The Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Grant to CACE

$1.9 Million Grant to Improve Afterschool Professional Development and Programs

NEWS RELEASE The Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Foundations’ Center for Afterschool and Community Education 1.9 Million Grant to Improve Afterschool Professional Development and Programs

Moorestown, NJ, January 9, 2006 CACE, the Center for Afterschool and Community Education at Foundations, Inc., has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies to improve the quality of afterschool education through professional development, instructional materials, and innovative program content. CACE is committed to making afterschool a substantial learning environment for low-income children and youth that supports success in school and positive youth development.

CACE has been at the forefront of advancing the concept of afterschool as an additional, unique educational setting calling for skilled staff using afterschool-specific content and approaches, with professional development as key to quality.

The Atlantic Philanthropies are dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Atlantic makes grants through its four programme areas – Ageing, Children & Youth, Population Health, and Reconciliation & Human Rights – and through Founding Chairman grants. Programmes funded by Atlantic operate in Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam.

We are extremely pleased that Atlantic is investing in improving the quality of out-of-school time, said Claudia Weisburd, Ph.D., Executive Director of Foundations’ CACE. And we are honored that Atlantic is supporting CACE’s leadership and innovation in professional development for afterschool education. The Atlantic Philanthropies grant to CACE represents a two year award to: create and offer professional training programs and materials specifically designed for afterschool practice and staff development establish models of effective professional development for afterschool educators contribute to the field of professional development advance professionalization of the field of afterschool education

Specifically, the grant will enable CACE to develop and systematically evaluate a range of professional development content, methods, and materials.The work will be guided by a strategic plan developed for CACE and Foundations by The Bridgespan Group, a business and strategic planning firm serving non-profit organizations. Work by The Bridgespan Group was also supported through a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

For more information about Foundations’ Center for Afterschool and Community Education, please contact cace@foundationsinc.org, 1-888-977-KIDS (5437) or (856) 533-1600. To learn more about The Atlantic Philanthropies, please visit atlanticphilanthropies.org.

Foundations, Inc, a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, builds educational quality for low-income children and youth through its work with schools, school districts, afterschool organizations, municipalities, and communities. Founded in 1992, Foundations provides technical assistance, consulting, professional development, and business services, as well as publications and tools for professional development, assessment, and improvement planning. CACE, the Center for Afterschool & Community Education at Foundations, promotes excellence in afterschool education through professional development, program design, and publications.