Lights On Afterschool is on Thursday! We're celebrating the impact of afterschool with fun events in communities around the country. But if you can’t join in person, there’s another way to join in: The Lightbulb Challenge! 💡💡💡 Learn about it here: bit.ly/4yl8vZD

Idaho is one of 47 states getting funds from Meta as part of the $17.1 billion dollar settlement over social media's harms to youth mental health. The question is: What to do with it? Read about where afterschool advocates want the money to go—and why: bit.ly/3VDDpyR

Meta has agreed to pay $17.1 billion to settle claims about the mental health harms of social media use—and the settlement names afterschool programs as a recommended use of the funds. We've compiled resources to help advocates seize this opportunity: bit.ly/3W0fZnm

Yeah! ✨ We’re so excited to have Grammy-winning artist @Usher back for the 3rd year in a row as honorary chair of Lights On Afterschool—a nationwide day of action celebrating the impact of afterschool programs on October 22nd. Learn more and get involved: bit.ly/3W3zF9U

Mark your calendar for 10/15 @ 3 p.m. ET! Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, will be speaking on American Enterprise Institute's webinar on the federal tax scholarship. Register: aei.org/events/the-big-beaut…

"[It] should be used to support the things that keep kids from reaching crisis & from needing social media to feel like they belong somewhere." Afterschool advocates in Georgia speak about how they think their state should spend Meta's settlement money: ajc.com/opinion/2026/09/meta…

Lights On Afterschool (our annual national showcase for afterschool programs) is around the corner! 💡 On 10/22, programs across the country will host events and take action to celebrate afterschool—and it’s not too late to get involved! Learn how: afterschoolalliance.org/loa.…

NEW RESOURCES: It’s an afterschool funding round-up! Check out the latest state funding wins across the country, a database to help you track down federal dollars your program might be eligible for, and tools to keep your organization financially strong: afterschoolalliance.org/afte…

NEW RESOURCES: It’s an afterschool funding round-up! Check out the latest state funding wins across the country, a database to help you track down federal dollars your program might be eligible for, and tools to keep your organization financially strong: afterschoolalliance.org/afte…

Need ideas for how to celebrate Lights On Afterschool? Last year the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center & Twin Rivers Unified School District hosted 600+ people for a fall carnival with arts & crafts, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and more: afterschoolalliance.org/afte…

“[Funding] from social media litigation should be used to strengthen the programs, places, relationships and supports that help young people thrive in real life. That includes afterschool and summer programs.” Read more from advocates in New Hampshire: bit.ly/4hD7IwL

Meta is paying out $17.1 billion to address claims that their platforms harm youth mental health—and afterschool programs were named as a recommended use of the funds. It’s no wonder why: Afterschool programs provide a wide spectrum of support for young people’s mental wellbeing.

Meta's $17.1 billion settlement over social media's harm to youth mental health names afterschool programs as a recommended use of the funds—which means our upcoming Lights On Afterschool celebration have never been more timely. Learn more and get involved:afterschoolalliance.org/afte…

NEW BOOK ALERT: The latest volume of "Current Issues in Out-of-School Time" brings together research, practice and policy, and youth perspectives to explore the role out-of-school time programs play in supporting young people. Use code EME30 for 30% off: bit.ly/4z09Q8X

Meta is paying $17.1 billion to address harm to youth mental health caused by social media—and afterschool and summer programs are named as recommended uses of funds! As a founding member of Fund IRL, we’re urging officials to seize this opportunity: fundirl.org/

It's Worldwide Day of Play! @Nickelodeon and @ACM_Worldwide are partnering with museums around the globe to host events dedicated to learning through play, and getting kids and their families active! Find an event at a museum near you: childrensmuseums.org/dayofpl…

The "E-Rate Program" helps schools and libraries afford telecommunications and internet services. But now the FCC may be shutting it down—a move that would impact the many afterschool programs hosted in the schools and libraries that rely on its funding. afterschoolalliance.org/afte…

We recently held a focus group to better understand young people’s perspectives on the overlap between STEM skills and civic engagement. Their answers might surprise you! bit.ly/4hbPan3

The Department of Education (ED) recently shared substantial proposed changes to how it manages federal education grants. The proposed changes have substantial implications for anyone who receives federal education funding. Learn more: bit.ly/4cScmFO