travel Scholarship benefits Napa County High School students in grades 10-12 who have a desire to explore the world. This one-time award (“educational enrichment grant”) can be used to pay for tuition and associated costs for participation in a summer enrichment program in the United States or in Europe. Applicants must show a commitment to hard work and diligence in the pursuit of their goals. 

Napa Valley Community Foundation

There are more than 800 Community Foundations in the US, each devoted to a specific region. We operate independently, with a common goal in mind: to be a platform for local people who want to pay it forward. To deliver resources to effective charitable programs. And to make our communities stronger and more successful by doing these two things.

Among our peers, Napa Valley Community Foundation ranks first on several key measures of donor satisfaction and impact, according to a recent donor survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Our donors say that we deeply understand their interests, and deeply understand the needs of Napa Valley. That, in a nutshell, is our job.

Ted Kohler Music Scholarship

The Ted Kohler Music Scholarship benefits Calistoga students who are committed to music and wish to advance their musical development. The scholarship can be used to pay for activities such as music lessons or summer camp, or for college tuition (where the student demonstrates their desire to continue their musical education). The Ted Kohler Scholarship was established in 1997 to promote musical participation and aspirations in honor of Ted, who upon retirement from San Francisco State University, became a full-time musician and leader of the Napa Valley Jazz Band. He encouraged people of all ages to express themselves musically.