OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME FUNDER NETWORK (OST)

Out-of-school time (OST) programs play an increasingly vital role in improving educational equity for all children. Research shows that high-quality programs can narrow achievement gaps and provide the critical developmental supports young people need to become successful adults. Yet according to a recent Afterschool Alliance study, only 11 percent of all U.S. children in grades K-12 are enrolled in afterschool programs. Leading grantmakers in the field are working in partnership with government, non-profit organizations and the private sector to address the complex and difficult challenges to scaling up high-quality OST programs nationwide, including: building public awareness of the value of high quality opportunities “beyond the classroom,” securing sustainable financing and sound public policy; developing a skilled and stable workforce; increasing participation of low-income children; and measuring the positive impact of program participation.

      PURPOSE
The GFE OST Funder Network builds knowledge, shares effective practices, and forges collaboration within the OST grantmaking community. Acknowledging there are many different terms in use by the field, we are using the phrase “out-of-school time” inclusively to mean programs that take place before and after school time, during the evenings, weekends and summers; those that take place in school buildings or community settings; and those run by schools or community organizations, serving children and youth ages 5-early adulthood.

      HISTORY
The OST Funder Network emerged out of a series of meetings convened by GFE to discuss network potential and direction over 2007-2008. Responding to the strong desire of grantmakers engaged in those meetings, the popularity of the OST Track at the 2008 GFE Annual Conference, and clear findings from the GFE 2008 OST Funders Survey, GFE created the network in 2009. The network’s recent programs include:
• August 2011 web seminar | Summer Counts: How Programs Can Boost Children's Learning 
• May 2011 web seminar | What We’re Learning about What Kids Are Learning: Research & Evaluation in Out-of-School Time
• July 2009 web seminar | Federal Recovery Resources and Out-of-School Time: What Grantmakers Should Know 
• May 2009 web seminar | Science After School: Strategic Investments that Improve Quality, Build Scale and Ensure Equity
• April 2009 web seminar | Harnessing the Potential of an Out-of-School Time Network (read the full report, or the executive summary)
• November 2008 web seminar | Management Capacity in OST Youth-Serving Organizations: Why it Matters, Where it is Lacking, and What Funders Can Do (read the related Wallace Foundation report)

      PARTICIPANTS
Network activities are of unique interest to education grantmakers involved in the out-of-school time field. GFE members are encouraged to participate. Participants receive network updates, a periodic newsletter outlining activities and opportunities in the OST field, and the opportunity to choose topics and lead web seminars, meetings and other events.

      CONTACT INFO
Kathleen Traphagen, Coordinator
ostnetwork@edfunders.org
413-687-1710

The OST Network Steering Committee includes:

Dale Anglin,Victoria Foundation
An-Me Chung, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Gwynn Hughes, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Arron Jiron, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Wayne Jones, The Heinz Endowments
Ron Ottinger, Noyce Foundation
Dara Rose, The Wallace Foundation
Jane Sundius, Open Society Institute
Mary Walachy, The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation