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The Bowser Administration and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education's (DME) Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) have released the 2023 Summer Strong Grant Competitions. The OST Office anticipates awarding up to $3.9 million dollars to nonprofit organizations that provide District children and youth with high quality and supportive out-of-school time (OST) programs during the summer months. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 9, 2023 at 5:00 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
Review the different grant competitions below.
2023 Summer Strong Grant Competitions:
- 2023 Summer Strong DC
- 2023 Summer Strong Small Nonprofit
- 2023 Summer Strong Coordinating Entity
Below you will find a few resources to support potential applicants:
For more information regarding the 2023 Summer Strong Grant Competitions, Information Sessions, or to ask specific questions, visit learn24.dc.gov or contact RFASummer23@dc.gov.
The Institute for Youth Development has announced the list of workshops that will be held in January 2023. Youth development professionals interested in improving their interactions with youth should register to attend one or more workshops below.
Space is limited! Register today.
The Commission on Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Commission) will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The OST Commission will hear updates from the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes, and the OST Commission Committees.
Individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to comment at a public meeting are asked to notify the OST Office in advance by email at learn24@dc.gov. Individuals should furnish their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational affiliation, if any, and if available, submit one electronic copy of their testimony by the close of business on Tuesday, January 24th at 5:00 pm.
Register here to attend.
Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN) provides trauma-informed afterschool and summer programming for youth ages 6-17. FAN's programming is carefully tailored to the needs of foster youth, those who may be impacted by the child welfare system, and youth that have experienced high levels of trauma or toxic stress. The staff is trained to use their lived experience to connect with youth participants and build relationships that will last until adulthood. The organization's mission is to be a youth centered community of safe places, linked hearts. By providing a safe environment for youth to come to be accepted, supported, and allowed the autonomy to become advocates for themselves and their peers FAN is a pillar of the community and has been for the last 17 years.
Learn more about FAN and their mission here. Below you will find a few pictures from FAN and their various interactions with youth in the city.
Last month, the OST Office and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education conducted a virtual discussion on how DC can ensure all of our youth have access to quality, engaging, educational, and enriching activities and opportunities beyond school hours.
Thank you for your participation. We ask that you complete this brief survey providing feedback from this event and how future events should look.
To access the recording of the conversation, please click here.
It’s National Mentoring Month! This January, join MENTOR in elevating the power of relationships by highlighting the benefits of mentoring, discussing best practices for supporting young people, and sharing inspiring stories from the field.
This National #MentoringMonth, reflect on the ways of helping support the next generation of leaders and change-makers. By connecting young people with caring adults, #MentoringAmplifies positive youth development - consider becoming a mentor today!
Click here to learn more about National Mentoring Month and how to get involved.
Learn more about the upcoming National Mentoring Summit that will take place on Wednesday, January 25 - Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC.
 In the first newsletter of each month, The Institute for Youth Development will highlight a specific indicator from the Weikart Center's Youth Program Quality Assessment (PQA) on promising practices in the field.
As the world changes, it is more important than ever to stay connected with youth. This connection can be made through positive, purposeful interactions. Positive interactions consist of asking questions, actively listening, and constantly encouraging youth. These interactions stimulate deep thinking and problem-solving and encourage genuine youth to adult partnerships. When youth practitioners learn appropriate methods of asking effective questions, and listening to the answers, improved communication and understanding ensues.
Ask Questions:
- Ask divergent or open-ended questions.
- Ask relevant and age appropriate questions.
- Balance questions with dialogue focused on the participant.
- Make sure every youth has the chance to respond even if the response is to not participate.
Actively Listen:
- Show that you are listening by demonstrating nonverbal cues and paraphrasing what the youth has said to show you are listening attentively to them.
- Identify youth’s feelings and empathize. Youth may not explicitly convey feelings so it is important to pay attention and observe what youth are saying. Supporting youth in identifying and exploring feelings rather than being condescending or judging.
- Let youth speak without interrupting.
- Try to remember context and details and relay them back to youth in the form of questions or statements.
Encourage Youth:
- Participate alongside youth by becoming a partner in the learning process. Youth should take the lead when experimenting with materials and adults and should support youth through the process.
- Encourage youth to describe plans, feelings, and goals.
- Make specific comments, which is more beneficial to youth than general praise. Youth should be able to use specific feedback to describe and expand ideas.
- Avoid judgment and be honest. Praise involves judgment, but encouragement is nonjudgmental. Truthful feedback can help youth learn and will provide honesty to youth.
Check out this link on tips for effective communication with youth of all age groups.
The Events DC Community Grant Program provides financial support to qualified nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting children through sports, performing arts, or cultural arts in the District of Columbia. The maximum grant amount is $25,000. Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Apply here.
The New York Life Foundation is seeking applicants for its Aim High local grant program to support the ability of local community-based afterschool and summer learning programs to provide the foundational skills and guidance that middle school students need to be prepared for the critical transition into high school. A total of 40 grant awards will be made nationwide. The maximum grant award for this competition is $100,000. Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Learn more about the application process here.
The 2023 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant presented by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. A total of 160 grants worth a collective total of $95,000 will be awarded. Grant amounts range from $500 to $1,500. Applications must be received by Friday, February, 10, 2023 to be considered. For more information, click here.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington is accepting applications to be a member of the 2023-24 Catalogue. The Catalogue for Philanthropy recognizes some of the best high-impact‚ community-based nonprofits in the Washington, DC region. Applications must be received by Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to be considered. Click here for more information, benefits, eligibility criteria, and areas of interest.
Weekly newsletter of funding opportunities.
 For resources and additional information on the District of Columbia Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
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