Funding to Support Summer Program: Lessons From The Field

January 21, 2016

This guide aims to help communities identify potential sources of funding to support summer programs for youth. Research indicates that high-quality summer programming:

  • Helps prevent summer learning loss, especially for children from low-income families.
  • Provides youth with active recreational activities and nutritious food to keep them healthy.
  • Supports working families by providing enriching, supervised activities for youth while their parents are at work.
  • Fosters children’s social-emotional development through positive relationships with peers and caring adults.

This guide includes the following public funding sources:

  • 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC)
  • Supplemental or ASSETs (After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens)
  • Title I funds
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • City or County funds

The guide also includes a description of the following private funding sources:

  • Foundations (independent, community and corporate)
  • Fees paid by participants’ families

Although there are a myriad of funding sources that summer programs can use, the funding sources described in this guide were selected because summer programs in the Bay Area have successfully accessed them and they appear to be sources that could be used by a broad variety of other summer programs.

General Funding Tips from the Field:

The following is a summary of general advice from summer program administrators to others interested in trying to create summer programs:

  • Be sure the funding sources secured for your program match your program model. Don’t pursue a funding source just because it is available. If the funding source’s requirements do not align with your program model or goals, it will be difficult to produce the results or impact required by the funding source.
  • Build relationships with public and private organizations that might provide resources for a summer program.
  • When partnering with other organizations to offer summer programming, start discussing goals, funding needs, roles and responsibilities early. Extra time and effort is needed to ensure communication is in place across organizations.
  • Document your summer program’s track record. Having data and a proven track record helps access funding.

Similar Resources

  • Diving Into Summer Learning ProgramsDecember 11, 2017 - 11:49 pm

    Summer learning programs are distinctively different from traditional summer school programs. For Nazaneen Khalilnaji-Otto, the Summer Matters campaign director at the Partnership for Children and Youth, one word sums up the difference between the summer learning model and summer school: “fun.” Summer learning takes on a “camp-like culture,” and these programs are generally open to all students, rather than only students seeking remedial or advanced coursework.

  • Last Chance to Nominate a Summer SuperheroSeptember 20, 2017 - 9:21 pm

    Do you know a Superintendent who has demonstrated extraordinary support for summer learning programs during the time between September 2016-September 2017? Can you help us find and celebrate this superhero? Summer Matters is looking for nominations for our Superhero award, given each year to California Superintendents who make summer learning matter in their districts.

  • 2017 Summer Matters Road Trip Media CoverageAugust 25, 2017 - 10:31 pm

    The Summer Matters Road Trip was huge this year! We traveled to programs in 15 different cities, spreading the word about the importance of summer learning. But don’t take our word for it, check out the media coverage of several of the stops on the road trip.

21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER (21ST CCLC) SUPPLEMENTAL OR ASSETS

These federally-funded programs are used to establish or expand afterschool and summer activities for K-12 students that focus on the following three areas: (1) improved academic achievement; (2) enrichment services that complement the academic program; and (3) family literacy. ASSETS (After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens) grants are made to eligible high school programs and the funds can be used for programming both during the school year and during the summer.

Eligibility for 21st CCLC Funding

Applicants can be school districts and county offices of education, or cities, counties, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, public or private agencies, or a consortium of two or more such agencies that collaborate with the local school district or county office of education.

To be eligible for a 21st CCLC grant, the applicant must be serving students from schools that are eligible for Title 1 Schoolwide Programs, which, in most cases, is demonstrated by at least 40% of the school’s population being enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. (Note: The California Department of Education (CDE) may include additional eligibility criteria that would allow the inclusion of schools below the 40% free and reduced lunch threshold, such as feeder school data and other potential measures of need that may not be captured in a school’s free and reduced lunch numbers.)

Amount of 21st CCLC Funding Available

21st CCLC Supplemental funds are capped at 30% of a school site’s core after school 21st CCLC and/or ASES grant, with budgets calculated using a daily rate of $7.50 per child. 21st CCLC Before School Supplemental funds are capped at 30% of the core before school 21st CCLC grant, with budgets calculated using a daily rate of $5 per child.

