We're thrilled to introduce the 10 afterschool programs selected to join Florida's STEM Peer Learning Community (PLC) as part of the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative! This marks the second STEM PLC hosted by Florida After School, continuing our commitment to expanding STEM learning opportunities in afterschool programs across the state.

Six months ago, the Skills Center opened a new $13 million facility in Tampa, Florida where students can access tutoring, explore careers, learn to code, record their own podcasts, play sports, and more. “Each child that comes in is assigned their own counselor as the youth development specialist,” youth development specialist Tocara Jackson told Bay News 9. The center is currently exploring partnerships with the local bus system to make the free afterschool program more accessible to students in other parts of the city.

The school celebrates its receipt of the National Certificate for STEM Excellence, while it also hosted its Family STEAM Night.

The project brought together more than 100 of PPG’s top global leaders, who spent a portion of their annual global leadership meeting updating the club’s computer room, recording studio, gymnasium and teen center outdoor areas with colors that aim to enhance learning and engagement. In addition to painting, the leaders built new furniture and assembled 500 STEM activity kits and 40 bicycles, all of which were donated to local Boys & Girls Club members. 

As part of an ongoing commitment to help support the communities they serve, American Global hosted its annual fundraising event and soccer tournament on January 30th. This year, the full day, 3-part summit welcomed more than 400 carriers, clients and colleagues and raised more than $150,000 to benefit the YMCA of South Florida. 

Howard Bankhead teaches students in the Madison County Elementary School afterschool program how to play golf, while incorporating math lessons along the way. Program leaders say the golf lessons and mentorship Bankhead provides have helped students improve their social skills as well.

We love afterschool, and we know that you do too! Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire learning, and help working families. Join us on February 14, and share why you, your students, and your community love your afterschool program!

The improved Funding Database allows you to search for funding by state, grade level, and program area, as well as filter by funding type. Application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and a brief description of the opportunities are available at a glance, and one click will get you to the details of the funding announcement.

Are afterschool programs an absolute necessity for communities? Should newly elected leaders provide more funding for afterschool programs? Are afterschool programs keeping kids safe, supporting academic and social growth, and helping young people gain foundational skills, like teamwork and communication? The answers to these questions for voters are a resounding “yes.”

SUN Bucks is a program that can provide families with a summer food benefit to help cover the costs of meals while school is out. This program would work like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) by providing funds directly to families through a grocery benefit card. Families would be able to use these funds to purchase groceries, ensuring their kids have access to the food they need during the summer months.

The New York Life Foundation’s 2025 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 30 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth.

Prime Time Palm Beach County, Inc. is requesting proposals for its Afterschool Symposium 2025. This one-day, in-person event will take place on May 9, 2025, at the West Palm Beach Marriott hotel. The theme for this coming year is: "Empowering Young Minds, Engaging Communities, Creating Lasting Impact."