Organizational Supports

Organizational support is a key component of high-quality Out-of-School Time (OST) programming. Just as young people depend on caring adults and youth development professionals, those professionals depend on strong, well-supported organizations.

OST programs and organizations can strengthen their work by improving administrative practices, connecting with local intermediaries, and accessing the right tools and resources.

MASP offers a range of supports to help your organization thrive—from strategic planning guidance to funding resources and best practices. Whether you're already running an OST program or you're a nonprofit looking to start one, this information is for you. 

  • ACT Now
    ACT Now’s toolkit is a step-by-step guide to help you learn, plan, and grow a high-quality afterschool program.

    Afterschool Alliance
    The Afterschool Alliance offers a comprehensive toolkit full of resources to help you start your own afterschool program.

    Licensing
    While OST programs are responsible for implementing licensing on the ground, the OST organization must manage the administrative side—ensuring staff and sites have the support needed to meet licensing requirements with fidelity.

    Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
    Through CACFP, youth can receive meals while attending your program. This website offers the tools and information needed to administer CACFP effectively at the organizational level.

  • Grants.gov 
    A comprehensive database of federally funded grants. Search by keywords like “afterschool,” “youth,” or “education” to find opportunities relevant to your program.

    Candid.org 
    Offers tools to search for grants from both private and public foundations that support OST and education-related work.

    Afterschool Alliance 
    Features a searchable funding database specifically for afterschool and summer programs. You can filter by state, grade level, and program area.

    Annie E. Casey 
    Provides grant funding in areas such as child welfare, community development, economic opportunity, and juvenile justice.

    Wallace Foundation 
    Shares detailed information on their grantmaking process and regularly posts open Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for initiatives that align with their focus areas.

    Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
    Offers a searchable grants database focused on four priority areas: civil society, education, the environment, and the Flint, Michigan region. 

  • 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)
    This is a federal funding source for OST programs, administered by each state. In Michigan, funds are distributed through the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

    Section 32n
    A state funding source dedicated to supporting OST programs across Michigan. Administered by MiLEAP, this funding helps expand access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities.

    Michigan Department of Education (MDE)
    MDE provides a grants repository featuring all available education-related funding opportunities, including those for OST providers.

  • Council of Michigan Foundations
    A statewide network that connects nonprofits to philanthropic partners and grant opportunities through regional and statewide initiatives.

  • GrantStation 
    A membership-based platform offering searchable funding databases, strategic planning resources, and grant writing tutorials tailored to nonprofits and education programs.

    The Grantmanship Center
    Provides in-depth grant writing training (both in-person and online) and features a free “Funding Sources by State” directory to help identify potential funders in your area.

    MI Funding Hub
    A free, Michigan-specific platform designed to help communities track public funding opportunities and access tools to improve grant readiness and application success.

  • Michigan Nonprofit Association
    Supports nonprofit organizations through capacity-building services, guidance on starting a nonprofit, and a wide range of tools and resources to strengthen operations and impact.

    National Afterschool Association-Guide to Equitable Hiring and Staff Development Practices 
    This guide offers best practices for equitable hiring, onboarding, and staff development within OST programs — designed to help organizations build inclusive, supportive, and high-performing teams.