Mayor Bowser Announces More Than $2 Million Investment to Support Summer Programming for DC Youth

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) announced more than $2 million in grant funding for 30 nonprofit organizations to expand access to summer programming for District youth. Funded through the 2026 Summer Strong DC Grant Competition and managed by the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office), the investment will provide critical program services to more than 1,300 young people across the District of Columbia.

"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 Mayor Bowser. "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."

Funded programs will offer structured opportunities throughout the summer, connecting more young people to safe, engaging environments while school is out. Following a competitive, independently reviewed process, 30 organizations were selected for awards based on program quality, a demonstrated track record of success, and alignment with community need:

This year's awards reflect a continued focus on expanding access to high-quality programs for the young people who need them most. Thirteen of the selected organizations are small nonprofits, and 12 are new to Summer Strong DC. 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.

Families can explore these and other available summer programs through the My Out of School Time DC (MOST-DC) portal at most.dc.gov, a one-stop shop where parents can search and register for thousands of out-of-school-time programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade across the District. For more information about out-of-school-time programs, visit learn24.dc.gov.

"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. "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."

Eligible families can also apply for financial support for summer programs through the Learn24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program, administered in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Scholarships help cover the cost of fee-based summer programs. Applications are open now and reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply at thecommunityfoundation.org/learn24-ost.

This investment is part of the Bowser Administration's broader, year-round commitment to expanding access to out-of-school-time opportunities for District youth. In Fiscal Year 2026, the OST Office is investing approximately $27 million in programming across more than 145 organizations, serving more than 18,000 young people citywide.

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. 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. Students transitioning to middle and high school can also take part in Summer Bridge, a week-long program that gives rising 6th and 9th grade students an early opportunity to explore their new campuses, meet teachers and staff, make new friends, and get excited about School Year 2026-2027.

The OST Office grants being announced today are also complemented by the wide range of year-round opportunities the District offers young people through the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). In Fiscal Year 2025 alone, DPR offered more than 1,700 programs for youth ages 3-17, serving more than 21,500 participants. Through initiatives like the Roving Leaders Program, DPR also hosted dozens of special events reaching more than 25,000 young people, while additional investments like Rec for All grants expanded programming to reach youth who may not otherwise access recreation center-based activities.

Last week, DPR announced a full slate of free spring break programming between Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 18. View a full list of events at dprspringbreak.splashthat.com.

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