Increasing Access to Out-of-School Learning Opportunities

Overview

Our Mission

The William Penn Foundation is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all.

Increasing Access to Out-of-School Learning Opportunities

WPF would like to support efforts that increase the number of children, aged 3 to 8, who have access to out-of-school time learning opportunities. Funding will be limited to projects that will positively impact young children, aged 3-8, living in specific neighborhoods in the City of Philadelphia.

An out-of-school time (OST) learning opportunity is defined by WPF as a supervised program that young people regularly attend when school is not in session. Examples of OST programming include academic programs (e.g., tutoring), multi-purpose (e.g., homework help, enrichment), and specialty programs (e.g., art, music, sports, STEM).

This RFP seeks to support the expansion of year-round (school year and summer) OST opportunities for children ages 3 to 8 (pre-K to grade 3). To be eligible for funding, organizations must provide continuous programming during the school year and summer. We are requesting proposals for up to three years of funding. After reviewing proposals, WPF will conduct site visits and gather additional information from a limited number of organizations.

Organizations that propose projects in partnership with other applicants will be considered on their individual merits. However, the Foundation recognizes that making significant progress on the objective is difficult and encourages organizations to include partnerships that leverage complementary strengths, resources, and expertise to reach proposed goals.

Objective

This specific Request for Proposals (RFP) was created to help organizations to advance the following objective:

* Through 2035, enable 550 additional children to participate in out-of-school learning opportunities each year, particularly in underserved areas of the city.

Out-of-school time (OST) learning opportunities provide a range of benefits to young children including gains in academic achievement and social-emotional skills, and exposure to new experiences and opportunities. However, families shared with us that there are barriers to accessing OST programming in Philadelphia, particularly in certain neighborhoods. As a result, our goal is to provide direct support to existing, high-quality out-of-school time programs to increase the number of children who have access to, and participate in, these critical learning opportunities. Proposals should focus on the expansion of direct services, provided by existing out-of-school time (OST) providers, to increase the number of children, ages 3 to 8, who have access to afterschool and summer enrichment opportunities.

All applicants should describe a compelling explanation for how their proposed work will advance the objective above. This RFP seeks project proposals that will advance this objective and make tangible improvements in the quality of life for residents of Philadelphia.

Funding

WPF has $5.5 million available to advance this objective at this time. There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that organizations may request. The grant amount requested should be commensurate with the contribution that the project will make to the overall objective.

At least $1 million of the total amount awarded under this RFP will be reserved for grants to organizations that have budgets under $1 million per year and/or are led by individuals who are members of groups with a history of discrimination or exclusion.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)3 public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary.
* Public charities include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and other types of public-serving groups.
* Government entities are also eligible to apply.

* Organizations are eligible to apply for funding for up to three distinct program sites.
* Proposed projects must occur in select zip codes in Philadelphia and serve Philadelphia children aged 3 to 8.
* All program sites proposed for funding must operate in one of the following zip codes: 19120, 19124, 19132, 19134, 19138, 19139, 19141, 19144.
* Program must provide school year and summer programming.
* During the school year, program must operate for a minimum of 15 hours per week; five days per week.
* During the summer, program must operate for a minimum of eight hours per day, five days per week, for six weeks.
* Organizations are required to build on their existing programs, using WPF funding to expand the number of children ages 3 to 8 their programs can serve.
* WPF funding can be used to support the expansion of OST seats available to children ages 3 to 8 as well as all associated programming costs including staffing, community engagement, materials, professional development, enrichment activities, field trips, and meals/snacks.

Ineligibility

* Programming that takes place during the school day is not eligible for this RFP.
* Programs that operate solely during the school year or summer are not eligible for funding under this RFP.
* WPF funding cannot be used for capital projects including the buying and/or renovating of buildings or program space.