We Appreciate Afterschool Professionals!
The North Dakota Afterschool Network is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week on April 25-29 2022 to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school time hours. We are joining the effort because research shows that Afterschool Professionals make a profound difference in the lives of young people. We encourage you to join us in thanking the afterschool professionals in your life.

Here are some ways to show your appreciation:
  • Declare on social media: "Research shows that afterschool professionals make a profound difference in the lives of young people." #heartofafterschool
  • Give a hand-written card from you and/or your child or staff in your life.
  • Send an email telling an afterschool professional why they are appreciated.
  • Make healthy or non-food treats for the staff at your afterschool program.

For more resources around Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, check out www.heartofafterschool.com.
Afterschool Grants & Funding Opportunities
NDDPI Announces Summer Camp Grants
NDDPI is providing grant funding up to $20,000 for new or expanding summer educational camps/learning experiences that provide evidence-based academic enrichment opportunities for students who may have endured learning loss due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are due by 5pm on Friday, April 29, 2022.
ND 21CCLC Grant Applications Open
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is accepting applications for a three-year 21st CCLC grant from school districts, REAs, consortiums, non-profit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations who currently do not have a 21st CCLC grant. The program's purpose is to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with activities designed to complement the students' regular academic program during the school day.

Applications are due by 3pm on May 31, 2022.
Community Arts Access Grants: North Dakota Council on the Arts is accepting applications for Community Arts Access, a grant program providing up to $3,000 in arts programming/activity support to arts and non-arts organizations that offer quality arts activities with a focused effort to serve an underserved community. Application deadline April 15, 2022.

Lead4Change Challenge: A component of the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program, teachers/advisors/adult sponsors can enter the student teams completed projects once they have finished the 12-lesson or 6-lesson track. Teams can win a grant for their charity or school. Deadline May 13, 2022.

Your Voice is Power Grants: Your Voice is Power provides students and teachers an introduction to computer science through a real-world exploration of how music, computer science, and entrepreneurship can be tools to advance racial justice. Amazon Future Engineer is providing students with a chance to create an original remix of various songs by recording artists such as Pharell Williams, Alicia Keys, and Khalid using coding. Applications for Round Two close on June 19, 2022.

CaringforCommunities Grants: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota's CaringforCommunities Grants recognize that developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a lifelong process and our communities play an integral role. Successful grant applications demonstrate strong collaboration and sustainability, incorporate proven, evidence-based approaches, and encourage citizen engagement. No deadline to apply and applications accepted year-round.

Rural Community Grant Fund: Established by AgriBank, AgCountry Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Services of Mandan to support North Dakota communities impacted by mineral development in the Bakken region. Grants up to $50,000 are available to facilitate infrastructure improvement and/or development initiatives encompassing housing projects; health, safety, educational, and environmental programs; medical facilities; and more. Application deadline for this cycle is April 30, 2022.

Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grants: Funding the most promising ideas to change communities and systems. These grants support organizations coming together to solve community challenges, and efforts that help people lead in strong, equitable and connected ways. Grants are funded above $20,000 with no set limit on grant amounts. Applications accepted on ongoing basis.
Million Girls Moonshot Feature
Million Girls Moonshot Focuses on Environmental Education in April

Inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers using tools from the Million Girls Moonshot. This month, the theme is environmental education.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
ConnectEd offers live and recorded lessons for afterschool programs across ND! Each lesson provides content for students in K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grades around STEM and project-based learning, 21st century skills, career exploration and community partners, and social & emotional learning.

Next up:

  • April 12, K-2: Engineering an Animal's Survival with Gateway to Science
  • April 19, K-2: Visual Arts (Guest Artist, ND Council on the Arts)
  • April 26, 3-5 & 6-8: Visual Arts- Using Collage to Create Mountains and Hills
Afterschool Alliance is calling on young artists to help design this year's official Lights On Afterschool poster. There is a chance to win $500 for their out-of-school time program!

Learn more, share with your youth, and support them in submitting an entry form by May 16, 2022.

Lights on Afterschool is October 20, 2022 - the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of youth, families, and communities!
Promoting healthy futures: Afterschool provides the support parents want for children's well-being
April 13 | Virtual
Join Afterschool Alliance for a virtual briefing for media and the field on how afterschool programs are helping children and youth re-engage and heal after two years of pandemic-related closures, isolations, and disruptions of daily life. Register here.

The M in STEM: Math in Everyday Life
April 20 | Virtual
This webinar will focus on ways math is prevalent and relevant in everyday life, including in afterschool spaces. You will learn ways to recognize and embrace authentic math moments and activities to help engage afterschool youth in math. Register here.

BOOST Conference
April 26-29 | Palm Springs
Inspire Youth. Inspire Learning. Inspire Change. Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and in and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change. More information.

IgniteND
June 6-8 | Bismarck State College
Help innovate education by gaining the tools you need to effectively implement the goal of Every Student, Every School, Cyber Educated at IgniteND. Learn from dynamic speakers, engage on 21st century topics including computer science and cybersecurity, and earn professional development credits. Register here.

Trauma Sensitive Schools + Train the Trainer Option
June 6-10 | Virtual
Training provides educators with knowledge related to trauma, its effects on students and learning, strategies for interacting with students exposed to trauma, and strategies for taking care of oneself when interacting with students who have been exposed to trauma. By understanding how trauma impacts students and adopting a trauma-informed approach, educators can play a crucial role in mitigating both the short- and long-term effects of trauma. Register here.

North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations Leadership Conference
June 8-9 | Minot, ND
NDANO is excited to host the 2022 Leadership Conference, consisting of two days of presentations, learning, and networking with fellow nonprofit leaders across ND. Learn more.

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Symposium
July 19-21 | Virtual
The Summer Symposium features successful strategies that state education agencies and their grantees can use to implement and manage all components of a 21CCLC program. Attendees will hear from nationally recognized speakers during plenary sessions and work closely with education experts and peers during interactive workshops. This year's theme is "Strong You, Strong Me, Strong Community." Learn more.

CLASS: K-3 Primer for Teachers and Staff
On Demand | Virtual
This flexible, self-paced, 3-hour course offers bite-sized learning opportunities to support teachers & staff in understanding why interactions matter, the purpose of the CLASS tool and CLASS observations, and provides an introduction to the K-3 CLASS framework. Registrants will receive an online product activation code and will have access to the course for 12 months. More information.

Save the Date! ND Out-of-School Time Conference
August 2-3, 2022 | Fargo
The state's only convening specifically for afterschool educators, join the ND Afterschool Network for 2 days of high-quality learning and connecting. Interested in more information about serving on the 2022 planning committee? Contact the Network to learn how you can receive free registration and inform content and experiences for this year's conference. Registration will open mid-April!
Our Mission
We equip North Dakota afterschool programs with the tools and support to expand program quality, build leadership capacity, and ensure access to afterschool programs for all youth in their community.