Mott Million Dollar Challenge: Where Big Ideas Win Big
Application deadline: Feb. 27
Kids and teens everywhere have world-changing ideas that deserve the spotlight, and the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is their chance to shine. This national pitch competition invites K-12 students to submit a simple 30-90 second video sharing an idea that betters their very own school, home, or community.
Students can enter individually or in teams of up to three, and $1 million in prizes will be awarded across the competition! Submissions are due February 27, 2026.
Supported by funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is powered by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in collaboration with VentureLab, Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI), the Afterschool Alliance and Collaborative Communications.
2025-26 Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) and Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST)
Application deadline: Jan. 26, 2026
The goal of the FY 2025-26 Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) and Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants is to support a wide range of local community violence prevention and intervention strategies, including upstream prevention for at-risk school-age youth.1 This is a single, joint solicitation for VIP + BOOST applicants. Organizations with 501(c)4 status will submit BOOST applications separately (see details below.)
They Examined 3.3 Million Text Messages on Chronic Absenteeism. Here are the 4 Big Findings.
More than five years after the dawn of COVID-19, chronic absenteeism in U.S. schools remains high — at last count, it exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the fifth straight year. In about half of urban school districts, more than 30% of students were chronically absent, missing 10% or more school days.
Are Students “Quiet Quitting”? What This Trend Means for Afterschool Programs
A recent Education Week article explores whether students are beginning to “quiet quit” school doing the bare minimum to get by similar to trends seen in the adult workforce. National data show that middle and high school students are spending far less time on homework than in previous decades, with a growing number reporting that they do no homework at all. While some of this decline reflects changes in school homework policies, experts point to a broader issue: declining engagement and motivation among young people.
For afterschool programs, this trend highlights both a challenge and an opportunity. The article emphasizes that student effort is closely tied to relationships, relevance, and a sense of belonging areas where afterschool programs often excel. When young people feel connected to caring adults, have voice and choice, and see learning as meaningful and real-world focused, they are more likely to re-engage and persist.
Center for Youth Engagement and Social Justice (CYESS)
Center for Youth Engagement and Social Justice (CYESS) is a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people as leaders, advocates, and changemakers. CYESS partners with schools, afterschool programs, and community organizations to elevate youth voice, strengthen civic engagement, and advance social justice. Through training, research, tools, and youth-led initiatives, CYESS helps adults and organizations meaningfully engage young people in decision-making, leadership development, and community change—ensuring youth are not just heard, but are active drivers of solutions that impact their lives and communities.
The Remake Learning Days Youth Ambassador Program
Application deadline: Feb. 13
The Remake Learning Days Youth Ambassador Program is a paid opportunity for teens to increase awareness, enthusiasm, and attendance at Remake Learning Days events. Being a RLD Youth Ambassador is a great way for teens to connect with the community, learn media skills, and build professional experience. Ambassadors will also earn a stipend of up to $250 for the media products they create and there are openings in all of Pennsylvania's 67 counties! Students in grades 9 to 12 are welcome to apply -- and please spread the word. Applicants must live in the state of Pennsylvania and no experience is necessary. Acceptance is on a rolling basis.
Year in Review: Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 STEM Highlights
The Afterschool Alliance reflected on a busy and impactful year advancing STEM in afterschool programs nationwide. Despite challenges in the field, the Alliance stayed focused on ensuring all youth access high-quality STEM opportunities through its Afterschool STEM Hub and Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society (CYESS) initiatives.
Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary with $10k Scholarships for High School Seniors
Application deadline: Jan. 31
As Pennsylvania prepares to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, America250PA is investing in the next generation of leaders. Pennsylvania is awarding $250,000 in Semiquincentennial Scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors continuing their education right here at home.
Who can apply?
Pennsylvania high school seniors planning to attend an accredited Pennsylvania college or university for the 2026–2027 academic year.
What’s awarded?
25 scholarships
$10,000 each
Distributed across America250PA’s six regions
Where can they be used?
Any Pennsylvania college or university
Up to 12 awards for community college students
Up to 13 awards for students attending four-year institutions
When?
Scholarships will be awarded in 2026 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Active Learning Unleashed: Hands-on STEAM That Puts Students at the Center
Jan. 28, 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Virtual
Explore the shift from traditional, teacher-centered instruction to active-learning–oriented teaching, where students collaborate, experiment, and take ownership of their learning. The session will unpack what active learning looks like in afterschool and summer settings, why it boosts engagement, and how educators can implement it even with limited time and resources. Participants will learn what makes an effective lesson plan and how clear structure supports smoother teaching and stronger student outcomes. We will introduce the SMART Framework for writing learning objectives and discuss how well-defined goals keep lessons focused, purposeful, and student-centered.
Participate in this opportunity for local summer program providers to build relationships with one another; give and get suggestions around staffing, enrichment opportunities, field trips, and more. We know the summer is a time when organizations are facing unique challenges, and our goal is to create a space of shared community where providers can learn how to tackle challenges more easily from trusted peers.
826 National has launched the Write to Thrive Fund, a first-of-its-kind national initiative that uses the power of writing to support youth mental health. Through this opportunity, eligible organizations can apply for a $20,000 grant to implement writing and social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. In addition to funding, selected organizations will receive training, tools, and ongoing support from 826 National to strengthen youth voice, emotional expression, and well-being through writing.
Pennsylvania Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) is an initiative of Center for Schools and Communities, division of Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200, Camp Hill,PA,17011
