State Afterschool Grant (Act 78 Afterschool & Summer Learning)

State Afterschool Grant (Act 78 Afterschool & Summer Learning) is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Education. Provides and expands access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs for K–12 students in Vermont, with an emphasis on underserved areas.

Grant Announcement: Act 78 Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs | Agency of Education District & School Operations Grant Announcement: Act 78 Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs The Vermont Agency of Education invites public, private and non-profit organizations to apply for state grant funding to provide and expand access to high-quality afterschool learning opportunities for all Vermont students.

Application in AOE Grants Management System Grant Amount: $3. 5 million in Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Period: Latest July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, for three-year plans and make annual awards contingent of performance and available funds. *(dependent on passage of 2024 Budget Adjustment Act).

Application Due Date: March 6, 2024 Who May Apply: Eligible Recipients can be public, private or non-profit organizations. Allowable grant amounts: $15,000 - $150,000 Applicants must meet at least two of the Absolute Priorities defined below. They must demonstrate meeting: Absolute Priority 1: The Agency of Education will prioritize awards for applications that utilize school-community partnership model to deliver programming.

Absolute Priority 2: The Agency of Education will prioritize awards for applications where there is evidence of no or limited afterschool program options currently available for children and youth in the applicant community(s). Absolute Priority 3 : The Agency of Education will prioritize awards to applications designed to improve access and remove barriers to participation for students from Historically Marginalized Groups.

The Agency of Education is establishing this grant program, pursuant to Act 78 of 2023. The objective of the grant is to support and expand access to high-quality afterschool learning opportunities in Vermont. The grants may be used to expand existing afterschool programs, create new programs, or create comprehensive afterschool centers.

Eligible recipients of the grant include Vermont school systems, but also community-based organizations. Private businesses, and municipal and non-profit organizations may apply. Funding amounts will range between $15,000 and $150,000, and may be used to expand existing programs or create new ones.

Applicants are encouraged to develop programs strengthen school-community partnerships. Programs should build on existing afterschool and expanded and enriched learning goals for their community.

To be competitive, applicants are encouraged to consider ways to: grow and support student voice and participation; provide high-quality learning opportunities and enrichment; support youth mental-health, social-emotional learning and well-being; and keep children and youth healthy and safe.

Recipient programs must also: follow a school-community partnership approach; provide afterschool opportunities in areas of Vermont that don't currently have enough; and/or improve access to historically marginalized students such as students of color or students with disabilities.