State Programs: After School Programs - Non-school Districts

The State Board of Education administers the State Programs: After School Programs - Non-school Districts grant as part of its broader effort to expand educational and enrichment opportunities beyond the traditional school day. This program is funded through state appropriations and is designed to support organizations that are not school districts in delivering structured after school programming. The initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to improving student outcomes, providing safe environments for youth during out-of-school hours, and addressing educational and developmental gaps through supplemental programming. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support after school programs that provide academic enrichment, youth development, and supervised activities for students outside of regular school hours. While the detailed allowable uses of funds are not explicitly outlined in the summary, such programs typically include tutoring, mentoring, STEM activities, arts programming, and social-emotional learning opportunities. The funding is intended to enhance student engagement, support working families, and reduce risk factors associated with unsupervised time after school. This opportunity is specifically targeted at non-school district entities, meaning eligible applicants are expected to be organizations other than traditional public school districts. These may include nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, or other qualified entities capable of delivering after school programming. The grant does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers the barrier to entry for smaller or resource-constrained organizations. Indirect costs are allowed without restriction, providing flexibility in how organizations manage administrative overhead. The application process is conducted through the Illinois State Board of Education’s Request for Proposals portal. Applicants must access the application materials by navigating to the provided link and completing all required components within the submission window. The application period opens on June 22, 2026, and closes on August 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Applicants are responsible for ensuring timely submission, as late applications are typically not considered. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified in the available information. Although specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the summary, applicants can expect that proposals will be assessed based on program design, alignment with after school program goals, organizational capacity, and the ability to effectively serve target populations. The absence of a specified award range suggests that funding allocations may vary based on program scope or that awards are determined through a formula or competitive review process. The total estimated funding available for this program is $19,285,714, indicating a substantial investment in after school programming statewide. However, the anticipated number of awards is listed as zero, which may indicate that awards are not predetermined or that funding is distributed through a different mechanism. The grant is funded entirely by state resources, and there is no indication of recurring cycles or future rounds, suggesting applicants should treat this as a current, time-bound opportunity. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the After School Programs Team via email at afterschool@isbe.net. No specific individual contact or phone number is provided. Organizations interested in applying should carefully review the full request for proposals document and ensure compliance with all submission requirements and deadlines.