2025–26 After School Education and Safety grant program (Round 2)
🏛 CA Department of Education (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Aug 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations interested in expanding access to College Corps programming through education award slots. The program is administered by California Volunteers and targets eligible organizations operating in California. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to provide educational support and services to program participants. Specific eligibility requirements depend on organization type and program readiness, with selection based on competitive criteria addressing community need and organizational fit.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to: (1) maintain existing before and after school program funding; and (2) provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. This is round 2 of the 2025-26 ASES Request for Applications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- RFA cover sheet or application form
- Project narrative/proposal
- Organization budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of nonprofit status or organizational registration
- Letters of support or partnerships (if applicable)
- Organization capacity documentation
Program contact
- 📧 ExpandedLearning@cde.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-319-0923
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 58 | 36 | 62% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Organizations working in California that can offer College Corps programming are eligible. Check CA Volunteers' full eligibility guidelines for organization type and capacity requirements.
What is the funding timeline?
The deadline is August 6, 2025. Awards typically fund education-related activities over a defined project period.
What can education award dollars be used for?
Education awards support participant educational goals and related activities within approved College Corps programming.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a competitive pilot program. Selection favors organizations with strong community connections and clear plans to serve participants.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $20,000 to $80,000 per organization. Actual award amounts depend on organizational capacity and selection criteria scores.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Research what "education award only" means in the College Corps context before writing—this limits scope to education-related expenses, not general operating funds.
- Emphasize community partnerships and student support infrastructure in your proposal.
- Clearly identify which participant populations you'll serve and why your organization is uniquely positioned to reach them.
- Show realistic timelines and metrics for participant enrollment and education outcomes.
- Connect your proposal directly to the "expansion" focus—explain how you'll meaningfully scale access beyond current reach.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear definition of what "education award only" activities your organization will fund or how they fit College Corps programming. Weak community need assessment or lack of evidence of organizational readiness to manage education services. Underestimating administrative burden of managing individual education awards or unclear participant recruitment and support plans.
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