WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Funding Citizen Schools

The president and CEO of Citizen Schools discusses financial support for the program. Plus tips and resources for funding your own extended-day-learning program.

The president and CEO of Citizen Schools discusses financial support for the program. Plus tips and resources for funding your own extended-day-learning program.
Credits | Release Date: 01/20/2009
Edutopia Staff

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Read the following tips from Eric Schwarz, or click here for additional resources.

Advice and Links on Finding Funding and Attracting Investors

Funding for full-time-learning programs comes from many sources. Here's a short sampling.

  • Federal funding. Find federal resources that provide grants and funding for extended-day learning programs.
  • Parents. Ask for parent donations. Parents are usually willing to donate varying amounts to enrich their child's learning.
  • Local businesses. Recruit businesses to provide support -- through funding or other resources. Do your research first; many businesses receive requests for support. Understand the company history, and make contact with the right representatives.
  • Foundations. Research local and state foundations dedicated to serving youth, the arts, health, and related topics.

Funding Links

Check out these Web sites for more information about funding full-time learning.

  • Department of Education: Federal grant applications, opportunities, and resources for educators in the United States.
  • Afterschool.gov: Comprehensive site that connects educators and the public to federal resources for financing and running full-time-learning programs.
  • Afterschool Alliance: Tools, databases, and advice for funding full-time-learning programs.
  • Children Now: Policy reports and research on California's after-school programs. Includes a kit for applying for California after-school funding.
  • Education World Grants Center: List of current education grants and articles for grant seekers.
  • 712educators.com Grant Resources: Guides and tips on how to write grant proposals.
  • The Foundation Center: Resources, tools, training, and news for grant writing and locating prospective funders.