State Programs: After School Programs – Non-school Districts
🏛 Illinois State Board of Education
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Jul 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for school districts in Illinois to develop after-school programs serving students. School districts must lead applications and partner with local government, education organizations, faith-based groups, civic organizations, or philanthropic groups. Activities include academic enrichment, healthy activities, and strengthening community partnerships. Programs may include meal services through federal lunch or nutrition programs.
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Program description
Communities, with school districts as lead applicants, can apply for competitive grants to develop partnerships with local governmental entries, education organizations, faith-based organizations, civic organizations, and philanthropic groups to activate initiatives. The purpose of the After School Program grant awards are to:
• Improve academic outcomes for students;
• Provide opportunities for enrichment activities in a safe and healthy environment;
• Provide opportunities to strengthen public, private, and philanthropic partnerships so that quality support services are more durable for students facing the greatest challenges. Grantees may participate in the National School Lunch After School Snack Program and/or Child and Adult Care Food At Risk Program to augment offerings to students.
Strong relationship with local school or district must be documented. Beneficiaries: N/A Administered by the Illinois State Board of Education via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 586-84-2069).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- GATA application via Illinois CSFA portal (CSFA 586-84-2069)
- Letters of commitment from school district and community partners
- Project narrative describing academic outcomes and activities
- Budget and budget narrative
- Documentation of school district relationship and support
Program contact
- 👤 After School Programs Team
- 📧 afterschool@isbe.net
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $2,500,000 | |
| 2020 | $3,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $3,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $800,000 | |
| 2026 | $18,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
School districts in Illinois can apply as lead applicants. They must develop partnerships with local governmental, education, faith-based, civic, or philanthropic organizations.
What can the grant fund?
After-school enrichment activities, academic support, safe and healthy activities, and meal programs through federal nutrition initiatives.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is August 6, 2026. Check the Illinois GATA CSFA portal for specific submission details and any updates.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a competitive grant program with a $19.3 million pool. Strong community partnerships and documented school relationships strengthen applications.
What are the typical award sizes?
Award amounts are not specified in the grant announcement. Contact the Illinois State Board of Education for historical award ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build documented partnerships before applying. Letters of support from school districts and community partners are essential for competitiveness.
- Focus on how your program improves student academic outcomes and provides safe, enriching activities in the after-school setting.
- Show how you'll leverage meal programs (NSLP After School Snack or CACFP At Risk) to strengthen student support and sustainability.
- Demonstrate existing relationships with your local school district. Without strong district buy-in, your application will be weak.
- Coordinate with your school district early. They must understand and support your partnership approach since they are the lead applicant.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or undocumented school district partnerships. Applications that don't demonstrate real commitment from the school fail quickly. Unclear how activities improve academic outcomes. Generic descriptions of after-school programming don't address grant priorities. Missing meal program integration. Programs that don't connect to nutrition support miss a key funding opportunity.
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