Network launches mini-grants program

Mini-grants funded through the generosity of Idaho’s communities will be awarded across Idaho in January. The new program offered by the Idaho Afterschool Network, will present small grants to selected out-of-school programs to support educational activities and frontline programming.

Recipients of the mini-grants can utilize the money for anything that will directly benefit the students in the afterschool program. Funds can be used for healthy snacks, field trips expenses, materials for experiments, technology, scholarships, STEM programming, computers, art equipment and other program needs.

“We’ve gathered donations from individual donors through the Idaho Gives and $3 For After 3 Fundraising Campaigns and we aren’t finished,” said Marie Hattaway, director of the Idaho Afterschool Network. “We will continue to seek donations and distribute them directly to afterschool programs that allow students the opportunity to develop new talents and spark fresh areas of interest.”

Research on out-of-school time shows academic performance and school attendance improves when students participate in quality programs. Additionally, participants adapt better socially and are more likely to graduate from high school and go-on to higher learning.

Grant recipients will be announced in January.

Information: idahoafterschool.org