Best Grants for After School Programs in Colorado

Public systems such as Colorado counties, cities, school districts, and their intermediary partners seeking to expand afterschool and summer educational programs can apply for grants up to Up to US $40,000. Grants from Gary Philanthropy help Colorado after school and summer program networks replicate My Spark-like models to scale enrichment, especially for lower-income kids.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation After-School Enrichment Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in after-school enrichment:

• Programs with trained instructors that provide students with opportunities to participate in enrichment activities to learn new things and develop skills they will find useful in real life.

After-school and youth sports educators in Colorado working to expand opportunities for girls and women in sport can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award, a US $1,000 grant supporting projects like research, leadership development, or after-school programs. Society of Health and Physical Educators awards this annually to current SHAPE America members nationwide.

The Wabtec Direct Grant Program focuses on creating sustainable impacts in local communities by funding 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Emphasizing education and environmental stewardship, the program supports initiatives that improve literacy, academic outcomes, and workforce readiness. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, prioritizing organizations that engage local Wabtec employees in volunteerism. The program promotes equitable access and non-discrimination while ensuring measurable results in funded projects.

The Season to Share Grant, presented by the Denver Post Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations committed to helping low-income children, youth, and families in the Denver area. Grant funding focuses on programs addressing children and youth development, health and wellness, homelessness, and hunger. Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong outcomes and sustainable funding. Applications are reviewed annually, with a competitive process ensuring that funding is allocated to impactful programs that effectively serve vulnerable populations.

The Tickets for Kids Grant Program, offered by the Tickets For Kids Foundation, aims to support low-income, at-risk children and youth by providing access to ticketed experiences at no cost. Organizations eligible for partnership include nonprofit agencies, schools serving primarily low-income students, and government agencies. The application process typically takes 2-4 weeks, with responses expected within five business days after review. This initiative enriches existing programming through valuable experiences.

Nonprofits, school districts, and special districts in Colorado serving Adams County residents with safety-net, basic-needs, or food-security programs can apply for Community Enrichment Grant funding. Focused on direct services, this Adams County Foundation opportunity may benefit after school and summer programs that improve health, stability, and self-sufficiency for underserved youth and families.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies focused on health or education for Weld County residents can receive funding for programs and indirect costs through cycle grants, including after-school and summer educational initiatives. The Weld Trust provides Colorado organizations with triannual opportunities supporting access to resources, childhood literacy, food security, housing stability, health, and workforce development.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies in Weld County, Colorado can apply for The Weld Trust’s Flagship Grants, awarding more than US $750,000 for major health and education projects, including after school and summer educational programs. Funding typically supports capital needs, requires significant additional matching support, and favors projects with long-term, county-wide impact.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends to work in clinical or lab settings, including in Colorado. With a mission to support childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation provides institutions with US $5,000 Summer Fellowship Awards to fund mentored, full-time summer research experiences.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Durango with after-school or summer educational programming can receive a paid June high school intern plus at least US $2,500 for marketing-related operations. The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado and Business Education Connection provide mentorship, social media campaign development, and structured onsite/offsite work weeks for 12 La Plata County organizations.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Colorado interested in chemistry-focused summer learning can receive paid research fellowships and scholarships supporting STEM education and career exploration. With a mission to expand STEM research opportunities, American Chemical Society offers 8–10 week lab internships, virtual camps, and scholarships, awarding up to US $20,000 in support.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or summer educational programs for economically or educationally disadvantaged youth can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation. Support may come as grants or low-interest program-related investments for self-sustaining initiatives, including education, youth services, housing, health, job training, and broader community development in the U.S. and select international regions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or those with fiscal sponsors serving Archuleta, La Plata, or Montezuma Counties can seek $12,000 to $15,000 from The Moniker Foundation to support arts, education, environment, or health and human services programs. After school and summer educational programs in Colorado, especially those for K–12 youth, may be strong candidates.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups running youth and family programs, including after school education, can apply for The Moniker Foundation’s Pikes Peak Region Grant; awards US $5,000 - US $15,000 for capital, operating, program, or project support. Eligible applicants must serve El Paso or Teller counties in arts, education, environment, or health and human services.

State education affiliates in Colorado and nationwide can apply for the National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, which provides up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator position implementing American Rescue Plan education recovery efforts. This support may benefit affiliates coordinating after school and extended learning programs as part of broader public education recovery work.

Colorado after-school and summer educational programs serving students in grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom sets to combine physical activity with academic enrichment. Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides evidence-based “Walk, Listen, and Learn” materials, training, and resources, prioritizing public schools and sites with the greatest socioeconomic and academic need that have not previously received sets.

Afterschool and summer learning programs serving middle school youth in Colorado can receive general operating support to strengthen out-of-school time education and transition-to-high-school services. The New York Life Foundation provides one-year Aim High grants of US $20,000 for OST programs working with low-income or disadvantaged communities and demonstrating strong student engagement and impact data.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEAM workshops or tech skills programs for teens ages 13–19 can apply for funding from Best Buy Foundation, with awards up to US $24,999. Focused on youth tech skills, the program invites Colorado after-school and summer educational providers to deliver coding, filmmaking, game design, music production, robotics, and related Mini Tech Skills Workshops.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

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.

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. 

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

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.

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.

Colorado after-school and summer educational program providers may find this scholarship-style funding relevant if they support Sedona/Verde Valley high school graduates pursuing community college or vocational training. Arizona Community Foundation’s Pathway to Careers fund assists graduates in CTE majors like agriculture, automotive, culinary, nursing, paramedics, IT, and computer programming at accredited two-year or vocational institutions.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado running after-school, educational, arts, health, human services, or veteran-honoring programs that build leadership can apply for the E.M. Christmas Fund, awarding US $2,000 - US $5,000. With a mission to strengthen community leadership, Southern Colorado Community Foundation gives preference to Pueblo County organizations through this fund.