Aim High Grant Program

The New York Life Foundation's Aim High Grant Program, administered by the Afterschool Alliance, offers general operating support to nonprofit organizations that provide afterschool and summer learning opportunities for middle school students. Specifically targeting underserved and low-income communities, the initiative underscores the importance of out-of-school time (OST) programs in supporting academic, social, and emotional development during a critical period in adolescent education—the transition from middle school to high school. This competitive program will award forty one-year general operating grants of $20,000 to eligible organizations. Grantees must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an annual operating budget of at least $200,000 and must currently provide both afterschool and summer programming for middle school youth. To qualify, programs must serve at least 80% low-income students—defined as those eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program—and offer at least 9 hours of weekly programming for a minimum of 20 weeks during the school year. Applicants from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are eligible, but programs in U.S. Territories are not. The grant supports organizations in delivering direct services, professional development, capacity building, technical assistance, and program expansion. Funds cannot be used for capital improvements. While no specific program outcomes are mandated, successful applicants are expected to support youth in developing foundational skills for high school transition, with focus on consistent attendance, positive behavior, academic progress, and social-emotional growth. Priority consideration is given to applicants from underserved states, which receive an additional five points during evaluation. The application process begins with an introductory webinar scheduled for January 15, 2026, which provides an overview of the grant and walks participants through the eligibility screening and application portal. Access to the application system requires first completing a mandatory eligibility questionnaire that determines which grant tiers an applicant may apply for. Once this step is complete, applicants can access and submit the full application through the online portal. Applications are due by February 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Awards will be announced in early July 2026, and the grant period runs through September 1, 2027. A final report is due October 1, 2027. Application materials must include proof of nonprofit status, budget documentation, IRS Form 990, a board list, and staff directory. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate their programming model, student outcomes, use of data, and community need. The review panel includes OST and youth development experts and emphasizes clarity, alignment with the grant’s goals, and service to high-need populations. Programs that have previously received Aim High funding may reapply if their prior grant ended by summer 2025. Schools, school districts, colleges, and local governments are ineligible, though community-based organizations partnering with these entities may apply.

Use clear, jargon-free language; focus on impact data; emphasize support for middle school transition; highlight outcomes, attendance, and staff training.