Best Grants for After School Programs in Idaho

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Idaho offering youth athletics, culture, or education programs for ages 6–18 can apply for flexible support, including general operating funds. With a mission to increase racial equity and opportunities, Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes rural groups and after-school or out-of-school learning across its five-state Western region.

Idaho tax-exempt nonprofits running cost-effective programs, including after school and youth education initiatives, can seek funding for a wide range of needs. Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation supports educational programs for children, rural healthcare, and underserved communities across Idaho, considering projects from equipment to program costs, with a simple, statewide competitive grants process.

State education affiliates in Idaho and nationwide can apply for the NEA Federal Rescue Implementation Network Grant, with awards up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator position implementing American Rescue Plan education recovery efforts. This staffing support may benefit affiliates working with K-12 schools and after school or summer educational programs.

Idaho after-school and youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation to support self-sustaining programs that expand economic and educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Eligible nonprofits may seek program-related investments or grants for after-school education, job training, housing, health, child care, scholarships, and related community development efforts in the U.S. and abroad.

After-school and summer programs in Idaho serving students in grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom sets to combine physical activity with academic instruction. Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s program supports classrooms and out-of-school time sites, prioritizing schools with the greatest socioeconomic and academic need for physical fitness and enrichment resources.

Out-of-school time programs serving middle school youth in Idaho can seek funding to support afterschool or summer learning that helps students transition to high school. The New York Life Foundation provides US $20,000 one-year general operating grants for middle school OST programs serving low-income or disadvantaged communities with strong student engagement and impact data.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Idaho interested in chemistry-focused summer learning can access paid research fellowships and scholarships; awards up to US $20,000 support hands-on lab experiences and college studies. With a mission to expand STEM opportunities, American Chemical Society offers 8–10 week Project SEED internships and follow-on scholarships for eligible participants.

Idaho after-school and youth-serving organizations that work directly with low-income, at-risk children can receive free ticketed enrichment experiences through this national program. Grants from Tickets For Kids Foundation help after-school and summer educational programs, schools, camps, and qualifying agencies supplement programming with arts, culture, theater, and other outings at no cost to their organizations or participants.

Idaho 501(c)(3) nonprofits running education or environmental programs, including after school or summer initiatives, can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 for community-focused projects in counties where Wabtec operates. The Wabtec Foundation prefers programs in education, especially STEM and academic enrichment, that show measurable outcomes and can engage local Wabtec employees as volunteers.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in the U.S. interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends through this program, which may complement Idaho after-school or summer educational initiatives. With a mission to support childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation provides institutions with US $5,000 per Summer Fellowship Award.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation offers grants through its Education Committee to support programs enhancing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students. These grants focus on initiatives like tutoring, college preparation, and internship programs. To qualify, organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3). Preference is given to projects that provide ongoing support to students post-graduation, particularly in specific geographic areas such as San Diego County and the New York Metropolitan Area.

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program aims to support educational initiatives globally, impacting the lives of children. This program welcomes applications from IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, mentorship, and education. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, depending on mission alignment and available funds. Kars4Kids, a national Jewish nonprofit, is dedicated to nurturing productive community members through educational and mentoring opportunities.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants to support innovative educational programs that enhance student learning for low-income children. These grants, up to $10,000 per year for two years, aim to foster creativity and critical thinking in K-12 education. Applications are accepted from educators at nonprofit organizations who engage with students directly. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and seeks projects that enrich academic experiences and inspire student curiosity.

After-school and youth sports educators in Idaho can seek funding for projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sport, including after-school programs, research, or leadership development. Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) offers the NAGWS Legacy Award, providing US $1,000 annually to a current SHAPE America member with a qualifying proposal.

Idaho 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools running after school or youth programs can receive ongoing donations of unsold bread and baked goods to feed people in need. Panera Bread Foundation’s Day-End Dough-Nation program supports food pantries, backpack programs, community meals, shelters, and similar services that commit to weekly pick-ups.

Idaho after-school and youth-serving nonprofits supporting hunger relief, education, youth development, or family services can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation to strengthen local programs. Grants may support after-school education, youth sports and activities, healthy living initiatives, and community collaborations that enrich neighborhoods and improve long-term economic mobility for children and families.

Sedona and Verde Valley high school graduates pursuing two-year, vocational, or CTE studies can receive scholarship support for accredited community college or technical programs, including summer courses. Arizona Community Foundation provides funding for majors like agriculture, automotive, culinary, nursing, paramedics, IT, and computer programming, which may benefit graduates of Idaho after-school or summer educational programs who relocate to this region.

