Welcome to the Afterschool Enrichment Grant program, designed to enhance the quality and impact of afterschool programs through targeted funding opportunities. These grants support various initiatives that can transform your program and create meaningful experiences for students.
The enrichment grants are specifically designed to supplement and enhance existing programs, not supplant or replace current funding. You are allowed to apply for multiple enhancement package types. There will be an option to copy your answers on subsequent applications. Before applying, please be sure to read the 2024-25 ARPA Afterschool Enrichment Grant Guidance found at the blue button below.
Please use the accordian section below to review the specific requirements and documentation needed for each enhancement package. When you are ready to apply, please click on the Apply Now button to create your account and start the application process.
Most of the Enhancement Packages have two parts: 1) Payment by MASN to the program to cover costs for staff time, extra supplies/materials, etc. and 2) Payment by MASN to the enhancement provider to pay for the actual consulting, training, equipment, etc. **
For example, if you receive a grant for materials from STEMfinity, MASN will pay STEMfinity for the STEM kit materials that you select in consultation with them, and your program will receive the payment of $2000 for training time, consumable supplies (not in the kit), batteries, etc. You can choose to use these funds now additional materials beyond those included from STEMfinity or you might choose to save some of the funds for replacement items later. Either way, you only pay STEMfinity if you choose to purchase more than the STEM kit that you co-create with your STEMfinity consultant.
** A few packages do not have an enhancement partner and the funds sent to your program are to pay expenses directly (e.g., staffing, MOSAC, NAA, bus routes).
NEW – In some situations, afterschool programs may want the product or service, but would prefer not to have the extra payment to the program. This might happen if your district/administration doesn’t want the additional paperwork to receive the check. If that is the case, you can indicate in the application that you do not want the check and we can have the enhancement partner still work with you, but without doing the paperwork for your check.
Not everyone who was eligible for the Summer Enrichment grants will be eligible for the Afterschool Enrichment grant. Specifically, to be eligible for the Afterschool Enrichment grant, you must operate an Afterschool Program that meets criteria and definitions of used with federal funding sources (21st CCLC and SAC grants) and/or SB 1111. These criteria include serving students only school age children age 5 or above, at least 2-3 hours per day between 7am-6pm for a minimum of at least 4 days per week and 12 hours per week throughout the majority of the school year.
Don’t meet the requirements? If you would like more information about why you qualified for a summer enrichment grant, but not the afterschool enrichment grant, please watch this detailed recording.
2024/2025 ARPA Afterschool Enrichment Grants
Afterschool Enrichment Grant funding can be requested to pay for additional staff that work directly with children, but not counted in ratio. The additional adults could be paraprofessionals working with children with special needs, academic tutors, art/music/drama specialists that provide specialized activities, 4-H staff visiting the program weekly, etc.
Enhancement funds cannot be used to add staff counted in ratio or staff that do not work directly with the children/youth in the program (e.g., office staff, curriculum coordinators, etc.)
Requests for enhancement staff support will be available in increments:
- 5-8 hours/wk (at least 180 hours in the remaining school year) – $2500
- 13+ hours/wk (at least 234 hours in the remaining school year) – $5,000
The hours at each site can be applied to mulitple individuals. For example, if you are adding a piano teacher (2 hrs/wk) and a reading tutor (4 hrs/wk) at the same site, you could request $2500 for enhanement staff at that site.
An Afterschool Enrichment Grant can be requested for your site(s) to participate in the Devereau Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA). This includes program staff completing a short screening tool (8 questions) about each student in the program, followed by access to the DESSA curriculum resources. Programs will work with the MASN staff to upload student names into the Aperture platform and complete a Time 1 and Time 2 rating on their students. Time 1 ratings are useful for targeting activities to meet the specific needs of the youth at that site and Time 2 ratings are useful for documenting the progress made by implementing the activities.
An Afterschool Enrichment Grant can be requested for $2000 per field trip to enhance the educational offerings provided to youth in your program. The field trips must be educational in nature and be in addition to the number of field trips offered the previous year. Following the field trips, please provide a brief summary of the educational field trip(s), along with photos if you have photo releases to share. Limit 7 total additional educational field trips per program.
