Summer Learning Grant

The Summer Learning Grant, administered by United Way of Berks County, is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support educational organizations that provide summer programming to young students in Berks County, Pennsylvania. This grant aims to enhance learning experiences for children from pre-kindergarten through third grade, with an emphasis on literacy development. Recognizing the importance of continued learning outside the traditional school year, the grant supports programs scheduled to take place between June and August 2026. Eligible applicants for this grant include schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Previous recipients of the Summer Learning Grant are also encouraged to apply. Applicants may request funding of up to $5,000 per school, organization, or grant partnership. However, the final awarded amount may be less than the requested sum, contingent upon demonstrated need and the availability of funding. In addition to financial support, the United Way of Berks County encourages grantees to integrate cross-disciplinary activities into their programming, such as those related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), provided a literacy component remains central to the program design. To ensure program accountability and effectiveness, all proposals must include an evaluation framework that measures the outcomes of the literacy-focused activities. Applications are to be submitted electronically through the e-CImpact grant management platform. The submission window opens on January 12, 2026, and closes on February 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Each proposal must detail the program's structure, projected outcomes, participant demographics, budgeted revenue and expenditures, and how the requested funds will be used. If the applicant is a school, the proposal must be approved by the district administration. For programs involving technology, confirmation from the IT Manager is required to ensure compatibility with existing systems. Partnerships between schools and nonprofit organizations are permitted; however, these proposals must also include district approval. Programs that are open to the broader community should be registered with PA211 to ensure families have access to updated information. A volunteer committee comprised of members from Ready.Set.READ! and United Way boards will review the submissions using a rubric-based evaluation system to determine funding awards. Applicants will be notified of their award status by March 27, 2026. Funds will be distributed in April 2026 and must be used by the end of August 2026. Additionally, United Way staff and volunteers will conduct site visits by the end of July 2026 to observe program activities. All grantees are required to submit a final report via e-CImpact no later than October 2, 2026. The report must include data on literacy outcomes, actual expenses, and at least two photographs of program participants. These photos may be used in United Way promotional materials, and proper releases must be obtained by the grantee. For questions regarding the grant application or technical support with e-CImpact, applicants may contact Amanda Hansen at 610-685-4582 or via email at [email protected].