McElhattan Foundation: Out-of-School-Time Learning

Overview

_NOTE: McElhattan Foundation accepts proposals on a rolling basis. If eligible, complete our Request for Information (RFI) Questionnaire (See Letter of Inquiry Deadline above). Foundation staff will review the RFI and contact you. If the request aligns with our priorities, Foundation staff will invite you to submit a proposal. (See Full Proposal Deadline above).
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McElhattan Foundation

The Industrial Scientific Foundation was established in 1994 and for many years served as the charitable arm of Industrial Scientific Corporation, which was founded by K.E. McElhattan and his son, Kent McElhattan. It supported nonprofits at the local and national level. When Industrial Scientific was sold in 2017, the Foundation began operating as the McElhattan Foundation.

Mission & Vision

Bring us bold ideas that advance the goals of our five program areas:

* [End Death on the Job]() 
* Out-of-School-Time Learning
* [Economic Development in Knox & Franklin, PA]()
* [Expanding Educator Diversity]()
* End-of-Life Planning & Care

Out-of-School-Time Learning

Every child in Allegheny County deserves access to high quality out-of-school time learning experiences.

Research shows that quality out-of-school time (OST) learning experiences can be key to helping children and youth thrive, unlocking important 21st century learning skills which are indicators of future success in life.  This is especially true for learning experiences in which young people can follow and deepen their own interests.

By reducing the opportunity gap, OST learning experiences can help all children - but especially those living in poverty - to lead a healthy and successful life. We fund hands-on learning experiences where youth can connect to positive adults, feel safe to try new things, and have the opportunity to hone new skills.

Through our funding, we work to strengthen and expand OST learning in Allegheny County to ensure equitable access to opportunity for all children.

What We Fund

* Initiatives that ensure and expand access to high-quality out-of-school-time learning, including grants to enable providers to maintain operations, grow service capacity, and expand service to meet geographic needs. 
* Initiatives that ensure and expand quality out-of-school-time learning, including grants to ensure providers are qualified and prepared, that the physical learning environment is high quality, and that programs intentionally implement quality learning experiences.
* Initiatives that support and strengthen the out-of-school-time learning field, including grants to coordinate resources to support providers, grow the knowledge base to ensure continuous improvement, and to increase public support for out-of-school-time learning.

We provide flexible, general operating support to help grantees meet their goals. We will also consider project and capacity building requests.

We are particularly interested in funding leaders who exhibit a commitment to program quality and are working towards continual improvement.

Funding

In general, we are most receptive to large requests ($50K+) from organizations we have worked with before. If you are entirely new to us, we'd suggest a smaller initial request; if that grant goes well, you'll be in a much stronger position to make a larger request during a future grant cycle.

Eligibility

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

* Grantees are eligible to receive funding from McElhattan Foundation once every 12 months.

Ineligibility

* We Are Unlikely To Fund
* OST programs that are operated by a school or school district.

* Programs operating outside of Allegheny County.

* Organizations with annual operating budgets of more than $3 million.
* Programs that focus primarily on sports, academic recovery or learning loss, workforce development, mentoring, or college/job readiness.
* Scholarships.
* Singular events such as assemblies, performances, or workshops.
* The McElhattan Foundation does not fund:
* Individuals or families seeking private financial assistance
* Scholarships
* Organizations without 501(c)(3) status, according to the Internal Revenue Service
* which includes organizations operating primarily outside the U.S. and for-profit entities
* Lobbying
* Political campaigns
* Conferences
* Repairing, replacing, or installing safety equipment
* CPR classes, etc.,

* Equipment purchases, unless they are tied to a larger project that fits within our grantmaking strategy
* Medical bills
* Economic and community development projects that do NOT benefit Franklin and/or Knox, PA.

* Proposals claiming to fit into one of our program areas that bear virtually no real connection to them