2023 Expanded Learning County Program

Funding Opportunity

San Diego Foundation (SDF) is proud to announce $2 million in total funding for the Expanded Learning County Program.

We are seeking proposals from community-based organizations delivering high-quality summer learning programs to San Diego County students over the course of summer 2023 and summer 2024, with a focus on students who are furthest from opportunity in North, East and South County. We anticipate awarding 12 to 15 grants of approximately $100,000 to $175,000 for the two-year period.

This funding opportunity will also entertain proposals from organizations that may not be delivering direct summer learning or expanded learning programming, but organize around and advocate for these investments.

Grant Guidelines

The application deadline has passed.

Improving Learning Outcomes for Students Furthest from Opportunity

High-quality expanded learning programs have strong connections to core day instruction and provide enriching opportunities for students furthest from opportunity. Post-COVID, summer learning programs are more critical than ever to help students accelerate learning, and address the isolation and trauma experienced during the height of the pandemic.

New data reveals greater learning loss for students compared to pre-pandemic levels than originally estimated. Decreases were the greatest amongst students traditionally furthest from opportunity, exasperating already existing learning gaps between White students and students of color.

Students hit hardest by COVID-19 were already the student groups facing the greatest barriers and the worst outcomes, including students who qualify for free and reduced-price meal plans, students with disabilities, and English learners.

Presently, with extraordinary available public funding, districts, schools and community-based partners face a unique opportunity to reimagine collaboration toward unique and impactful summer learning programming.

School districts and expanded learning providers can move collectively toward coherence by establishing a shared vision and set of priorities that will:

Benefit the students they share
Advance each partner organization’s mission
Recognize the value of the knowledge, resources and perspectives each member brings to partnerships

This funding opportunity is structured to, where possible, encourage and support collaboration and coherence between the classroom and community-based educators that produce exceptional expanded learning opportunities for students furthest from opportunity.

Grant Guidelines

Resources for Applicants

The following resources may help your organization plan the most compelling summer learning program and proposal submission.

Expanded Learning County Grant Program 2023 Frequently Asked Questions
Grantseekers Forum – Video Recording and Presentation Slides
Guidance on research and evidence-based design for compelling and effective summer learning programs:

See Grant Guidelines for eligibility requirements, award criteria, an application preview and more.

Grant Guidelines

How to Apply

The application deadline has passed.

If you have any questions, please contact us at expandedlearning@sdfoundation.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

: In the Grant Guidelines it states under the section B. Target Student Population, “Programs with a focus on grades 3 to 8”. This requirement has been modified. SDF encourages submissions for programs serving any grade level including high school programs.
: San Diego Foundation is seeking proposals from community-based organizations delivering high-quality summer learning programs to San Diego County students over the course of summer 2023 and summer 2024 with a focus on students who are furthest from opportunity in North, East and South County. This funding opportunity will also entertain proposals from organizations that may not be delivering direct summer learning or expanded learning programming but organize around and advocate for these investments.
: A total of $2 million in funding is available for the Expanded Learning County Program.
: We anticipate awarding 12 to 15 grants of approximately $100,000 to $175,000 for the two-year period. The grants will be paid in one installment each year.
: The application deadline has passed.

If you have any questions, please contact us at expandedlearning@sdfoundation.org.
: The application deadline was 11:59 p.m. PST on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
: Yes, nonprofit organizations can partner with other organizations to propose programs for funding. There can only be one lead applicant for any collaboration. The organization that receives the funds and signs the grant agreement with San Diego Foundation is the lead applicant and all correspondence related to the grant will be conducted with the lead applicant. The lead applicant is then responsible for correspondence and distribution of grant funds to its partner organizations. An organization can only apply as the lead applicant once but can be a partner/collaborator on more than one application.

Eligibility

: Applicants will meet the following criteria: Be a nonprofit community organization with 501(c)(3) public charity status in good standing, located in San Diego County [OR] a post-secondary institution located in San Diego County [OR] Questions? Contact: Expandedlearning@sdfoundation.org Last updated: December 6, 2022. Page 2 municipality in San Diego County [OR] 501(c)(3) organizations that support school activities. A 501(c)(3) public charity may serve as a fiscal sponsor for another applicant to administer the grant and provide regular financial reporting to San Diego Foundation so long as the applicant is located in San Diego County.
: Students from any school who are furthest from opportunity in schools and districts in North, East and South County. Priority will be given to organizations that support students outside of San Diego Unified’s footprint.
: Yes, charters as 501(c)(3) are eligible to apply but will need to describe state funding received or potential to supplement the program and explain the need of this funding.
: Organizations located within SDUSD territory but serve north, east, and south county students are eligible to apply. Organizations must explain how they will recruit, transport and serve the intended student population.
: No. Organizations that have not previously applied, so long as they meet the eligibility requirements, are encouraged to apply.
: The organization’s funding request relative to organizational budget is considered in the review process and can affect the determination of an award. We will assess whether the organization has the existing capacity to carry out the proposed program and a proven track record of executing a program at the scale proposed.
: Yes, advocacy efforts should be centered on North, East and South counties. Parent engagement and community advocacy will be strongly favored if they focus on North, East and South Counties. Organizations advocating outside these areas are eligible to apply but may not be prioritized.

