About Us

Background

In response to a McKinsey and Company study that showed that the most cost-efficient way to expand after-school programs in Boston is to expand existing after-school sites, Massachusetts 2020, in conjunction with Boston’s After-School for All Partnership created the School Sites Initiative (SSI).  With a primary goal of significantly expanding enrollment at school-based after-school programs in the city of Boston, SSI also sought to maintain quality, improving learning, and increasing access to sustainable sources of funding. SSI’s mid-term report revealed that programs grew an average of 53% (serving 600 more students) and experienced a 30% per child cost savings.
 

Initiative Design

SSI provided three-year grants to non-profit organizations that operate school-based after-school programs and partner schools that are seeking to expand their enrollment to 75 or by a minimum of 25 students, whichever is greater. Non-profit grantees received $1,500 for each new slot added to their program for the first two years.  In the final year of the grant period, grantees received $1,000 per new slot. Participating schools also received $100 per new slot each of the three years. In addition to expanding their programs while maintaining quality, grantees must also focus on enhancing opportunities for learning and academic enrichment, and work to enhance their program’s sustainability.

Funding and Oversight

The School Sites Initiative was supported by eleven funding partners: the Boston Foundation, the City of Boston, Harvard University, Liberty Mutual, Massachusetts 2020, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, New Profit Inc, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Verizon, and the Yawkey Foundation. The funders served on a working group to oversee the initiative, which was co-chaired and managed by Massachusetts 2020.

Impact

In June 2002, the Partnership awarded $507,000 to 4 programs, which added 118 new slots. In June 2003, the Partnership awarded additional $847,000 to 7 programs, which added 197 new slots. In June 2004, the Partnership awarded an additional $316,800 to 6 programs, adding 198 new slots.  To read a report on the overall impact on programs and enrolled students, click here.

The table below shows the community based organizations and schools which are receiving funding through this initiative.  

Grantees