An Afterschool Enrichment Grant can be requested for $2000 per family educational engagement event to enhance the educational offerings to youth and families of your program. The family engagement events funded through this grant must be educational in nature and not supplant previous family educational events. Limit 7 family engagement events per program if 3 or more sites.
Programs wanting to measure and improve their point of service quality can apply for an Assess-Plan-Improve enrichment package. This package includes meeting with a Quality Coach (2x), PQA observation, Planning with Data session, developing a site level Quality Action Plan and access to online Youth Work Methods trainings. The $1500 payment will be made after the Planning with Data session for use to implement activities in the Quality Action Plan.
Note: Applicants for the Assess-Plan-Improve package will have a Zoom conversation with an Associate Director of Quality prior to scoring to ensure readiness, commitment, and fit to the quality improvement process.
Programs may apply for $1500 per additional staff member to be used for MOSAC registration and travel costs. Funds can be requested for staff in excess of the number of staff attending in 2023-24. For example, if your program had 4 staff attend 2023 MOSAC, Afterschool Enrichment Grant funds could be requested for the 5th, 6th, 7th, etc. attendees. (Limit 4 per program.)
Programs using the 220 Youth Leadership curricula and materials are eligible to apply for an enhancement package to bring up to 10 middle and/or high school students and 2 staff to a high-impact student event focused on life-changing skills (Leadership, Professional Communication, Employability Skills, Personal Finance, and Entrepreneurship). The full day event will be hosted at a Chicago Entrepreneurship Incubator and will include workshops, team building activities, prizes and opportunities to work on their most important passion projects and goals. After programming and during breaks, students will explore Chicago architecture, food, and culture throughout the city. Programs will receive a flat reimbursement of $5000 to cover travel costs. MASN will pay 220 Youth Leadership directly for their fees related to this Enhancement Package.
This enhancement package is for middle school and high school staff professional development. 220 Youth Leadership will provide live, virtual staff training to develop staff capabilities in teaching life-changing skills (Leadership, Professional Communication, Employability Skills, Personal Finance, and Entrepreneurship). A payment of $2000 will be made to the program after the training plan has been created with 220 Youth Leadership to cover staff time, supplies, etc. MASN will pay 220 Youth Leadership directly for their fees related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
The 220 Learning Track is for middle and high school students to participate in self-paced, hybrid, or instructor-led 220 Youth Leadership content. Choose from six available tracks: Leadershp, Resume Interview, Workforce, Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, or Middle to High School Transitions. A payment of $2000 to the program will be made after the consultations to set up student accounts with 220 Youth Leadership has been completed. MASN will pay 220 Youth Leadership directly for their expenses related to the Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
One full Experiential Social Emotional Learning Kit. https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/training-kits/products/sel-kit-social-emotional-learning-kit . One virtual onboarding session that informs the programs/sites of what materials they will be receiving and details about the in-person training. Attendance to a 2-day in-person training in Missouri at a central location, facilitated by a Training Wheels master facilitator. A payment of $2000 will be made to the program for training expenses, consumables, supplies, etc. After documentation of attendance at the in-person training, a second payment of $1500 can be requested to continue to support the implementation of the SEL content. MASN will pay Training Wheels directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense. Limit: 30 programs.
One Facilitated Growth Kit. https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/facilitated-growth-kit . One virtual on-boarding session that informs grantees about the Kit and the in-person training. One in-person training facilitated by a Training Wheels Master Facilitator held in mid-Missouri. A payment of $2000 will be made to the program for training expenses, consumables, supplies, etc. After documentation of attendance at the in-person training, a second payment of $1500 can be requested to continue to support the implementation of the SEL content. MASN will pay Training Wheels directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense. Limit: 30 programs.
The Idea to Pitch Program from Venture Lab includes:
- Educator training: Up to 3-hour virtual session, unlimited seating
- Coaching: Up to 4, one hour sessions of ongoing professional learning
- Curriculum: Digital Student Playbook & Instructor Guide
- Program Activation Kit: 26 student playbooks, instructor guide, mindset posters & stickers, all required activity materials
- Schedule: Custom Pacing Guides
- Pitch Event Planning Guide: How-to guide to host your own in-person community event
- Data Report: Measure and report on instructor and youth impact
Note: Sites in the St Louis area may be eligible for in-person support on a limited basis.
