Missouri’s workforce development pipeline does not begin at graduation. It begins much earlier — in classrooms, community spaces, and afterschool programs where young people are introduced to career possibilities and entrepreneurial thinking.
The Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN) supports afterschool programs as a strategic driver of the workforce development pipeline through targeted entrepreneurship grants that align youth development with long-term workforce needs. For programs, these grants represent more than supplemental funding; they offer structured tools to strengthen career-connected learning and build sustainable community partnerships.
Youth Entrepreneurship Grants Build Foundational Skills
MASN’s Youth Entrepreneurship Grants, now open for Round 7 applications, provide up to $2,000 to Missouri K–12 afterschool and summer programs implementing entrepreneurship initiatives during the period of June–December 2026.
The grants are designed to move students along a Youth Entrepreneurship Pathway — from early exposure to applied, real-world experience. Afterschool programs receive access to nationally recognized curriculum, professional learning communities and coaching through MASN’s Youth Workforce Initiatives coordinator.
“Entrepreneurship Grants play a vital role in empowering young students by providing the essential resources needed to explore the world of entrepreneurship,” said Aaron Banks, youth workforce initiatives coordinator for MASN. “These opportunities nurture creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering independence and innovation. By equipping students with real-world experience, we are helping to shape a generation that will drive economic growth and positively impact society for years to come.”
For programs, this model reduces barriers to launching or expanding entrepreneurship programming while ensuring alignment with researched workforce readiness goals.
Entrepreneurship Grants Advance Local Innovation
Beyond entrepreneurship, MASN’s broader portfolio of entrepreneurship grants supports innovative afterschool initiatives tailored to local workforce priorities. Funding helps programs enhance student learning, expand career exploration, strengthen workforce readiness, and deepen partnerships with community stakeholders.
By investing directly in Missouri’s afterschool programs, MASN enables program leadership to design experiences that reflect regional industry demands while maintaining flexibility to meet the needs of their youth.
Partners in Possibility Grants Connect Youth to Industry
MASN’s Partners in Possibility Grants further reinforce the workforce strategy by formalizing partnerships between afterschool programs and local employers.
These grants support collaborations among chambers of commerce, businesses, nonprofits and educators in areas such as career awareness, postsecondary planning, STEM, entrepreneurship education, and service learning. The goal is to embed real-world relevance into afterschool programming and connect students with mentors and industry insight.
“Strong community partnerships are the backbone of entrepreneurial and workforce readiness for youth,” Banks said. “When local businesses, nonprofits and educators come together, we create real-world learning experiences that spark curiosity, build critical skills and open doors to future careers. These collaborations are essential drivers of long-term opportunity for Missouri’s youth.”
Aligning Afterschool with Economic Growth
Taken together, MASN’s grant initiatives represent a coordinated strategy to align afterschool programming with Missouri’s economic future. By pairing funding with curriculum, coaching, and statewide peer support, MASN ensures afterschool programs move beyond isolated activities toward sustainable, career-connected systems.
For Afterschool programs and community partnerships, the opportunity is twofold: strengthen local programming today while contributing to a broader workforce vision for their region.
Find eligibility requirements, grant guidelines or application details in the Entrepreneurship Grant Rules. The application deadline is April 30, 2026.
