Fund overview

School’s Out Washington (SOWA) is partnering with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to administer a second round of funding through the Summer Program Fund—a statewide opportunity for summer enrichment programs, serving young people ages 4-21 in Washington. Approximately $4.5M will be invested in summer programs through contracts ranging from $10,000 – $50,000 for Summer 2022.

The primary goal of this funding is to expand opportunities for young people furthest from educational justice to engage in programs in Summer 2022. OSPI and SOWA are conducting an equitable and accessible process that will enable diverse organizations to deliver high-quality summer programs and expand access in underserved communities. Equitable representation among priority populations statewide, equitable geographic distribution, the number of young people engaged, and the number of contact hours—will be criteria in SOWA’s review. Among competitive applications that meet the review criteria, small organizations will receive added consideration in SOWA’s final funding recommendations to OSPI.

To be eligible, programs must:

• Provide summer programming to children and/or youth (ages 4-21)
• Prioritize social connections among young people
• Engage young people in physical and outdoor activities
• Be in-person or mostly in-person (some hybrid components or virtual participation are allowed)
• Offer summer programs over multiple days and/or multiple weeks

Nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs), including religious organizations, will be prioritized for 2022 Summer Program Funding.  Small businesses and public agencies are eligible to apply. Parks departments and school districts are not eligible for these funds. 

Full details on this funding opportunity and the RFP can be viewed here: https://schoolsoutwashington.org/grant-initiatives/summer-program-fund/