Promising Youth Center for Excellence Leaders Empower Afterschool Professionals at National Conference
On March 11, 2025, David Fowler Jr., Director of the Promising Youth Center for Excellence, and Dr. Herman E. Walston, Professor of Child Development and Family Relations, delivered a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop at the 2025 National Afterschool Association Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Titled, "Just Keep Swimming: Finding Funds for Program Sustainability," their session tackled one of the most pressing challenges in youth development—securing sustainable funding in an increasingly competitive landscape. With afterschool programs playing a vital role in communities nationwide, Mr. Fowler and Dr. Walston provided invaluable strategies to help organizations identify, approach, and secure diverse funding sources.
“In the afterschool field, people are always talking about what they need, what they’re trying to get, and what they can afford. Applying for funding with the state or corporate sponsors allows for more efficient programming, and the kids will be able to experience new opportunities,” said Mr. Fowler.
The workshop equipped attendees with a deeper understanding of the funding landscape, covering grants, corporate sponsorships, and innovative crowdfunding approaches. Participants also gained insight into grant compliance, ensuring that funding is not only obtained but managed with transparency and accountability. Additionally, the presenters shared research-driven techniques for identifying potential funders and crafting compelling proposals that effectively convey a program’s impact.
“With limited funding and changes that are taking place, programs now are in a crucial need to find external funding support to expand children and youth programs. The training we provided was very important to the attendees in helping them to secure and know the places where they can obtain funding support to augment the programming for children and youth. The attendees were very interested in receiving that kind of information,” said Dr. Walston.
With approximately 90 participants, the session left attendees empowered with actionable tools and knowledge to sustain and expand their programs. Thanks to the expertise of Mr. Fowler and Dr. Walston, afterschool professionals are now better positioned to secure essential funding and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth.