State Programs: After School Programs - Non-school Districts

The Illinois State Board of Education has announced the availability of funding through the After School Programs for non-school districts. This program, listed under CSFA number 586-84-2069, is designed to expand opportunities for after school programming across the state of Illinois. The program is intended to support organizations that are not school districts but are capable of providing high-quality after school services to students. By making funds available, the State Board of Education aims to enhance academic support, enrichment, and structured activities for young people outside the regular school day. The purpose of this opportunity is to ensure that more students have access to safe, engaging, and educational after school programs that extend learning time and promote positive youth development. The funding is drawn from state sources and will distribute a total program funding amount of $18,000,000. Award amounts for individual recipients are not specified, and there is no minimum or maximum award range stated. The agency has indicated that indirect costs are permitted, and there are no restrictions on how they may be applied. Importantly, cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program, which may encourage broader participation by organizations with limited financial resources. The program is open specifically to non-school district entities, which may include nonprofits, community organizations, and other eligible groups as determined by the awarding agency. By excluding school districts, the program ensures that community-based organizations and other non-district providers have direct access to state resources to support students. The eligibility details and specific qualifying conditions are outlined in the Request for Proposals, which must be accessed via the Illinois State Board of Education website. Applications for this opportunity open on August 27, 2025, and will close on October 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM local time. A technical assistance session will be offered virtually on September 4, 2025, at 1:30 PM. Registration for this session is optional and not mandatory for applicants, but it may provide helpful guidance for completing the application process. Interested applicants can register through the link provided in the official notice. The application process requires submission through the official ISBE Request for Proposals portal, with details accessible on the agency’s funding opportunities page. While there is no pre-application requirement, applicants are encouraged to review all documents and participate in the technical assistance webinar for additional support. Proposals will be evaluated according to criteria specified in the RFP, which may include the program design, organizational capacity, alignment with state goals, and projected outcomes for participating students. Questions regarding this opportunity can be directed to the After School Programs Team at the Illinois State Board of Education, who serve as the primary point of contact. The contact email for inquiries is afterschool@isbe.net. No phone number has been provided in the official notice. This funding opportunity reflects the State Board’s continued investment in educational equity and student success through expanded learning time and structured after school programming. It offers organizations across Illinois the chance to contribute to statewide goals for student achievement and development while securing funding to sustain or expand their programming.