Millions invested into structured summer activities and resources for D.C. youth
The District of Columbia is awarding over $2 million in grant funding to 30 nonprofit organizations to provide structured summer activities and resources to an estimated 1,300 minors in the District. The post Millions invested into structured summer activities and resources for D.C. youth appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By AFRO Staff
A total of 30 nonprofit organizations will receive more than $2 million in grant funding to improve and increase opportunity for youths in the District during summer 2026.
Using funds made available through the 2026 Summer Strong DC Grant Competition, an estimated 1,300 minors are expected to receive services and resources in the coming months.
“Through the Summer Strong DC Grants, we’re continuing to expand both the range of opportunities available and the number of young people we can serve,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, in a statement released by the District. “Our focus is making sure families know these opportunities exist and can access them easily, so every young person has something meaningful to be part of during the summer months.”
The Summer Strong DC Grants are managed by the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office). According to the statement released by the D.C. Executive Office of the Mayor, “Funded programs will offer structured opportunities throughout the summer, connecting more young people to safe, engaging environments while school is out.”
The programs were selected after “a competitive, independently reviewed process,” and the decision was “based on program quality, a demonstrated track record of success, and alignment with community need.”
“Thirteen of the selected organizations are small nonprofits, and 12 are new to Summer Strong DC,” read the District’s statement. “The majority of participants will be served in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 to direct more resources to communities where there is the greatest demand for safe, structured summer opportunities.”
District leaders say parents should visit the My Out of School Time DC (MOST-DC) portal at most.dc.gov to learn more about the programming available and register their children. The resources available are meant to serve students in the District in kindergarten through 12th grade.
If finances are a burden, there are scholarships available to help youth participate in the summer offerings for families that meet eligibility requirements.
District leaders say the millions poured into summer programming are just a small portion of the roughly $27 million set aside in Fiscal Year 2026 to help more than 18,000 young people in the area.
“In addition to summer programming provided through OST Office grants, DC Public Schools offers a variety of free learning opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students during summer break,” said the statement. “Career and Technical Education Summer Enrichment programs such as Robotics and Mini Medics are designed specifically for rising 7th–9th graders and allow students to explore high-demand career fields through engaging, hands-on experiences.”
For students who are moving from elementary school to middle, or from middle school to high school, there is also the Summer Bridge program. This offering allows rising 6th and 9th grade students an opportunity to acclimate to their new surroundings before the next school year actually begins. For an entire week, students are able to get to know their teachers, school staff and future classmates.
“We hear the calls for more opportunities for young people in the summer, and we are responding. This year, DC is offering more high-quality programs than ever before,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, in the statement. “What we’re focused on now is making those opportunities easier to find and better aligned with what young people want, whether that’s academic support, enrichment, or hands-on experiences. Through our investments and tools like MOST-DC, we’re helping families navigate thousands of options and connect their children to programs that keep them engaged and supported all summer long.”
The following programs were selected to receive a portion of the $2 million in funds via the 2026 Summer Strong DC Grant Competition:
- American Biotechnology Association, Inc.
- Atlas Performing Arts Center
- College Success Foundation – District of Columbia
- Collaborative Solutions for Communities
- Connected to Culture
- Dance Makers, Inc.
- East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership
- FRESHFARM Markets
- George Washington University
- Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative
- Harmony DC Public Charter School
- Honestly Speaking, Inc.
- The House, Inc.
- The Learning Tree, Inc.
- The Giveland Foundation
- MJT-TV Excel, Inc
- Moveius Contemporary Ballet (Dance Loft on 14)
- OmniQuest Youth Empowerment Initiative, Inc.
- OpenWise Learning
- PLOE Placing Love Over Everything
- Raising A Village Foundation
- Recreation Wish List Committee
- SciTech2U Inc.
- The Salvation Army
- So What Else, Inc.
- Swaliga Foundation
- The Difference Society
- Washington Global Public Charter School
- Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation
- Washington Warriors, Inc.
More information about out-of-school-time programs can be found at learn24.dc.gov. To learn more about scholarships available for summer programming, please visit thecommunityfoundation.org/learn24-ost.
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