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.

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.

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.

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 Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering after-school or summer educational programs can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating support, specific projects, or occasional capital needs. While McGraw Foundation generally prioritizes the greater Chicago area, Pennsylvania after-school programs may be eligible if they meet its education and human services focus areas.

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.

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.