Best Grants for After School Programs in Florida

Florida after-school and out-of-school youth programs run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits or schools, as well as food banks and pantries, can access funding through Aldi Foundation’s Community Gift Card Program. Awards of US $100 - US $1,000 provide gift cards to purchase essential products for youth development and to address food insecurity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or youth development programs for at-risk children in Florida can apply for funding to support specific projects. Grants from Hobbs Foundation help Florida after school and summer educational programs, child welfare services, and related supports that improve stability, mental health, and educational outcomes for vulnerable youth.

The Beaches Community Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations serving the Beaches communities from Mayport to Guana. Priority is given to initiatives addressing basic needs, educational support for K-12 students, early learning opportunities for low-income families, and transportation needs for residents. This grant aims to uplift the community by targeting essential services and enhancing the quality of life for those in need.

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.

The Impact Polk Grants, administered by the GiveWell Community Foundation, aim to address diverse community needs in Polk County, Florida. This annual competitive grant program supports initiatives in six key areas: economic opportunities, education, food security, housing, quality of life, and transportation. By focusing on enhancing residents' quality of life, the program targets systemic barriers and fosters equitable access to essential services, thereby promoting community resilience and growth.

The Venable Foundation, a corporate funder, provides grants averaging $10,000 to nonprofits focused on human services, legal support, education, workforce development, youth impact, health, environment, and arts. Funding is targeted at organizations in specific regions, including Washington, DC, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Denver, reinforcing equitable opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals.

After-school and youth sports educators supporting girls and women may be eligible for $1,000 to fund research, leadership development, or program activities in Florida and nationwide. SHAPE America’s NAGWS Legacy Award recognizes current members whose proposals expand opportunities for girls and women in sport, including after-school programs, conferences, graduate projects, or speaker support.

Wabtec Foundation provides Florida after-school and summer education nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $10,000 to run programs that boost academic success, literacy, and workforce readiness. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations near Wabtec operations that emphasize measurable outcomes and welcome employee volunteerism may be especially competitive for this education- and environment-focused funding.

After-school and youth-serving organizations working with low-income, at-risk children in Florida can access free ticketed educational and cultural experiences through this program. Grants from Tickets For Kids Foundation help agency partners enhance after-school, summer, mentoring, and enrichment programming with no-cost tickets, following a 2–4 week agency partnership approval process.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends to work in a clinical or research setting, including in Florida. With a mission to support childhood cancer research, St. Baldricks Foundation provides a US $5,000 award paid to the mentor’s institution for the fellowship term.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and eligible governmental organizations serving school-age children in Charlotte County can seek support for afterschool and other educational programs, workforce development, and related equipment. Focused on youth education, Charlotte Community Foundation invites Florida after-school and summer programs to apply for funding that benefits Charlotte County residents and demonstrates clear community impact and sustainability.

Schools and community-based organizations running K–12 health, fitness, nutrition, or enrichment programs in Florida’s Indian River County can apply for Kids in Motion grants to start or grow after-school activities. With a mission to empower children through healthy habits, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation funds programs that incorporate tennis, life skills, and its Six Healthy Habits framework.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Florida interested in chemistry-focused summer learning can apply for American Chemical Society’s Project SEED Fellowship, which offers up to US $20,000 in stipends and scholarships. Participants complete 8–10 week paid lab internships, receive mentoring, and may continue for additional summers and college scholarships in STEM fields.

Florida 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 to strengthen self-sustaining community initiatives. Support may include grants or low-interest program-related investments for education, youth services, housing, health, and broader community development in the U.S. and developing regions.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEAM workshops or ad-hoc tech learning for youth ages 13–19 can apply for up to US $24,999 to deliver Mini Tech Skills Workshops through Best Buy Teen Tech Centers. Focused on after-school and summer educational programs, this Best Buy Foundation opportunity serves select communities, including Broward and Orange counties in Florida.

Out-of-school time and afterschool programs serving middle school youth in Florida and nationwide can receive general operating support to strengthen academic and social-emotional outcomes. New York Life Foundation’s Aim High one-year grants provide US $20,000 for OST programs in low-income or disadvantaged communities that help students successfully transition from 8th to 9th grade.

Florida after-school and youth education nonprofits serving Cutler Bay residents can access funding through the Town of Cutler Bay for programs that boost student achievement and provide out-of-school learning. Grants up to US $2,500 also support related priorities like social services, cultural activities, environmental projects, and community beautification benefiting local youth and families.

State education affiliates supporting K–12 and after-school learning in Florida and nationwide can apply for the National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, with awards up to US $100,000. Funding reimburses compensation to hire or backfill a coordinator to implement American Rescue Plan and related federal recovery efforts for public education.

Florida after-school and summer educational programs for grades 3–8 that integrate physical activity with academic enrichment can access donated Walking Classroom sets from Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Public school teachers serving socioeconomically or academically high-need students may receive materials, training, and resources to support evidence-based “Walk, Listen, and Learn” instruction.

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 Piedmont Natural Gas Company Grant Program, part of the Duke Energy Foundation, supports community vitality through grants of $20,000 or less. Focus areas include vibrant economies, climate resiliency, and promoting opportunity and inclusion. Eligible organizations must have tax-exempt status and serve communities without discrimination. The foundation prioritizes measurable community impact and does not fund certain entities, including for-profits and religious organizations. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

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.

Naples Children Foundation

Grant Guidelines:

The Naples Children Foundation (NCF) was established in 2000 to transform the lives of vulnerable children in Collier County by investing in, and partnering with, proven programs that bridge gaps in education, health care and child advocacy to deliver measurable results.

In 2005, we commissioned The Study of Child Wellbeing, an assessment of the needs of children in Collier County that found significant shortfalls in basic services including pediatric oral health, early childhood education, child advocacy, pediatric medical services and out-of-school services. In 2010, a follow up study was conducted identifying additional voids including childhood hunger, which is now a key area of focus. Further studies conducted in 2017 and 2022 confirmed the persistent need for targeted initiatives to bridge these gaps. These studies led to the development of — and reinforce — the following seven NCF Strategic Initiatives, each designed to address specific areas of need:

• Healthcare and Oral Health (est. 2006)
• Early Learning (est. 2008)
• Hunger (est. 2011)
• Mental Health, Vision and Out-of-School (est. 2012)

Every dollar we generate fuels high-impact solutions and, since its inception, NCF has transformed entire communities and positively impacted the lives of 385,000 children through its strategic investments in close to 90 nonprofit organizations. Every organization considered for funding undergoes a rigorous vetting process to ensure alignment with our mission and efficient use of resources. Post-award, every outcome is tracked to ensure measurable and lasting benefits for the children of Collier County.

Our Approach

The Naples Children Foundation will make two types of investments: Program Support and Capacity Building.

Funding that supports the direct delivery of programs and services to 3 beneficiaries.

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.

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.

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. 

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.