The New York Life Foundation, in partnership with the Afterschool Alliance, has announced grants totaling $1.5 million in support of out-of-school time (OST) programs that help underserved middle school students transition to ninth grade.

Awarded through the foundation's Aim High initiative, now in its fifth year, the grants will support thirty-six youth development organizations offering afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs in eighteen states and the District of Columbia. Taking into account the impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on OST programs, the foundation awarded twenty grants of $15,000 — twice as many as in previous years — with a focus on efforts to advance racial and social justice. Recipients include the Boston Debate League, East Cleveland Neighborhood Center, and Los Angeles Music and Art School.

Eight organizations were awarded two-year, $50,000 grants, including After-School All-Stars Tampa Bay and Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, while another eight groups will receive two-year, $100,000 grants, including Chicago Youth Programs and the Dance Institute of Washington.

"Ongoing incidents of racial injustice have highlighted persistent inequities in our society," said Marlyn Torres, a senior program officer at the foundation. "In an effort to support young people and to build on the foundation's history of supporting organizations that address racial injustice, this year's capacity-building Aim High grant focuses on funding out-of-school time programs that are at the forefront of this work."

(Photo credit: After-School All-Stars Tampa Bay)