Opinion: Making Afterschool & Summer Programs More Affordable for Millions of Families

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It may be winter, but families across the country are already planning and paying for summer camps and programs for their children.

Out-of-school programs, including afterschool and summer learning, are more in demand than ever. According to America After 3PM, the most comprehensive national study of afterschool and summer program participation, parents of nearly 30 million children want their kids to attend an afterschool program. Yet only 7 million students are enrolled. The reason is clear: Nearly 60% of families say they cannot afford afterschool programs, and summer programs, which often offer full-day coverage, can be even further out of reach, particularly for families with low incomes.

While the crisis in care for young children is well-documented, much less attention is paid to what happens once they enter elementary school, even as costs for afterschool and summer programs continue to rise. The result is deeply inequitable access. Families with high incomes spend nine times more on out-of-school activities than those with lower incomes ($6,588, compared with $734 annually). Unsurprisingly, children from higher-income households are much more likely to participate in enrichment opportunities and other activities outside the school day. 

This matters not only for families, but for schools and communities. High-quality out-of-school programs bolster academic learning and social and emotional development for students, and make it easier for parents to participate in the workforce by providing enriching child care. Summer programs, in particular, can play a critical role in preventing learning loss and expanding access to enrichment that many students would otherwise miss. When costs are out of reach, the kids who could benefit the most are the least likely to attend.

At the same time that family demand is growing, the critical funding that helps keep access affordable is increasingly fragile. Federal programs dedicated to afterschool and summer programs, such as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, face uncertainty. This creates unpredictability not only for families, but also for the nonprofit organizations that provide the bulk of affordable programming.

The good news is that this problem is addressable. Making out-of-school programs accessible will require coordinated action involving providers, public funding and philanthropy, but there are clear steps that can be taken now. 

First, nonprofit providers can rethink their revenue strategies to balance access and sustainability. Many nonprofit organizations are experimenting with charging for some aspects of their programs, preserving affordability for families while strengthening their own long-term financial health. For example, DiscoverE, an Overdeck Family Foundation grantee focused on science, technology, engineering and math, introduced modest registration and participation fees for a new high school program that invites students to design innovative cities of the future, while keeping its core middle school model free. At the same time, DiscoverE expanded corporate partnerships to cover student travel and participation costs for its in-person STEM competition. Since making these changes in 2023, the organization has increased total revenue by 26% and earned revenue by 21%, all while increasing participation to 84,000 students in 2025. The lesson isn’t that every nonprofit should raise fees, but that flexible revenue strategies can expand access rather than restrict it.

Second, providers should look toward emerging public funding streams. For example, 28 states and the District of Columbia now offer some form of support for afterschool and summer programs. Education savings accounts, currently available through 23 programs in at least 18 states, present another potential source. While afterschool and summer programs are among the less frequently named eligible ESA expenses, these policies are evolving, and families’ use of them is expanding. Finally, a new federal education tax credit could generate additional resources. Under the law, eligible taxpayers can receive a credit for donations of up to $1,700 to intermediaries known as scholarship-granting organizations, which can, in turn, grant scholarships for educational expenses, including extended day programs. How these dollars ultimately support afterschool and summer programs remains to be seen, but it’s another possible revenue stream in a field where demand consistently outpaces families’ ability to pay.

Third, philanthropy subsidies play a critical role. When cost is the primary barrier, philanthropic dollars can subsidize program slots, fund scholarships or cover costs for materials and educator salaries that would otherwise be passed on to families. The benefits of out-of-school programs make them a natural fit for funders focused on education, youth development or workforce participation.

As another summer registration season approaches, all stakeholders — providers, intermediaries, policymakers and funders — have a role to play in increasing the affordability of out-of-school time programs. This will ensure that any family who wants a high-quality, enriching program for their child is able to find one, and that more students can access out-of-school experiences that bolster a wide range of academic and social skills.  

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