Out of School Time

501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal entities, and government entities are eligible to apply. Additionally, organizations may work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to submit an application. Applicants must submit formal paperwork confirming the fiscal sponsor relationship.

Yes, an organization may apply to this grant opportunity even if they have current grants at OCF.

Unless your organization has already participated in a Social Emotional Learning Cohort for the Out-of-School time initiative (Cohorts 2022 & 2024), you are eligible to apply.

This grant opportunity is deeply connected and focused on SEL strategies and how they support student success (or similar programming that incorporate elements like teamwork, responsibility, emotion, empathy, initiative, and problem-solving). SEL should be a significant aspect of your programming. Please refer to the RFP for additional information.

Programs may serve students all along the education continuum but must include middle school students.  This is a key transition point and a time when youth are making decisions that will impact their future opportunities. View our research about this here. Please refer to the RFP for additional information.

No, a significant portion of the OST programming must happen during the school year to be eligible.   

A group-based, staff-run program is a structured, regularly scheduled program where trained staff deliver organized activities to a consistent group of youth, rather than operating as an unstructured or drop-in space (drop-in program). 

Yes, your program should clearly demonstrate that you meaningfully serve adolescents who are low‑income, youth of color, and/or youth from under‑resourced rural communities.

We define a rural- serving organization as one that focuses on a community with a population of 35,000 or fewer that is NOT directly adjacent to (or part of a) metropolitan area of 50,000 or more.

We work closely with OSU Extension as well as additional coaches and experts who have worked in the youth development space and have extensive knowledge of using a continuous quality improvement tool. 

Our contracted facilitation team will meet with organizations during the January convening to go over each organization’s assessments and support them to develop their own improvement plans.  Each organization determines and defines what they want to improve based on their own program data. 

• Participation in the learning community is a criterion for renewals.
• Programs are required to participate in-person at our learning community convenings (kick-off training in October & 2-day convening in January), as well as actively participate in their assessments, program improvement activities, and additional ongoing trainings throughout the year.  
• Please refer to the RFP for additional information.

Attendance of two staff members (decision-maker and someone familiar with programming) are expected to attend the convenings. Please refer to the RFP for additional information.

We do not cover the cost of transportation to and from the convenings, but you may utilize your grant dollars. OCF will directly cover food and hotel accommodations (if needed) at all Learning Community Convenings.

Typically, an organization will find someone else to attend the trainings or convenings, however we do understand that emergencies happen and will collaborate with you to problem solve if this arises. 

Each year differs depending on where organizations are located.  We do our best to have a location that is easily accessible to everyone throughout the state. 

At this time, all Learn Community convenings are in-person. There are some trainings throughout the year with the facilitation team and coaches that are held virtually. 

For 2026 programs can request $25,000- $40,000 for this funding opportunity. The award amounts stay the same for all three years of the grant. Please refer to the RFP for additional information.

Each year organizations must complete a renewal application.

You will be asked to upload attachments that should include a program budget that shows the scope of your Out-of-School Time programing and an organizational budget. 

Applications will be accepted from March 16 to April 30, 2026, at 5pm. 

OCF’s Program Officers and a trained advisory committee will review eligible proposals and look for those that best align with this funding opportunity.  After this period, OCF Program Officers will develop final grant recommendations for the consideration of the OCF board.  A funding decision will be made in August 2026. 

Typically, you may only submit one application per organization. If you feel like you have a unique situation, please reach out to us.

Please contact our Grants Administration team at grants@oregoncf.org.