A payment of $1500 per site will be made to the program to cover staff time, supplies, materials, etc. MASN will pay Venture Lab directly for their costs associated with this Enhancement Package. Programs my opt into additional services with this vendor at their own expense. Limit: 12 programs.
Programs serving middle and high school students can participate in the DESSA – Student Self Report enhancement package. Students complete a short survey resulting in a strenghts profile with resources and recommended lessons. Programs will receive $1500 to cover staff time for training and materials/supplies for implementing activities to support youth success. MASN wil pay Aperture Education directly for their fees related to this Enhancement Package.
Programs will receive a series of ten virtual coaching sessions and five virtual trainings for their team as a part of this package. The coaching and training sessions will be designed to cater to the specific needs of the youth at the program, and the consultant will meet with the program director in advance to assess team needs.This package is designed to enhance the skills of the staff as they work with youth and families in the program. After participating in this series, participants will have a renewed connection to their purpose, an invigorated approach, and an increase in their youth development skills. A payment of $2000 will be made to the program for staff time, expenses, etc. MASN will pay The Extraordinary in You directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
| Programs will receive coaching, training, and support, along with 10 full drone kits, and the possibility of an inflatable or stationary practice arena based on participation. Visit https://www.dronesports.us/ for more information. Adult leader training includes online modules and assembly of one of the provided kits. Programs will have the option to participate in a state Drone Soccer tournament in a location to be determined based on locations of participating programs. A payment of $2000 will be made now to the program for staff time, extra supplies, batteries, etc. A second payment of $3000 will be made later, along with a drone soccer arena, upon commitment by the program to participate in events with other afterschool programs. MASN will pay Drone Soccer directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense. |
Programs will receive a virtual workshop for staff (2 hours, up to 50 people) along with 6 kid-grit Amazing Activity Guides (https://kid-grit.com/our-services/activity-guide/). This package offers a blend of social and emotional learning and drama games that flow easily in any formal or informal environment. By integrating intellectual, emotional, and mentally challenging activities with physical movement youth of all ages experience engaging, and thought-provoking moments that build resilience and self-regulation. Program will receive $2000 for supplies, materials, additional facilitator guides, etc. MASN will pay kid-grit directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
“Programs will receive a virtual workshop for staff (2 hours, up to 50 people) along with 5 kid-grit Writing for Wellness guides (https://kid-grit.com/our-services/writing-for-wellness/). This student-centered, emotional well-being and literacy guide offers 25+ hours of creative writing activites that address mental wellness. This unexpected and transformative experience encourages participants to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, build social-emotional skills, and connect with others in a meaningful way through a creative writing process. Programs will receive $2000 for supplies, materials, additional facilitator guides, etc. MASN will pay kid-grit directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
Programs will receive training for staff, along with 6 facilitator guides and 6 class sets of student journals based on their student ages (K-3, 4-6, or 7-12) for the kid-grit Curriclum (https://kid-grit.com/our-services/curriculum/). Staff training includes either 2 virutal or 1 in-person training and 1 group virutal coaching session (for up to 50 people). Programs will receive $2000 for training time, supplies, addiitonal materials, etc. MASN will pay kid-grit directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
STEMfinity proudly offers a comprehensive Afterschool Enrichment Bundle designed to empower afterschool programs with high-quality STEM education solutions. Our bundle provides:
- Custom STEM Consultation: Expert guidance to help programs identify and select STEM products that align with their specific goals and needs.
- STEM Bundles: A curated collection of STEM products tailored to engage students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
- Professional Development: Train the Trainer includes virtual training sessions, webinars, coaching, and implementation support, to ensure successful integration of STEM activities into programs.
Programs will receive $2000 for training time, supplies, addiitonal materials, etc. MASN will pay STEMfinity directly for their expenses, including the curated STEM products related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional materials or services at their own expense.
This package provides funding for additional transportation to/from the afterschool program. This transportation enhancement must be “in addition to” the transportation currently offered by the program (this funding should not supplant current funding). Program will receive $10,000 to use for transportation costs. Note: This enrichment package is for adding transportation to help more students attend the program or to make bus routes more efficient. The funding is not for transportation to/from field trips or other events.
