Where Afterschool and Summer Programs Stand in the Minds of Voters: Out-of-School Time Monthly Field Convening

February 21, 2025, 12:00 pm ET

Join the February OST Impact Group Monthly Field Convening to hear new findings from bipartisan public opinion research examining voters’ views on afterschool and summer programs.

Speakers from Lake Research Partners and New Bridge Strategy will examine results of their recent poll exploring public support for afterschool and summer programs. The December 2024 poll reached 1,000 registered voters, with an oversample of Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous registered voters. Questions focused on how voters feel about afterschool and summer programs, the level of support for public funding of programs, and the role that voters see programs playing in the lives of children, families, and communities. Based on poll findings, speakers will also offer recommendations for the field and insights into the supports and offerings that resonate more strongly with different audiences.

See information about the speakers below.

Resources

You can request access to the video recording of this event by emailing impactgroups@edfunders.org.

About the Series

Join the EdFunders Out-of-School Time Impact Group for an ongoing conversation with funders, practitioners and other field leaders centered on learning about and with the out-of-school time sector, focusing on essential issues in OST now and in the future. Each video call will dive into a specific content area, challenge, and/or opportunity for the field and feature experts in the sector and philanthropy.

Register once for the ongoing series and join as your schedule allows. Already registered? We’ll send you a reminder of your meeting access beforehand.

Calls are scheduled from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET on the third Friday of each month.

See video and resources from past calls in the event archive.

About the Speakers

Jonathan Voss
Partner
Lake Research Partners

Jonathan Voss joined Lake Research Partners in 2011. He has become an expert in helping clients develop strategy and effectively communicate to move audiences in support of key issues including protecting the environment for future generations, ensuring every child has a quality public education no matter their zip code, and restoring the balance in our economy so that working people can sustain a family no matter what they look like or where they come from. Jonathan’s clients include Ascend at the Aspen Institute, AFT, Afterschool Alliance, America’s Voice, Center for American Progress, Center for Community Change, Choose Clean Water Coalition, Community Service Society of New York, Demos, ecoAmerica, Food Policy Action, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NCPSSM, The Nature Conservancy, NEA, NextGen Climate Action, New America Foundation, The Opportunity Agenda, Potomac Conservancy, SEIU, Sierra Club, UnidosUS, and The Wilderness Society.

Originally from Orange County, New York, Jonathan started working on political campaigns after college in New York City and around the country. He has a master’s degree in public administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and has a bachelor’s degree in politics from NYU. He lives in Maryland with his wife, daughter and son.

Lori Weigel
Principal
New Bridge Strategy

Lori Weigel founded New Bridge Strategy, a woman-owned and operated research firm, in the belief that we can bridge divides on important policy issues.

Weigel has directed research efforts for hundreds of political and public affairs campaigns throughout the country, including assisting with efforts at the presidential level four times. Her roots are in Republican politics, but she frequently works on bipartisan teams on behalf of ballot measure campaigns throughout the country. She is frequently quoted on policy and politics, including in The New York Times, the Colorado Sun, Los Angeles Times, and other major publications.

Her experience polling on policy issues extends to such varied areas as education, energy, land use, health care, lawsuit reform, employee/union relations and crisis management. As a mom, she has gravitated toward work that particularly benefits children – everything from conducting research on behalf of public safety efforts regarding infant formula and air bags, to nutrition, exercise and the outdoors, to education and health care. She has conducted research for trade associations, academic institutions, major corporations, and non-profit organizations in the United States and globally.

Weigel was a partner for over twenty years with Public Opinion Strategies and prior to that was a Vice President for another D.C. polling firm, The Tarrance Group. She graduated cum laude from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a B.S. in International Politics. She lives in Colorado with her blended family that includes four high school and college students and a rescue puppy.