Exceptionally high-achieving 7th grade students with financial need in Idaho and across the U.S. can receive multi-year educational support through the Young Scholars Program, including advising and enrichment funding. With a mission to advance promising students’ education, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides comprehensive academic guidance, summer programs, and resources that can complement after school and summer educational initiatives.

After-school and summer music program directors in Idaho can receive donated instruments to expand youth music education and access. Grants from Hungry for Music help programs obtain brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, drums, amps, and accessories; a site visit is required, and multiple instruments can be requested through a single application.

Idaho after-school and summer educational programs run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation for direct services to at-risk youth and disadvantaged families. Eligible projects fall under education, health and human services, arts and culture, or community service and must primarily benefit low-income or underserved populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering educational, youth, or after-school programs in the U.S., including Idaho, can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000 to expand or enhance services. Focused on education, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust also considers community initiatives, arts and culture, youth programs, and select environmental and preservation projects.

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.

501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations offering after-school or summer educational programs, tutoring, or enrichment can apply for McGraw Foundation grants of US $2,000 - US $10,000. Although the foundation is headquartered in Illinois and generally supports greater Chicago, Idaho after-school education nonprofits may be eligible if they fit its education and human services priorities.

About Us

We endeavor to help individuals reach their full potential, families to thrive and communities to flourish through grants to a range of charitable organizations. To these ends, our grantmaking is framed by two potentially contrasting convictions: that tradition is an important resource and that fundamental rethinking often is necessary to respond effectively to new challenges and circumstances. These convictions arise from the encouragement J.K. Lilly, Sr. gave to his sons to be conservatively progressive. That philosophy was evident in their leadership of their company and the establishment and administration of the Endowment.

LE Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative (Serving Neighbors). This initiative has two complementary aims: 1) to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by encouraging stronger collaborations in local communities between Christian congregations and charitable organizations (e.g., human and social service agencies, youth-serving organizations, arts and cultural organizations, neighborhood associations, and parks and outdoor recreational organizations, among others) that utilize their respective strengths to jointly undertake efforts that address community needs and priorities and 2) to deepen the faith of individuals and enhance the vitality of congregations by providing opportunities for Christians to practice their faith through acts of love and care for their neighbors.

Through Serving Neighbors, the Endowment anticipates awarding grants of up to $5 million each to approximately 60 charitable organizations to develop and implement programs that advance the aims stated above and the following four objectives:

Helping Christian congregations identify and explore compelling human and social needs and priorities in their neighborhoods and local communities (e.g., hunger relief, after-school and educational enrichments programs, violence reduction, homelessness, outdoor recreational opportunities, community building festivals).

Assisting these congregations in building relationships with community organizations and, when appropriate, other faith-based organizations focused on those needs and priorities.

Guiding leaders from these congregations and charitable organizations in their local communities through a planning process to help them develop new and/or strengthen current collaborative joint endeavors that address the identified community needs or priorities.

Providing support and resources to help these congregations and charitable organizations in their local communities launch and, if successful, sustain these collaborations into the future.

Funding Opportunities 

Lilly Endowment will conduct Serving Neighbors through a two-stage process.

Concept Papers: In the first stage, interested charitable organizations may submit concept papers that explain their interest in the initiative and provide initial descriptions of potential Serving Neighbors programs that would advance the initiative’s aims and objectives.

The Endowment will review the concept papers and anticipates providing planning grants of up to $50,000 each to approximately 60 organizations that submit the most promising descriptions of potential collaborative programs. Selected organizations may use their planning grants to develop their concepts and prepare proposals for implementation grants.

Concept papers must be submitted through the Serving Neighbors Concept Paper Submission Form on the Endowment’s website. Concept papers are due by January 19, 2027. The Endowment anticipates notifying organizations of planning grant awards by the end of March 2027.

Implementation Grant Proposals: In the second stage, selected charitable organizations that receive planning grants may submit proposals for implementation grants of up to $5 million each that may be used for up to a four-year period to execute their plans.

Implementation grant proposals must be submitted through the Serving Neighbors Implementation Grant Proposal Submission Form on the Endowment’s website. Implementation grant proposals are due by July 19, 2027. The Endowment anticipates announcing implementation grant awards by the end of November 2027. Guidelines for preparing an implementation grant proposal will be provided with notice of approval of a planning grant.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Joan M. Wismer Foundation, established in 2001, honors the legacy of Joan Marilynn Wismer, who was dedicated to charitable work and community service. The foundation focuses on improving lives through education, youth development, safety, humanitarian services, and medical research. It primarily supports IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and churches, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable funding and effective financial management in its grant-making process.