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Celebrating its sixth anniversary on October 24, 2023, the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) has been a beacon of positive change in the lives of young people in the District of Columbia. Over these six years, the OST Office has remained dedicated to enriching the experiences of youth through high-quality out-of-school time (OST) programs.
Our commitment extends beyond mere enthusiasm; it's a resolute promise to bolster the youth-serving organizations across the Nation's Capital, empowering them to provide young people with environments that nurture their well-being and growth.
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Over $90 Million in Grants: We've awarded over $90 million in grants to non-profit organizations dedicated to serving the youth of the District of Columbia. For a detailed account, you can explore our previous annual reports here.
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Empowering 180,000+ Youth: We've touched the lives of more than 180,000 young individuals, providing them with access to quality OST programs. This includes reaching out to youth and families at DC Housing Authority locations and Department of Human Services short-term family sites, ensuring they access quality summer and afterschool programs.
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Empowering Professionals: The Institute for Youth Development has facilitated over 460 workshops, benefiting over 4,600 youth development professionals. These workshops focus on enhancing daily interactions with youth. You can find the complete list of workshops available here.
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Recognized Excellence: We're honored to have been named as a finalist for the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation 19th Annual Awards. This recognition applauds outstanding performance and exemplary service within the DC Government. A study by Afterschool Alliance also ranked Washington, DC first in the top 10 states for afterschool in 2020. See the full study here.
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Citywide Initiatives: Instituted two citywide events Afterschool in the City and Summer in the City to connect families with community-based organizations to learn about the vast array of OST opportunities available.
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Funding Support for Community-Based Organizations: Distributed more than 675 grants to nonprofit organizations serving District of Columbia school-aged youth. Grants are awarded to organizations that provide OST programming during the school year, during the summer months, and year-round.
And these are just a few of the milestones we've achieved!
As the OST Office embarks on new horizons filled with experiences, challenges, and triumphs, we invite you to remain engaged with us. Share your stories, your passion, and participate in the plethora of offerings hosted by the OST Office.
Here's to the past six years and to the many more ahead, dedicated to the betterment of young lives in the District of Columbia. Thank you for being part of our journey!
This work could not have been completed without the support, commitment, and collaboration of the entire DC OST community.
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
The OST Office Team
The OST Office's Institute for Youth Development is committed to providing youth development professionals with an opportunity to gain practical skills that can be implemented in their interactions with youth immediately. This listing of upcoming workshops helps promote a positive environment with youth.
Register now! Space is limited.
There will be an OST Commission Meeting dedicated to discussing the draft OST Strategic Plan on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 6:00 pm. Any individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to comment at this meeting should 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 two business days prior to the meeting.
Register here to attend.
The Commission on Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Commission) is currently accepting applications from stakeholders who are committed to supporting equitable access to high-quality OST programs in the District of Columbia. Parents and youth are strongly encouraged to apply. The OST Commission focuses on providing resources and support to ensure a citywide system of high-quality OST programs. Interested in joining? Click here to submit your application.
Help families by listing your out-of-school time (OST) program(s) on the Learn24 program finder. Organizations that serve youth in the District of Columbia are encouraged to list their program. Families can use the program finder to identify out-of-school time (OST) programming in specific focus areas, ages, locations, and more for school-aged children. Complete this form to have your program listed.
826DC helps students ages 6-18 in the District of Columbia strengthen their writing skills, share what matters to them, and build a lifelong relationship with writing. The After-School Writing Lab (AWL) is a group of young writers and mentors that meet afterschool at the 826 writing center in Columbia Heights. Participants in 826DC can build community, strengthen confidence, improve writing skills, and make friends with fellow authors through short writing, publishing projects, play games, enjoy 826DC's onsite library, homework help, and choice-based small group activities.
Discover additional information regarding 826DC, read student publications, and get involved here.
Join the National Guild for Community Arts Education and the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, for a spotlight of the arts and humanities education community. This event beckons artists, art enthusiasts, educators, practitioners, and citizens alike. Participate in the brilliance of DC's local community and collaborate in lively discussions. As we unravel the significance, challenges, and aspirations of arts and humanities education in our nation's capital, join us in championing the arts as a catalyst for change, unity, and inspiration.
Learn more about this opportunity here.
The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.
Programs interested in learning more about how they can advocate for afterschool programs to boost student achievement, host an event, find an event, gather advice from professionals, engage policy makers and more should click here.
Issa Ouarid, representing Life Pieces to Masterpieces in Washington, DC, has been chosen as a Youth Ambassador for Afterschool Alliance for the 2023-2024 school year. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon just eight exceptional individuals from across the country, and they will spend the next eight months forming connections, honing their advocacy skills, and continuing to share their invaluable experiences to emphasize the critical role of afterschool programs.
In the coming months, these outstanding individuals will receive comprehensive training on effectively articulating their personal afterschool journeys within the broader national afterschool landscape. They will also gain valuable guidance on advocating for afterschool programs to policymakers, using their unique stories as compelling advocates for this vital cause.
Learn more about this remarkable program and discover how Issa and the other Youth Ambassadors are making a difference, here.
The Klorane Botanical Foundation is committed to supporting programs that teach respect for the environment and protect nature through the preservation of plant species and biodiversity. Designed to further their mission, the Budding Botanist Grant will help our students learn about plants, explore their world, and inspire them to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems. The grant award amount is $500. Grant applications must be received by Friday, October 20, 2023, to be considered. Learn more about this opportunity here.
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations that work to improve the lives of DC-area residents, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable and underserved individuals. Organizations that provide comprehensive services and work towards systemic change are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Here is information regarding the application process, funding restrictions, previous grant recipients, and more.
The Sparkplug Foundation seeks to fund projects that educate and support communities, including but not limited to school-age students, that move beyond traditional classroom instruction. Priority areas of funding include education, community organizing, and music. Past awardees have received grants of up to $20,000. For consideration the letter of intent must be received by Thursday, November 2, 2023. For more information on deadlines and criteria, click here.
The American Association of University Women offers grant assistance to community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects promoting education and equity for women and girls. Grant awards range from $3,000 to $10,000. Applications must be received by Wednesday, November 15, 2023. View information regarding eligibility, selection criteria, regulations, required components, and more here.
The DC chapter of the Awesome Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations that make DC more awesome. DC residents interested in improving the District of Columbia through arts, culture, and/or community experiences are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is Sunday, December 3, 2023. The full application can be found here.
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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