Programs may apply for $2000 per additional staff member to be used toward NAA registration and travel costs. Funds can be requested for staff in excess of the number of staff attending in 2024 NAA. For example, if your program had 2 staff attend 2024 NAA, the Afterschool Enrichment Grant funds could be requested for 3rd and 4th attendee in 2025. The program will receive $2000 per eligible staff (limit 2) to put toward NAA expenses. Programs/attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
The Young Entrepreneur Institute will provide consultation and supplies to help the afterschool program build a custom entrepreneurial library with new books and games curated specifically for the ages and stages of the students you support. YEI’s team of knowledgeable educators will provide two “personal shopping” sessions to help afterschool programs select appropriate entrepreneur books and games. Games and books will be purchased by Youth Entrepreneur Institute and sent to the afterschool program. Programs with one site will receive $1500 for staff time, additional supplies or materials, etc. Programs with 2 or more sites participating in the enhancement will receive $1500 once, plus an additional $500 per site (2nd, 3rd, etc.). MASN will pay YEI directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
The Young Entrepreneur Institute will provide consultation and supplies to help the afterschool program start up a youth micro-business. Specifically, program will receive a training workshop for staff on brainstorming micro-businesses, consultation to recommend resources to youth, a workshop for students on pricing and presentation, start up supplies, and the Student Entrepreneurship Experience Reflection framework. Programs with one site will receive $1500 for staff time, additional supplies or materials, etc. Programs with 2 or more sites participating in the enhancement will receive $1500 once, plus an additional $500 per site (2nd, 3rd, etc.). MASN will pay YEI directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
The Young Entrepreneur Institute will provide consultation and supplies to help the afterschool program start up a youth micro-business. Specifically, program will receive a training workshop for staff on brainstorming micro-businesses, consultation to recommend resources to youth, a workshop for students on pricing and presentation, start up supplies, and the Student Entrepreneurship Experience Reflection framework. Programs with one site will receive $1500 for staff time, additional supplies or materials, etc. Programs with 2 or more sites participating in the enhancement will receive $1500 once, plus an additional $500 per site (2nd, 3rd, etc.). MASN will pay YEI directly for their expenses related to this Enhancement Package. Programs may opt into additional services at their own expense.
| This package provides professional development (Asking Purposeful Questions or STEM Replication) and onsite or virtual mentoring, along with key equipment for one of the STEM Mobile Lab lessons. Program staff are expected to implement the additional STEM Playlist lessons. Programs may select from a Rigamajig (K-5) or Cubelets (K-8) package. Limited 2-hour sessions are available for the STEM Mobile Lab Educator to lead youth actvities at a site. If an on-site session is scheduled with the STEM Mobile Lab Educator, program staff are expected to supervise the youth and participate in the STEM lessons. MASN will pay for the equipment (Rigamajig or Cubelets) from the respective vendor. |
| This package provides consultation and training to enhance the skills of staff who work directly with youth. Approved programs will work with a MASN quality team member to select training content, format, and dates. Limited onsite sessions are avaialble. Programs may choose to receive $1500 for the implementation of activities related to selected training. Content options include Asking Purposeful Questions, Youth Voice, Developmental Assets, Behavior Management, Flourish Lab content, or Team Buildling. |
| Programs may apply for $1000 to be used toward registration and travel costs (limit 1). Programs will pay for all costs upfront and receive the payment after attendance has been verified. Programs/attendees are responsible for registering for the conference and making their own hotel arrangements. |
This enhancement package supports one staff member to attend the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality’s Youth Work Methods (YWM) Training of Trainers (TOT). Following the training, the individual will be certified to provide the 10 research-based YWM trainings to staff at your program. The YWM TOT is an intense training equivalent to taking a 3-credit college course. Individuals must work on pre-training assignments and attend a weekly webinar 6 weeks prior to the 3 day onsite training (June 16-18 in Columbia, MO). This is a fantastic professional experience and a huge benefit to programs to be able to provide the YWM trainings to their staff directly, but it is a significant time committment for the trainer to become certified. MASN will pay the YWM TOT registration fee directly to the Weikart Center (code will be provided for registration in the Weikart system) and the program can choose to receive a flat reimbursement of $2000 to cover other expesense such as travel costs, staff time, expenses, etc.
