The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance today announced $1.8 million in new grants to 40 afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs serving disadvantaged middle school youth. The funds will go to organizations across the United States. These latest grants bring the total of New York Life Foundation’s support for out-of-school time (OST) programs to $11.55 million over the eight years of its Aim High program. The Aim High grant initiative is part of New York Life Foundation’s ongoing investment in OST programs to help middle school youth in under-resourced communities reach the 9th grade on time and better prepared for high school.
Half of this year’s 40 grants go to OST programs that support social justice, and to programs dedicated to supporting youth entrepreneurship and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The remaining grants focus on supporting OST programs’ work to help students transition successfully to the 9th grade. Awarded through a competitive process, the 2024 Aim High grants are going to OST organizations in 21 states: Arizona; California; Connecticut; Washington, DC; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Texas; Virginia; and Wyoming.
“Students today face significant academic, social, and emotional challenges, and OST programs provide much-needed support. These programs have a proven track record of helping students do better in school and build the skills they need for their future success,” said Heather Nesle, president of the New York Life Foundation, one of the largest corporate funders of bereavement support, and Afterschool Alliance board member. “This year, we’re particularly excited to have added grants focused on entrepreneurship, offering opportunities for young people to launch their own businesses, explore careers, and nurture entrepreneurial mindsets, while developing teamwork, planning, and problem-solving skills in the process. All this is invaluable for youth as they prepare for high school, higher education, and careers.”
Research shows that participation in high-quality afterschool, expanded day, and summer programs leads to greater academic achievement, better school attendance, and more engaged students.
“As afterschool and summer learning programs struggle with rising costs and federal pandemic relief winds down, the New York Life Foundation’s Aim High grant program provides an enormous boost to these programs and the students they serve,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “The Afterschool Alliance is honored to continue partnering on this effort. These new grants will help 40 extraordinary programs do even more to support middle school students. We congratulate this year’s award recipients and thank the New York Life Foundation for its commitment and generosity.”
