Supporting OST Programs for Middle School Youth

The Aim High Grant Program, funded by the New York Life Foundation and administered by the Afterschool Alliance, supports out-of-school time (OST) programs serving middle school students. The program is designed to help students successfully transition from middle to high school by providing educational support and holistic development opportunities. Research underscores the importance of middle school years in shaping a student's long-term academic success. By funding high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs, the New York Life Foundation aims to improve academic performance, enhance student engagement, and reduce absenteeism among middle schoolers. The grant program offers both one-year and two-year funding opportunities. One-year grants provide $20,000 in general operating funds to programs that demonstrate successful student engagement strategies and possess strong impact data. Unlike previous years, the one-year grants for this cycle do not require applicants to meet a specific focus or theme. The two-year grants, valued at $100,000, specifically target programs working to reduce school absences and chronic absenteeism, a critical factor affecting educational attainment. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. The grant is specifically intended for programs that serve middle school youth in grades 6 through 8. Organizations may serve students outside this grade range, but the funding must be dedicated to middle school participants. Additionally, at least 75% of the students served by the applicant’s program must be from low-income backgrounds, as defined by eligibility for the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRPL). Applications for the Aim High Grant Program must be submitted online through SurveyMonkey Apply by Friday, March 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full Request for Proposals (RFP) for detailed guidelines and requirements. A livestream information session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. EST, where potential applicants can learn more about the application process and best practices for submitting a strong proposal. The grant selection process is competitive, with a total of thirty grants expected to be awarded—fifteen one-year grants and fifteen two-year grants. Successful applicants will be chosen based on their demonstrated ability to engage middle school students effectively and improve educational outcomes. Strong impact data and a focus on reducing absenteeism will be key evaluation criteria. Funding for one-year grants will be available from August 2025 through August 2026, while two-year grants will be distributed from August 2025 through August 2027. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to review past award recipients for inspiration and guidance. Previous awardees have demonstrated successful strategies in culturally responsive STEM programming, peer-to-peer relationship building, and youth empowerment initiatives.