Urgent Action Needed: House Budget Eliminates OST Funding
Last week, the Michigan House passed a School Aid budget that eliminates dedicated funding for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs under Section 32n.
Instead of maintaining the $50 million OST grant program administered by MiLEAP, the House budget shifts the funds into general school funding.
This is not a realignment. This is an elimination.
Nonprofits and other youth serving organizations are the backbone of Michigan’s OST system. Under Section 32n, at least 60% of the funding is intended to go to community organizations — who partner with schools and families to deliver before, afterschool and summer programming. These funds are meant to be flexible, community-rooted, and responsive to local needs.
Michigan's OST funding provides grants to support before-school, after-school, and summer learning programs for K-12 students. These programs offer expanded learning opportunities, such as STEM, arts, literacy, mentoring, and community engagement, while also ensuring a safe and supportive environment outside of regular school hours.
Without dedicated funding, programs will close. Families will lose support. Kids will miss out.
We need you to act now.
Contact your State Representative and Senator today and urge them to include dedicated OST funding in the final FY25–26 state budget. Encourage your board members, families, youth, and partners to speak out too. Use the sample message, talking points, and fact sheet below to guide your outreach.
We also encourage you to help elevate youth voices by inviting students to share personal messages with lawmakers. Heartfelt letters from older youth and drawings or short notes from the younger ones can make a powerful impression.
Whether it's a crayon-colored card or a letter, these expressions remind decision-makers that real young people are behind these programs and that their futures are directly impacted by funding decisions.
Invite your legislators and their staff to come visit your program. There’s no better way to showcase the power and value of afterschool than showing people firsthand. You do not need to get the Legislator there—having one of their staff join can be incredibly powerful.