GRANT: Aim High RFP Now Open – Supporting OST Programs Serving Middle School Youth – due Thu Feb 1

On behalf of the New York Life Foundation, the Afterschool Alliance invites out-of-school time programs to apply for an Aim High grant, supporting and bolstering their efforts to prepare middle school students for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Why Middle School?

• A large body of evidence indicates the pivotal role of middle school in shaping a young person’s long-term academic trajectory. Enriching out-of-school time (OST) programs—such as afterschool and summer learning programs—are an effective means of helping middle school students successfully transition from 8^th to 9^th grade. Additionally, these programs provide holistic benefits to students that extend beyond academics, nurturing the cognitive, social, and emotional development of students. The New York Life Foundation’s educational enhancement grantmaking strategy aims to help middle school students thrive and become better prepared to complete high school and pursue college, providing them with a brighter future.

Why was the Aim High Program created?

• The New York Life Foundation established the Aim High grant program to support local community-based afterschool and summer learning programs to provide the foundational skills and guidance that middle school students need to be prepared for the critical transition into high school.

The Aim High Grant Program

• This competitive grant program includes both one- and two-year grant opportunities. Applicants can only apply for one of these grants. One-year grants will commence in June 2024 and conclude in May 2025. Two-year grants will begin in June 2024 and end in May 2026.

One-Year Grants:

• There are two one-year grant opportunities available. One supports racial equity and social justice efforts, while the other will focus on youth entrepreneurship and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

Two-Year Grants:

• Two grants focus on enhancing programs’ efforts to ensure middle school youth transition successfully to high school. Grants may support direct service activities, technical assistance, capacity building, and more.

Eligibility requirements:

• 501(c)(3) status required. Applicants for this competitive grant program must have 501(c)(3) status. You will be required to verify your EIN as part of the application.
• Middle school youth (6th, 7th, 8th graders) served. This competitive grant program is targeted to programs serving middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Organizations applying for funding may serve students outside this grade range but grant funds are specifically for middle school youth.
• At least 75 percent of low-income youth served. Applicants for this competitive grant program must serve a high percentage of low-income youth. For the purposes of this grant program, “low-income” is defined as students who qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRPL).