Greater Gallatin United Way
945 Technology Boulevard, Suite F
Bozeman, MT 59718
Contact: Danica Jamison, CEO/Executive Director
(406) 597-2194
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTANA AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE LAUNCHED WITH SUPPORT OF THE CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION AND STATE/LOCAL DONORS
BOZEMAN, MT (Oct. 28, 2014) --- On October 6th, the Montana Afterschool Alliance (MTAA) was awarded a $225,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, making Montana the 43rd state to launch a statewide afterschool network. The grant period runs from October 1st, 2014 through September 30th, 2017.
The vision of the Montana Afterschool Alliance is that all Montana youth will have access to enriching out-of-school time opportunities in a safe and healthy environment. With the support of the C.S. Mott Foundation and other donors, the Montana Afterschool Alliance will act as a champion for out-of-school time programs across the state and will focus on improving the 
sustainability, accessibility, and quality of the programs. MTAA has already begun convening key stakeholders to represent programs and entities across the state in the discussions surrounding afterschool, morning, and summer programs.
Based on a national survey of afterschool programs titled America After 3 pm, Montana ranked in the bottom 5 states in terms of program accessibility. The Montana Afterschool Alliance will strive to address the barriers to accessibility to ensure that all Montana youth and families have access to quality out-of-school time programs.
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation requires that MTAA secure$225,000 in matching funds as part of the grant agreement. To date, MTAA has received matching funds from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, First Interstate Bank, and an anonymous donor; however, MTAA is still actively seeking $52,500 in remaining matching funds to be secured by December 31st of this year.
In celebration of Greater Gallatin United Way’s kidsLINK afterschool programs at 28 sites in our local communities, the annual “Lights On! Afterschool” event will take place on Wednesday, October 29th from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm during the kidsLINK Afterschool program at Meadowlark Elementary School. The event will include fun activities led by Gallatin County 4-H highlighting the value of afterschool programs in the lives of children, families, and communities. During the event, a press conference will be held at 4:30pm to announce the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation grant award, the launch of the Montana Afterschool Alliance, and to celebrate our 17th year of kidsLINK Afterschool.
For more information about the Montana Afterschool Alliance and/or to inquire about contributing matching funds, contact Danica Jamison at danica@greatergallatinunitedway.org or (406) 587-2194.
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