The Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) 2024-25 Afterschool Grant aims to support programs that provide constructive afterschool services for children and youth aged 5-18 in Portland, Oregon. The available funding for this grant ranges from $10 million to $11.9 million, covering a 36-month period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Grants must be between $300,000 and $2.5 million, with the requested amount not exceeding 30% of the organization’s annual revenue in the last closed fiscal year. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local education agencies, community colleges, universities, or consortia with an identified lead entity. Organizations must have annual revenues of at least $750,000.

Programs seeking funding should address at least one of the PCL's priority areas, which include providing youth activities such as arts, sports, or STEM education; offering academic support through tutoring; building career readiness skills; supporting social and emotional development; and accommodating youth with disabilities. Programs with features such as cultural identity support, integrated experiences for youth with disabilities, and inclusivity for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth may score higher in the evaluation process. Applications should focus on services during afterschool hours throughout the academic year but may also include additional programming during other times.

The application process involves several stages, with a mandatory WebGrants registration deadline on October 21, 2024, and the final application submission deadline on November 4, 2024. Applicants must submit a narrative, organizational budgets, and financial statements. Those without an annual audit must plan for an audit, with PCL providing up to $15,000 to cover a portion of the cost. Pre-application information sessions will be held in September 2024 to assist potential applicants.

Grant applications will be reviewed and scored by volunteer panels, focusing on criteria such as program design, organizational impact, budget justification, and alignment with PCL’s equity goals. The process includes public funding meetings and recommendations from the Community Council before the final decision by the Allocation Committee, expected by May 2025. The funding will be subject to final approval by the Portland City Council.

Selected programs must comply with city regulations, including equal employment practices and insurance requirements. They are also expected to report on progress, including evaluation of outcomes and ongoing community engagement, to ensure services effectively meet the needs of Portland’s youth.