Why Did the Department of Education Just Screw Over The Boys & Girls Club of America?

The Department of Education put a hold on $6 billion in grants for afterschool and summer programs for kids

Our research shows that young men are big fans of afterschool programs. These programs offer them opportunities to play sports, build friendships, stay engaged in school, and just have fun. Unfortunately, the Department of Education’s decision on Monday to withhold over $6 billion in K-12 education grants puts many of these programs in jeopardy.

ED’s decision came just one day before the July 1 deadline, when funds are typically dispersed. ED claims to be reviewing FY25 funding for five particular grants (Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B), which fund a wide range of school programs. Among the programs impacted is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), which receives roughly ~$1.3 billion annually to support 1.4M students from primarily high-poverty and low-performing schools during the summer and off-school hours.

The sudden freeze could disrupt programs already underway, leading to the potential closure of programs this very summer. For example, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America relies on this funding to run their camps and other summer programming for low-income students. Boys and Girls Club President Jim Clark warned that if funding is not restored soon, some programs may have to shut down mid-season, leaving families scrambling for childcare and support.

Cutting afterschool funding is deeply unpopular among young men- both Republicans and Democrats alike.

Many young men grew up enjoying sports, theater, the marching band, clubs, and other afterschool extracurriculars. These activities give boys a chance to delve into their passions and find community, or just get a break from the classroom. Many student athletes have also experienced firsthand the anxiety caused by school funding cuts and the uncertainty this creates as you prepare for your upcoming season.

In YMRP’s May survey, young men supported afterschool programs more than any other policy proposal tested.

Support for “spending more tax dollars to fund additional afterschool programs such as sports and theater in America’s high schools” had a net +47 margin. Young men (ages 18-29) showed a higher margin of support and lower level of uncertainty (19%) than any other policy issue polled. Young Democratic men showed a +59 margin of support. Young Republicans also showed overwhelming support for afterschool funding at +36. This is truly a bipartisan issue which makes the recent budget hold all the more perplexing.

The various benefits of afterschool programs are clear. The Afterschool Alliance recently outlined how these programs improve engagement at school and reduce chronic absenteeism. In fact, research on 21st CCLC programs funded by the Department of Education itself shows that three in five previously chronically absent students improved school-day attendance after they participated. Seven in ten participating students improve their classroom engagement. At a 21st Century Learning Center called Dream Center Academy in Gastonia, NC, 100 percent of students graduated college-career ready in May. In a lower-income Maine district, students are offered theater, chess, robotics, and other activities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Young men may especially benefit from the physical health aspects of these programs. For example, a study of the Bienestar Health Program, a school-based diabetes mellitus prevention initiative targeting low-income Mexican-American children, suggests particular effectiveness in improving boys’ aerobic capacity. Evaluations of Oakland Afterschool Programs have also found greater gains in physical well-being among boys.

21st CCLC offers wide range of service and demand is sky high. Only one in three funding requests is awarded due to limited federal investment and high competition. Academic enrichment in core subject areas is essential to the 21st CCLC’s mission, and additional programming includes physical activities and career-oriented learning. Ninety-four percent of providers offer STEM programming; 86 percent provide life skills training, and 64 percent support leadership development. For many children, the program is also a crucial source of food.

Afterschool funding was already under threat from the new administration. While the FY25 budget maintains previous funding levels, the president’s 2026 budget would eliminate the 21st CCLC program entirely. As part of a $12 billion cut to the Department of Education, 21st CCLC would be rolled into a “simplified funding program” alongside 17 other initiatives serving low-income and under-resourced schools. The burden would be placed on states to disperse funds and provide aftercare for these students, a process that could create chaos and uncertainty. Monday’s announcement accelerates this timeline, forcing schools to shift gears shortly before many head back to the classroom.

Amidst all the policy changes and debates happening, it’s easy for the public to get lost in the details or just tune it out entirely. We’ll continue connecting the dots between research and the real-world implications of these cuts, especially when they may directly impact so many young men.