Allowable Uses of 21st CCLC Funds

Supplemental funds must be used for programming during the 180 non-school days of the year to offer at least 3 hours of programming a day for students in grades K-8. If used in combination with 21st CCLC Before School Supplemental, the program must operate at least 4.5 hours per day. ASSETS grants can be used for programming both during the school year and during the summer. Program sites can be located at schools or in a safe location as accessible as a school site.

How to Access 21st CCLC Funds

21st CCLC Supplemental funding is part of CDE’s 21st CCLC application process for elementary and middle school youth and can be included in an application for core after school funding. Existing After School Education and Safety (ASES) grantees are also eligible to apply through the 21st CCLC application process for the 21st CCLC Supplemental component without applying for core after school funding. (Note: ASES grantees with awards prior to the 2006-2007 school years – when Proposition 49 was implemented – may also have Supplemental funding. This funding follows most of the same rules as the 21st CCLC elementary and middle school Supplemental funding.) A separate application for an ASSETS grant – as part of an application to provide year-round programming – must be submitted to CDE for programs serving high school students.

Some communities already have 21st CCLC Supplemental, ASSETS or ASES Supplemental funding through an existing grant to a district, city or community organization. Organizations that are interested in partnering with the existing grantee to provide summer or intersession programming may do so through a subcontract. A first step would be to find out if there are existing Supplemental or ASSETS grants in your community, what entity is the grantee and how the funds are being used.

For more information

www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ba/cp/

TITLE I FUNDS

Schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students can access Title I funds to promote student achievement, staff development, and parental and community involvement. There are several different federal funding streams under Title I. Title I, Part A – Basic Grant Funds are allocated to all eligible schools and can be used to support extended learning opportunities, which can include summer and after-school programs. Title I, Part A – School Improvement Funds can be used by schools and school districts considered “in need of improvement” (also know as “Program Improvement” schools) to offer additional services, such as summer programming, which will help the school transition out of Program Improvement status. Schools or school districts in Program Improvement may apply to the California Department of Education (CDE) for Title I, Part A-School Improvement Funds.

Eligibility for Title I Funds

To be eligible to receive any Title I, Part A funds, at least 40% of the school’s or school district’s student population must qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Almost all school districts in California receive some amount of Title I funding.

To be eligible for the Title I, Part A – School Improvement Funds, a school or school district needs to be designated as in Program Improvement status in addition to meeting the basic Title I, Part A funding eligibility.

Amount of Title I Funding Available

The amount of funding varies by school site and school district.

Allowable Uses of Title I Funds

Title I, Part A – Basic Grant Funds can be used for salaries of staff to oversee, coordinate or directly operate summer programming, professional development opportunities for summer program staff involved in academic achievement strategies (even if 8 the salaries of those staff members are not paid with Title I funds), and to purchase equipment, curriculum materials, and supplies for summer programs. For the Title I, Part A –School Improvement Funds, activities must relate to implementing the school or school district’s improvement plan, which among other strategies, can include extended learning opportunities, before and after school programs, and summer programming.

How to Access Title I Funds

The federal Title I, Part A funds are allocated to school districts and county offices of education by the CDE. For the Title I, Part A-Basic Grant Funds, CDE allocates the funds based on the percentage of low-income students in each school district and county office of education. For the Title I, Part A- School Improvement Funds, CDE awards the funds to those schools and school districts with Program Improvement status that apply for the funds. Funding amounts are based on demonstrated need and commitment to school-wide improvement.

In many cases, school principals and school leadership teams (which may include school staff, parents and other stakeholders) have control over Title I, Part A-Basic Grant Funds and Title I, Part A- School Improvement Funds. Generally, most school districts allocate a portion of these funds to each eligible school and then the school principal and school leadership team determine how they will be used. In some cases, though, the school district can require that a portion of these funds be used in specific ways, such as to support summer programming.