Program Design

: This funding opportunity is structured to, where possible, encourage and support collaboration and coherence between the classroom and community-based educators that produce exceptional expanded learning opportunities for students furthest from opportunity.
: If your organization intends to apply for funding from both programs, should Level Up SD proceed, please know that we will consider any other SDF expanded learning awards in the review process, and it is unlikely, although not impossible for your organization to be funded through both programs.
: A wide array of program focus areas or design will be considered. The program design is at the discretion of the applicant however, programs supporting learning acceleration in math will be prioritized in addition to the following program areas:

Academic tutoring (e.g., literacy, math, etc.)

Outdoor nature experiences

Performing arts and musical theater programs

Reading and writing experiences

Skills and career exploration

Sports and fitness programs

STEM- (science, technology, engineering and math) and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM)- related experiences

Visual and media arts programs
: A full day is a minimum of six (6) hours and those programs with an academic component will be favored.
: Yes, that is correct.
: Yes, it is up to the organizations to select program design.
: It is highly recommended to have your partners in place and the details of your partnership clearly defined and articulated in your proposal so that reviewers can appropriately assess and score your program.
: Math and reading programs will be prioritized and favored but STEAM programs are eligible to apply.
: No. CBO partnerships with schools/districts located in North, South, and East counties will be prioritized and favored in the review process.
: Funding is intended to support summer programming. Some funds may be used to offset your academic year activities but summer programs in 2023 and 2024 are prioritized.
: No. This program feature is at the discretion of your organization. While it is not required to serve the same students, in certain instances, it could represent a strength to your program design.

Grant Application

: Submit one application when multiple organizations are partnering to propose a program. There should be one lead applicant who will receive and sign the grant agreement with San Diego Foundation, they will also receive funding and handle communication across partner organizations and the reporting at the end of the grant period.
: Yes, organizations will have to register and wait for their profile to be enabled. SDF staff will monitor the portal every day and aim to approve applicants within 2 business days.
: Yes.

Budget and Financials

: Yes, some expenses related to planning are eligible but funding most be mostly directed to program delivery in summer 2023 and 2024.
: No, there are no minimum or maximums on the indirect rate (administrative/general operating cost). We encourage applicants to submit a budget that reflects reasonable costs that allows the organization to deliver the program effectively while achieving an optimal cost-per-student ratio.
: Yes. You will find the required budget template embedded in the application. Only this template may be used.
: Note additional funding sources that are secured or possible. Note in particular any funding this grant may help you secure, in particular contributions from your school and district partner. Note in your budget narrative if leveraged funding is public, private or in-kind.
: If you are submitting an application for an organization that is fiscally sponsored by another organization, submit your organization’s (the sponsored organization) operational and program budget and audited/unaudited financials. If the sponsored organization does not have audited/unaudited financial statements, submit the audited/unaudited statements of the fiscal sponsor.
: Submit a full budget that reflects that total cost of running your program. No line items are strictly prohibited but SDF will review the budget and look for a balanced, thorough, and reasonable budget. At the time of awarding your organization may receive partial funding.
: When you submit your application, you will not need to submit a 990. However, SDF does review publicly available financial information, most often available through your GuideStar profile. If questions arise from that review of your publicly available GuideStar profile, an SDF member will reach out and may request your most recent 990 or audited financials.

Awarding and Reporting

: SDF utilizes internal and external reviewers with experience in curriculum and instructional design, youth development, nonprofit program design and evaluation and equity-oriented program design and delivery.
: Unused funds must be returned to San Diego Foundation unless otherwise noted in your grant agreement. If your organization anticipates unused funds, communicate this as soon as possible to SDF so that we may identify a way to ensure funds are used to serve students over the summers.
: A midterm narrative report discussing progress at the conclusion of your summer 2023 program will be due no later than Oct. 13, 2023. A final narrative describing the impact of your strategy and expenditure report will be due Oct. 4, 2024. All awarded funds must be expended by Aug. 31, 2024.

2023 Expanded Learning County Program

Funding Opportunity

Improving Learning Outcomes for Students Furthest from Opportunity

Resources for Applicants

How to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Eligibility

Program Design

Grant Application

Budget and Financials

Awarding and Reporting

Engaging Your Board in Fund Development

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