Mayor Muriel Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn have announced $1.5 million in grants for local nonprofits through the Summer Strong DC Grant Competition. The funding will support 22 organizations offering summer programs for over 1,000 students in areas such as academic enrichment, sports, arts, and field trips as per the DC Government release.
Bowser stated, "Through the Summer Strong DC Grants, we are making critical investments in our young people by giving them access to high-quality programs that foster learning, creativity, and personal growth." Kihn added, "Just as we have made DCPS the fastest improving urban school district in the country through strategic investment in effective programs with a laser-focus on supporting our children, we are investing in out of school time programs with the same diligence," as per the same release.
The selected organizations include Rocketship Public Schools DC, George Washington University, The Salvation Army, Special Olympics District of Columbia Inc., and the Atlas Performing Arts Center, among others. These organizations will use the funding to offer enriching summer experiences for children.
Additionally, MOST-DC, a new online portal, helps parents find summer programs. The OST Office is also distributing $25.1 million throughout the fiscal year, benefiting about 15,000 young people across 125 organizations.
For families with financial needs, the Learn24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program, in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation, offers financial assistance for fee-based programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. More details are available on the program's website.
