One of the greatest challenges facing youth development nonprofits is access to sustainable and multiyear funding, especially for smaller, grassroots, and BIPOC-led programs.
In partnership with King County Best Starts, SOWA works to address this issue by providing funding and quality- and capacity-building supports for expanded learning providers through the Best Starts For Kids Expanded Learning Initiative. This initiative invests in BIPOC-led organizations as well as Place-Based Collaboratives—made up of at least three organizations offering programming in school or housing communities.
When After-School All-Stars (ASAS) Puget Sound opened in Washington in 2016, SOWA helped them understand the local youth development landscape, convene with youth organizations, and step into the advocacy arena in Washington. When SOWA had an open grant process, they applied, and they received their first award in 2022.
As a small nonprofit, ASAS Executive Director Ranna Daud said they found it hard to secure funding. The Best Starts Expanded Learning Initiative provided them sustainable funding for three consecutive years. “Best Starts allowed us to dream big,” said Ranna. They were able to “not only strengthen partnerships, but also strengthen relationships with the community and school districts.”
Co-designed with the youth in their program, ASAS provides free afterschool and summer programs focused on five pillars: academic readiness; career exploration; social and emotional learning and wellness; arts; and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In collaboration with Federal Public Schools—specifically Lakota Middle School and Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC)—they serve about 600 young people per year.
With any partnership comes challenges. To help mitigate challenges among the Place-Based Collaborative grantees, Kintasha Martinez-Jackson was hired as SOWA’s Best Starts partnerships manager, and she has worked with ASAS, Lakota Middle School, and GOKiC. She is available to answer questions and support with grant requirements. Most importantly, she is there to provide support with resources, training opportunities, and capacity building. Kintasha enjoys site visits the most.
I feel like we have our roots, and we are blossoming now. It would not have been possible, I don’t think, without the support of Best Starts and SOWA.
Ranna Daud, Executive Director of After-School All-Stars
At a recent site visit to ASAS, Kintasha met with Ranna and witnessed the youth engaging with the program. The youth were working on photography, skateboarding, and playing card games. There were also youth participating in STEM activities with GOKiC and receiving tutoring through Federal Way Public Schools.
“I have seen this collaborative grow over the past year,” said Kintasha. “It was lovely to see.”
This story was originally posted in our 2023 Annual Report.
Read the full report here.