Best Grants for After School Programs in Louisiana

Nonprofit organizations, schools, CBOs, NGOs, and religious organizations operating three or more years in Louisiana can seek support for summer camp operations serving children with special needs or providing strong academic enrichment. Focused on after-school and summer educational programs, the Joe W & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation invites competitive proposals for overnight and STEM-focused camps.

Nonprofit organizations in Louisiana offering after-school or summer arts education programs can access funding through the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation; awards up to US $7,500 to cover professional teaching fees. Grants support music, arts, and cultural traditions education that reflects Louisiana’s heritage and strengthens community-based after-school programming.

Louisiana K–12 schools and arts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive up to US $7,500 to support in-school or after-school music, arts, and cultural traditions programs in Louisiana. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation funds instruments, repairs, sheet music, visual art supplies, and other materials that advance its mission of preserving Louisiana’s culture and heritage.

Louisiana after-school and summer educational programs run by 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation to support disadvantaged youth and families. The foundation offers program-related investments and grants for education, after-school services, job training, housing, health, and broader community economic development in the U.S. and select international regions.

State education affiliates in Louisiana and nationwide can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant to fund a coordinator for American Rescue Plan education recovery work. Awards up to US $100,000 reimburse salary for a dedicated position supporting K–12 public education and related after-school or extended learning efforts.

Focused on STEM and out-of-school education, Techbridge Girls invites Louisiana after-school and summer program leaders to join its STEM Equity Learning Community, with US $1,000 in support. OST program managers and site directors working with Black, Indigenous, Latina, and gender-expansive girls may benefit from training, action planning, and a national peer network.

Louisiana classroom teachers serving grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom sets to support after-school or summer educational programs that combine physical activity with academic enrichment. This national program from Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides preloaded audio players or app access, lesson plans, training, and supplemental resources to help boost student health, focus, and achievement.

Out-of-school time programs serving middle school youth in Louisiana can receive general operating support to strengthen afterschool or summer educational offerings and ease the transition to high school. The New York Life Foundation’s Aim High one-year grants provide US $20,000 for OST programs serving low-income or disadvantaged communities with strong student engagement and impact data.

Nonprofits, schools, and government agencies in Louisiana serving low-income, at-risk children can receive free tickets for arts, culture, theater, and educational outings to enrich after-school and summer programming. Grants from Tickets For Kids Foundation help after-school and summer educational programs offer academic enrichment, camps, and other ticketed experiences at no cost to participating organizations or families.

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana is dedicated to enhancing local community life through philanthropy. Its Women's Philanthropy Network (WPN) is now inviting applications for grants focused on improving school readiness and student achievement. Eligible organizations must be 501c3 entities and demonstrate proven success in innovative programs targeting underserved children from birth to 5th grade. The foundation values collaboration and the ability to leverage matching funds, ensuring impactful community investments.

The GPOA Foundation Grant supports programs for children in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, with a focus on kindergarten readiness, reading proficiency by third grade, and equipping at-risk youth for independence. The foundation accepts concept papers biannually and encourages collaborative requests. Eligible organizations include nonprofits serving children and youth, while ineligible programs include those outside Orleans Parish or unrelated to children. Funding can cover operational costs and multi-year requests, fostering impactful educational initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEAM workshops or tech skills programs for teens ages 13–19 can receive up to US $24,999 to partner with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers in Louisiana and other locations. Focused on youth tech skill-building, Best Buy Foundation invites after-school and summer programs to deliver coding, filmmaking, game design, music production, robotics, and related learning experiences.

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 Aim High Grant Program, funded by the New York Life Foundation, offers 15 two-year grants of $100,000 each to support out-of-school time programs that assist middle school students in their transition to high school. This initiative addresses chronic absenteeism and promotes educational attainment in low-income communities, enhancing the cognitive, social, and emotional development of youth. By fostering skills necessary for academic success, the program aims to create brighter futures for participants.

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.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Louisiana interested in chemistry or STEM can receive paid summer research internships and scholarships through the Project SEED Fellowship. With a mission to provide STEM research, learning, and growth opportunities, American Chemical Society offers 8–10 week lab experiences, mentoring, and potential multi-year college scholarships up to US $20,000.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends to work in clinical or lab settings; awards are US $5,000 paid to the mentor’s institution. With a mission to advance childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation provides opportunities that may complement Louisiana after-school or summer educational initiatives focused on academic enrichment.

SHAPE America members planning projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sports, including after school or leadership programs, can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award in Louisiana and nationwide. This annual award from SHAPE America provides US $1,000 for proposals such as research, after school programs, conferences, or speaker support.

Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools running after-school or youth programs can receive donated bread and baked goods to feed people in need through Panera Bread Foundation’s Day-End Dough-Nation program. Eligible partners must pick up unsold items weekly and distribute them via after-school, meal, shelter, or similar community services.

Louisiana after-school and youth-focused nonprofits supporting education, youth development, hunger relief, or family services can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation for community giving initiatives. Grants may support after-school or summer educational programs, youth sports and enrichment, health and wellness, food access, housing stability, and job or career training that strengthen families and neighborhoods.

Local educational agencies and 501(c)(3) organizations running school-day, after-school, or summer programs for children from birth through 12th grade in Caddo Parish can seek funding for academic, mental and physical health, and enrichment outcomes. The Community Foundation of North Louisiana supports after-school and summer educational programs in Louisiana through the WPN Small Grant, awarding up to US $15,000.

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.

Louisiana after-school and summer educational programs can access funding through Arizona Community Foundation’s Pathway to Careers scholarship, which supports vocational and trade education. Sedona/Verde Valley high school graduates pursuing two-year or technical programs in fields like agriculture, automotive, culinary, nursing, or IT may be eligible for this career-focused support.

With a mission to advance education for high-achieving students with financial need, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides U.S. middle schoolers with a selective five-year Young Scholars scholarship. Eligible 7th graders in Louisiana attending U.S. schools may receive academic advising, summer programs, and funding for after-school and enrichment opportunities.

501(c)(3) and similar nonprofits offering after-school or summer educational programs can apply for McGraw Foundation grants of US $2,000 - US $10,000, primarily for organizations in the greater Chicago area. Louisiana after-school programs may be eligible if they fit the foundation’s priorities in education, human services, health, or cultural initiatives.

After-school and summer music program directors in Louisiana can request donated instruments to support K–12 music education and enrichment. Grants from Hungry for Music help programs obtain brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, percussion, amps, and accessories; a site visit is required, and only school staff, administrators, or social workers may submit requests.