This package allows programs to request funding to provide student enrichment opportunities not covered by other enrichment packages. Funds should be used for supplies, materials, etc. that promote quality interactions and support the academic, social-emotional, and other developmental needs of the children and youth in the program.
Applications will be thoroughly reviewed for clear impact on the program youth and appropriateness of funding request to impact. Application questions include a detailed list of expenses, learning objectives, budget justification, etc.
| This package provides sites with a virtual consultation and onboarding (1 hour, up to 20 people) and age appropriate kits for each trained site. K-5 sites can apply for the Magic 101 Kits for 1 instructor and 20 students, including props, lesson plans, and student activity sheets. This package offers 10 fully developed lessons, each building on the previous, designed to develop students’ skills progressively. Activities are designed to teach magic tricks while building creativity, teamwork, and confidence. Sites serving 6-12 grade can apply for the A+ Card Tricks Kits for 1 instructor and 20 students, including special decks of cards, lesson plans, and teaching guides. A+ Card Tricks is a 10-lesson program that equips staff to teach card magic while helping students develop critical thinking, confidence, public speaking, and problem-solving skills. The virtual consultation and onboarding will discuss implementing strategies, provide access to the online video portal, and review included supplies. Each site must have a staff member attend the virtual training to receive a site kit. One payment of $2000 will be made to the program to help offset staff time, consumable materials, etc. MASN will pay The Magician School directly for the consultation and kits. (Limit 125 sites) |
This package is an “add on” to the Magician School Kits. Limit 30 programs. The Magician School will provide an in-person 45-minute hands-on magic workshop excusively for 30 afterschool program students and potentially a 45-minute family-friendly magic show if it can be scheduled on the same day. Designed to entertain and inspire creativity, teamwork, and hands-on learning, the workshop provides step-by-step instruction with beginner-friendly tricks, and students keep the props to continue practicing their new skills. This package includes a 30-minute virtual consultation prior to the event to discuss details such as the date, time, itinerary, and customization options to ensure a successful and tailored experience. The magic show features family-friendly magic with jokes, audience participation, and an appearance by Bubbles the Bird—Mikayla’s highly trained magical assistant who appears, vanishes, and even gives high fives! After the show, students have the chance to meet, pet, and high-five Bubbles. (Limit 20 programs – must also apply for and receive the Magician School Kits.)
This enrichment package includes on-site weekly facilitation for 15 youth participants by a Flip That House associate delivered in up to 8 group sessions of 1.25 hours in length (or adjusted to accommodate program hours). Flip that House provides an introduction to the basic concepts of real estate and investing, becoming an inventor and entrepreneur, and the necessary steps and challenges one may face. The program engages students in gameplay and problem-based learning using Flip That House The Board Game. Sessions include guest speakers to highlight career exploration with guest speakers from union trades and professional real estate agents. Each youth member will receive a corresponding student activity workbook, materials, and supplies for a successful experience and participation in the culmination event and Flip That House competition with prizes through the “Grand Celebration”. This package is avaialble to sites serving middle school and high school grades and is limited to the following counties: St, Charles, St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Jackson County.
This package includes training and materials for site staff to implement the Flip that House program. Staff will receive 6-8 hours of training (3 virtual sessions) along with supplies for 20 youth participants: Flip that House University Board Games (4), youth activity workbooks (20), and materials and supplies for a successful experience and participation in the Flip that House competition with prizes and the “Grand Celebration”. Through the virtual workshops, professionals will be introduced to the facilitation skills to use the Flip That House Board game to introduce the basic concepts of real estate and investing, becoming an inventor and entrepreneur, and the necessary steps and challenges one may face. Training in the skills to facilitate the program includes engaging students in gameplay and problem-based learning using Flip That House The Board Game along with facilitation techniques designed to recruit guest speakers to highlight career exploration with guest speakers from union trades and professional real estate agents.
Funding for the ARPA Afterschool Enrichment Grant was made possible through a contract with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to distribute a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 1% Set-aside for Afterschool to youth serving programs across the state.