Advocacy

Lights on Afterschool

Join Afterschool Alliance and 8,000 programs across the country to celebrate afterschool and summer learning programs on October 23, 2025!

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.

The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do, and poetry—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.

APOST celebrates Lights On Afterschool by awarding mini-grant funds to local OST programs to showcase their work and share the importance of their program.

Lights On Afterschool 2025

Thursday, Oct. 23

Celebrate with us all week long from Oct. 20 - 24!

Applications for Lights On Afterschool 2025 Mini-Grants are now open!

Mini-Grant Requirements: 

  • Event/project must take place within the week of Monday, Oct. 20 – Friday, Oct. 24, 2025

  • Share at least one photo of event/project with APOST that can be shared publicly

Provider Benefits: 

  • Receive $500 to implement a Lights On Afterschool inspired event or project 

  • APOST staff may attend event/participate in project where possible

  • Chance to be spotlighted via News You Can Use newsletter and/or APOST website

Learn more from Afterschool Alliance on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 2pm for the Lights On Afterschool 101 webinar!

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Organization must be located within Allegheny County

  • Organization must qualify as a 501(c)3 nonprofit

  • A maximum of one award will be given per event/project (if organizations will be operating events at separate locations apply for each separately)

2024 APOST Lights On Afterschool

Mini-Grant Recipients

  • Allegheny Youth Development

  • Assemble

  • Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania at Scott Primary

  • Brothers & Sisters Emerging

  • Elizabeth Seton Center

  • Fusion - Center of Life

  • Heritage Out of School Time (HOST)

  • Imagine Further Collective

  • K-5 Little Warriors After School Programs

  • Kidcelerate Learning Hub

  • Knowledge Connection, Moon Twp. Parks & Recreation

  • LAP Youth Arts Institute

  • Lauri Ann West Community Center

  • Maple Unified Student Academy (MUSA)

  • Melting Pot Ministries

  • Open Studio at SLB Radio

  • Pittsburgh Hardball Academy

  • Plant a Seed Children’s Partnership

  • Propel MAGIC

  • Rankin Christian Center

  • Sarah Heinz House

  • South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)

  • The Maker’s Clubhouse

  • We’ll Leave the Light On for You!

  • YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh (North & South East Regions)

  • YWCA Opportunity Pathways Programs

  • Family Resources