To find out more about how Title I funds are used in your school district or county office of education, ask the agency for the name of the staff person(s) who oversees Title I funds. This staff person may be part of a fiscal department or an academically or instruction-focused department or division. Ask the staff member who oversees this funding which type of Title I funds, including Title I recovery funds from the ARRA, the agency has access to and how it plans to use them. Ask the staff person how much of each funding stream the district receives, how it is distributed to schools, and the amounts distributed to schools.

You might also want to meet with school site staff or school leadership teams to learn more about how the funds are used at the school site level. Using this information, present a proposal to the agency or school principal for using some Title I funds for summer programming. Be sure to justify why the funds should support summer programming rather than other school or school district needs and define how the summer strategies will support the school or district’s goals.

For more information

www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/t1/titleparta.asp
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/programimprov.asp
www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/ar/

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

Funds are available through local government entities to support community services, such as summer programming, for low- to moderate-income residents. These federal grants are used to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, providing a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate- income individuals. Since summer programming can help support low-income working families, can foster prevention of criminal activity, and can include programming which overlaps with community development goals (such as community service, service-learning, neighborhood beautification, career development, etc.) it meets the national criteria used to determine what activities can be funded. Most local government entities utilize a public input process to determine an application process for accessing the funds. Depending on the community, there may be many competing demands on this funding stream.

Eligibility for CDBG Funds

Eligibility criteria may differ among local government agencies, but a majority of CDBG funds are awarded to nonprofit and public entities to support low or moderate-income individuals . The primary federal objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable communities by “providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.”

Amount of CDBG Funding Available

The amount of funding available to summer programs on the local level varies widely. Overall, a maximum of 15% of CDBG funds can be used for public services, which include summer programs.

Allowable Uses of CDBG Funds

Overall CDBG funds are targeted to serving low- to moderate- income individuals. Additional requirements are often applied by the local entity that allocates the funding. CDBG funding, under the category of “public services,” can be used to fund summer tutoring, mentoring, parenting classes, recreation programs, arts and cultural programming, job and life skills activities, and health and mental health services. Under the category of “public improvements and facilities,” CDBG funds can be used for the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of facilities for summer programs and community school initiatives.

How to Access CDBG Funds

CDBG funds are generally distributed by HUD in two different ways. Large cities across the nation receive an entitlement grant based on community need. HUD also distributes funds to states based on a formula and then states pass the funds to smaller communities that are not large enough to qualify for the entitlement grants. These local government entities then award funds to local agencies or nonprofit organizations to implement programs or deliver services.

Local government entities typically create and use a committee to review applications and determine which will be funded. These committees may be comprised of elected officials, civil servants, and/or residents. In most cities and towns, the city’s community development and/or planning department oversees CDBG funds. For unincorporated areas or special districts, typically the county’s office of community development and/or planning or a community development/planning agency oversees CDBG funds.

To find out more about how CDBG funds are used in your community, review the directory of contact information for the local staff of large cities and counties that receive funding directly from HUD at http://www.hud.gov/local/ca/community/cdbg/index.cfm.

If a local jurisdiction is not listed, call the county government offices. Ask for the staff person who handles community development issues. If the local contact person says that summer programming is a service that could be funded, find out more about the amount of funding available, timing, funding requirements, and application process. If you apply, attend all public meetings related to funding decisions and contact your elected officials to ask them to support your application.

For more information

www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/cdbg/about.html

CITY OR COUNTY FUNDS

There is a wide variety of approaches that cities and counties use to support summer programming for youth. In some cities and counties, local taxpayer funds are used to support summer programming for youth. Some of these programs are primarily recreational in nature and may be administered by the Parks and Recreation Department. Other programs may be focused on exposing youth to arts and/or career and job readiness skills, and may involve several city or county entities.

Although not as common, some cities and counties might designate funds for summer youth programming and then contract with schools or nonprofit organizations to operate the programs, such as in Oakland and San Francisco. Some summer programs supported by local city or county funds are targeted to a specific youth population. Many of these city or county-subsidized programs charge fees, while some are free to participants.

Eligibility, Amount & Allowable Uses of City or County Funds

Varies significantly by city and county and by program purpose and target population.

