Abstract

Keys to sustainability are clarifying value and demonstrating feasibility. This effective practice from The After-School Corporation outlines how to write a sustainability plan for after-school programs; however the information is applicable to other programs as well. Yurij Pawluk submitted this effective practice to the Promising Practices in After-School listserv in May 2003.

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Issue

Having a sustainability plan greatly increases the chances of program success.

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Action

According to Yurij Pawluk at The After-School Corporation (TASC), successful elements of a sustainability plan for after-school programs include the following effective practices:

Creating public/private partnerships as an important precursor to sustainability planning for after-school programs.

Partnering with school districts, community organizations and businesses can help a program to pool resources, advocate for funding, and demonstrate credibility to prospective funders.

Once a program is up and running, a sustainability/funding plan should be created.

• At this time, decide on long-term costs for the program, and justify those costs in the plan.
• Because prospective funders look at a program's core competencies when deciding whether to grant funds, it is important to develop core competencies early on, and build a sustainability plan around supporting these strengths.
• In addition, programs should be thinking about building a quality program in the long-term.

Successful sustainability plans should be entrepreneurial.

Look to a variety of funding sources to support the program.

• It is preferable to have core funding from direct tax levy or other dedicated funds rather than from those awarded through a competitive process. If this is not possible, look to other sources of public funding, including federal and state programs and grants.
• Ancillary sources of public funding that may not be earmarked directly for after school programs may also be available. Consider Child Care Development Funds, Title I Supplemental Educational Services (SES), AmeriCorps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) monies. The funding plan should also be diversified and not rely exclusively on public funds for support.
• Private funds are often more flexible in terms of the types of activities that can be funded.
• Obtaining private funds can demonstrate capacity to public officials and serve as a catalyst for additional public funding. (Conversely, some private foundations require their grants be matched by public dollars.)

Successful sustainability plans are characterized by local specificity and should seek local sources of support.

• Because successful after school programs are structured to meet the needs of their students, school, and surrounding community it makes sense to seek out local sources of support for them. These funders will be particularly enthusiastic.
• This includes funding from town, city, and county governments, as well as from community foundations and organizations.

Successful sustainability plans integrate resources by seeking out funding that can supplement existing funds and be used to support activities that can easily fit into the existing program model.

This insures a cohesive after-school program and a seamless and coordinated delivery of services.

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Context

The After-School Corporation (TASC) works to enhance the quality, availability, and sustainability of after-school programs in partnership with dozens of community-based organizations, school districts and government agencies. Together with those partners, TASC has coordinated curriculum development, organized staff training, sponsored the evaluation of hundreds of school-based after-school programs in New York City and State, and helped secure public and private funding for these schools. TASC also conducts advocacy on the local, state and federal levels to provide support for after-school programs.

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Posted On

May 16, 2003

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Writing white papers for sustainability
• Planning for sustainability
• Increasing community awareness for program sustainability

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Related sites

Topic Areas

• Out-of-school time
• Financial management
• Sustainability
• Staff
• Community-based
• Program management

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