The purpose of this federal and state competitive grant is to fund several regional or statewide non-profit entities with the ability to subgrant and provide wraparound support to afterschool and out-of-school time* (ASOST) programs. The overall goal of the grant is provide subgrants and support to ASOST programs, which will strengthen the quality of and increase access to learning and enrichment programming that improve academic, college and career readiness and social-emotional outcomes for youth.
*ASOST is inclusive of before-school, after-school, vacation and summer programming hours beyond school time.
For regional or statewide grantees to provide ongoing support, training, technical assistance, coaching, professional development, evaluation, fiscal management and oversight to ASOST subgrantee programs.
For regional or statewide grantees to make subgrant awards to ASOST programs to enhance quality criteria areas outlined in the Guidelines for Quality Enhancements in After-School and Out-of-School Time and increase access to high quality ASOST programs that meet the following criteria:
Massachusetts based non-profit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate substantial experience working with and providing training and technical assistance to ASOST programs as well as demonstrate they are able to meet all federal/state funding requirements and fiscally manage a high volume of subgrants.
Please Note: All applicants other than public school districts, cities or towns must demonstrate the capacity to administer grant funding through:
Fund Code 0527 State 7061-9814 Fund Code 0528 State 7061-9611 Fund Code 0523 Federal CFDA: 84.425 Federal Coronavirus Relief Programs - Federal Grant Programs
Federal grant funds must adhere to:
Approximately $3,200,000 through American Rescue Plan - Elementary & Secondary Education Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) (FC 0523) and $5,000,000 through state line item 7061-9814 (FC 0527) will need to be spent by 09/30/2024 for summer 2024; and $10,300,000 projected from state line item 7061-9611 (FC 0528) for a total of $18.5M, pending appropriation.
In order to ensure geographic and program diversity, the Department anticipates total grant awards of approximately $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 to several entities depending on size and scope of region.
This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
At least 94% of funds must be awarded as subgrants to ASOST programs. Up to 6% of award may be used for overall administration and support provided to awarded ASOST subgrant programs. The recommended range of yearly awards for each subgrant is $15,000-$100,000, depending on size, scope of program and duration (e.g., if a summer component is included).
Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined and as described in a budget, budget narrative, and required program information that is submitted to the Department's Office of Student and Family Support.
Indirect and equipment costs are not allowed.
Allowable uses of funds include but may not be limited to the following: staff costs for administration and oversight of subgrants, staff and/or contractual costs for professional development/training/technical assistance and evaluation activities, supplies/materials (including technology needed), and mileage reimbursement for staff for on-site visits.
Note the following include allowable costs for subgrants: program coordination and programmatic staff costs (including increasing rates/incentives and costs for recruitment efforts as needed to fill staffing gaps), scholarships for economically disadvantaged students/families on voucher wait lists or unable to afford programming, transportation, materials/supplies for program activities, food/snacks for participants, mental/behavioral health services/counselors, social-emotional learning supports, school/community partner specialist, family engagement liaison and enrichment/extracurricular opportunities.
Upon Approval (07/01/2024) – 06/30/2025 (Year 1) and pending budget appropriation, continuation of funding will also be available for 07/01/2025-06/30/2026 (Year 2). Eligibility for funding in year 2 is based on meeting grant requirements and submission of year-end report and continuation grant.
Student and Family Support
Allison Smith
(781) 338-3232
Friday, January 26, 2024*
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.
*All responses must be received by the due date listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.
GEM$ application setup will disallow submission after the due date and time. A COMP grant is considered submitted once the LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved step is completed.
Due to the competitive nature of this grant program, all questions about the Funding Opportunity documents and process will be addressed during the Grant Information Webinar and Q & A session(s). To receive links to webinars and to send questions, please email asost@mass.gov .
Link to additional Department ARP-ESSER information (Note: This link is mostly geared towards school districts but includes other general ARP-ESSER funding information).
Awarded recipients must also do the following as attested to in the assurances document:
The FY24 FC 523-527-528 Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Subgrant (ASOST-S) will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will eventually phase out the use of EdGrants.
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the Superintendent / Chief Executive approves the grant application in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application by the due date listed in the RFP.
The Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved Step allows for the organization lead to review and approve the grant application. Removing the requirement for the Part I Standard Contract Form, this step signifies Superintendent /Chief Executive sign off. Any grant budget changes requiring signature, will re-execute this step when amended signifying the organization lead is approving these changes.
Please Note: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the grant due date for temporary organization access.
Failure to provide DESE with GEMS Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.
The following will be required in GEM$
Last Updated: December 11, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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