How to Access City or County Funds

The types and amounts of funding that are available to support summer programming vary among communities. To begin to identify possible summer funds in your community, try contacting your city’s recreation and parks department or community services department. You may also want to contact your county’s human services or social services department to inquire about summer funding.

Once you identify which departments oversee funding for summer programming, try to build relationships with staff and stakeholders 13 working with the department. Seize opportunities to participate in related public meetings and events to learn more about what types of activities have been supported and what the department wants to support.

Even if your city or county does not have funding available to support summer programming, there may be ways the city or county can support your organization’s summer programming by, for example, donating facility space, materials, transportation, or staff, or helping to promote your program in publications or at events.

For more information

California Parks and Recreation Society: www.cprs.org
Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership: www.ccspartnership.org
League of California Cities: www.cacities.org
California State Association of Counties: www.csac.counties.org

FOUNDATIONS (INDEPENDENT, COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE)

Some foundations that fund youth-related services will support summer programming for youth. These foundations may provide general support to an organization or to its year-round youth programming strategy; targeted support to the summer program; or even more targeted support to specific aspects of the summer program such as transportation, field trips, academic supports, professional development for summer staff, and/or scholarships for youth participants. Most foundations have specific funding guidelines and criteria, which may include geographic, population, programmatic, or other priorities. Foundations vary in terms of when and how grant decisions are made, in addition to the grant award amounts and reporting requirements.

Eligibility, Amount & Allowable Uses of Foundation Funds

Varies significantly by foundation.

How to Access Foundation Funds

Foundations change their guidelines frequently and should be researched before submitting a grant application. When researching a foundation, review their funding guidelines, funding timelines, eligibility criteria, and application process. It might also be helpful to review the types of programs and services the foundation is currently supporting.

For more information

Foundation Center: www.foundationcenter.org

FEES (REGISTRATION, SESSION FEES, TUITION, ETC.)

Many summer programs charge fees of some sort to help support the program. These fees can be one-time up-front registration fees, weekly or daily fees per session of programming, membership or enrollment tuition fees. Sliding scale fees and scholarships or discounts can help low-income families access summer programming. Income collected through fees is very flexible in terms of how it can be used to support the various aspects of summer programming, although there are typically some costs associated with the actual collection and administration of fees.

Eligibility

Summer programs can charge fees if their funding sources do not prohibit the use of fees and if participating families are willing to pay fees. Under state law, ASES and 21st CCLC Supplemental grantees can charge fees for participation in summer programs although no student can be turned away from the program due to inability to pay.

Amount of Funding Available

The amount of fee-based income available varies significantly.

Allowable Uses of Funds

Generally funds generated from fees are unrestricted, and can be used in a variety of ways to support summer programming. If using fees in conjunction with ASES or 21st CCLC Supplemental grants, CDE states that “any fees collected must be used to fund the program activities specified in the grant application.”

How to Structure Fees

There are many ways to structure fees for summer programs. Programs can charge all families the same one-time or recurring fee or they can charge fees on a sliding scale based on income, need and/or family size. Programs can charge fees for applying to the program, registering for the program, and/or enrolling in the program or certain components of the program. Fees can be charged once in the beginning of the summer, or at regular intervals throughout the summer such as weekly, monthly, or by program session.

Please remember that summer programs funded by ASES and the 21st CCLC Supplemental grants may not deny access to families that cannot afford to pay fees. The fee structure must, therefore, include a sliding scale to $0 and/or a scholarship.

To help you determine program fees, you might want to consult with your local child care planning council to inquire about the fees charged for summer programs. You can access a list of the councils in each county at http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/lpccontacts.asp.

Your local parks and recreation department might be another useful resource in determining how to structure fees. Many parks and recreation departments charge fees for summer recreation, youth development, tutorial, or camps which may include services or activities that are similar to your summer program. You can call your local government to ask for the park and recreation department or district, and you can view the resources and contacts listed on the California Park and Recreation Society’s website at www.cprs.org.

Read and share this report with your team. The full report contains examples of programs that have used the different funding sources and additional contact information.