At Future Foundation, we want you to know that grant funding helps keep our programs running and our students, families, and community supported. But sometimes, funding doesn’t arrive when we expect it to.
Grant delays can feel like a storm rolling in, threatening our plans and our peace of mind. This is a time that not only have the storms begun to roll in, but the tempest is raging for us at Future Foundation and other nonprofit afterschool programs serving the under resourced. Unfortunately, we have faced delays that have led to difficult decisions, including having to cut some programs. It’s never easy, because we know how much our students and families count on us. Our dedicated staff is also a part of the community that relies upon us.
Staying Focused on Our Mission
Even during hard times, our mission keeps us moving forward. Our Program Managers agree:
“Part of Future Foundation’s mission statement states that we’re a second family to our students, to our parents, and to our community. So, in order to be a second family, we embrace how everyone needs to be seen, valued, and heard. And that’s our mission: ensuring that everyone feels seen, feels valued, and is heard.”
Our mission doesn’t stop when funding is delayed. Instead, we look for ways to keep serving our students with the resources we have. Sometimes, that means finding new solutions, being creative with our schedules, or leaning on volunteers and community partners to fill the gaps.
Fierce Urgency of Now
“Today, we are facing the urgency of now. Due to a federal funding freeze impacting Georgia Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which has historically supported our afterschool programming, Future Foundation is facing significant gaps in operational and staffing resources starting August 2025,” says Ronnette Smith, CEO of Future Foundation, Inc.
Finding Strength in Connection
One of the best reminders of why we keep going comes from our students. Aliyah, one of our program participants, shared:
“My Program Director inspires me and push me to be my best. Every day, she asks us our colors (If we’re feeling red, green, or yellow), and it makes me feel seen and cared for.”
Moments like these remind us that resilience isn’t just about keeping programs open. It’s about making sure every student knows they matter and feels supported, even when times are tough.
Here’s the Deal
When things get hard, our partners, board members, staff, and supporters step up with encouragement, advice, and sometimes emergency funding. Your support ensures that every child continues to feel seen, valued, and heard. In short, we need your help!
“As we work to continue serving our families, Future Foundation is planning to restructure programming to stay afloat. While these changes help us adapt, they also leave critical gaps in student support, enrichment, and access,” Sara Jean, Chief of Staff and Strategic Operations.
We Need You Now More Than Ever
Due to federal funding delays, Future Foundation must reduce programming and restructure staffing—impacting over 100 students this fall. Your donation today keeps enrichment, mentorship, and meals accessible to the youth who need us most.
$50 = 1 day of programming
$100 = 1 week of meals/snacks
$250 = Covers transportation for 1 site
$500 = Ensures a week of programming
Donate Now – Help Keep Our Kids Connected
Every dollar helps us show up for our youth—even in the hardest times.
What More Can You Do
- Start a recurring monthly gift today
- Share this blog with your network
- Sponsor a youth
- Match employee giving through your workplace
Looking Ahead
Each challenge has made us stronger and better prepared for the future. We’re working on building reserves, diversifying our funding, and keeping open communication with our funders. We hope we can count on you again now as we prepare for back-to-school next month. All of this helps us stay ready for whatever comes next,” says CEO Smith
On Monday, July 14, at a Georgia State Press Conference at the Capitol, Senator RaShaun Kemp spoke about federal freezes to education funding:
“Without this funding, families—especially single parents—will be forced to choose between earning a paycheck and keeping their child safe. Gutting these programs pushes our children into the prison pipeline.”
His office and others are calling upon the Trump Administration and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to release these funds. Stay tuned, and we will keep you informed about how you can help further.
Here’s a peek of our girls engaging in Future Foundation Afterschool programming at McNair Middle School with Dr. Lisa Sistrunk, Great Girls Experience — providing a space to discover and nurture their power as leaders.
