Each year, we receive questions about how the Kingdom East Afterschool Program (KEAP) is funded and what those funds support. We hope this overview helps explain how KEAP is made possible through a combination of state and federal grants, along with local district investment. 

The Kingdom East Afterschool Program (KEAP) is made possible through a combination of state grants, federal grants, and local district investment. Together, these funding sources allow us to provide high-quality afterschool, and summer learning opportunities that support students academically, socially, and physically.

Here's a closer look at how these funds work, and how they directly benefit Kingdom East students.

Summer Programming: State Afterschool Grant

This summer, KEAP received $187,500 through Vermont's State Afterschool Summer Grant Program.

These funds supported nearly every aspect of our summer camp experience, including:

• All Field trips
• All Transportation for field trips
• All swim lessons at Powers Park
• All mountain biking programming
• All bicycle maintenance
• All camp supplies
• All on-campus presenters and enrichment activities

Because of this grant, students had access to meaningful learning experiences that extended well beyond the classroom.

Where Does the State Afterschool Grant Come From?

Many people are surprised to learn that the Vermont Afterschool Grant is funded through Vermont's Education Fund using revenue generated from the state's cannabis sales and use tax. State law dedicates these revenues specifically to expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities, with an emphasis on serving students and communities that have historically had fewer opportunities.

The grant program is administered by the Vermont Agency of Education and supports a mixed delivery system, meaning that eligible public schools, nonprofit organizations, and private providers can all apply for funding to expand high-quality afterschool and summer programming.

The purpose of the program is not simply to fund childcare—it is to increase access to engaging learning experiences that help students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically outside the regular school day.

Additional Summer Support

Kingdom East School District also received nearly $17,000 through the University of Vermont (UVM) Community Schools Grant to cover the remaining cost of swim lessons at Powers Park for all elementary students participating in KEAP's summer program.

While the district receives additional Community Schools funding for other initiatives, this portion was specifically allocated to support summer camp.

Year-Round KEAP Funding

KEAP doesn't just operate during the summer—it provides programming throughout the school year.

For Fiscal Year 2027, KEAP's operating budget includes:

The federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21C) grant helps support academic enrichment, youth development, family engagement, and expanded learning opportunities during non-school hours. Local district funding complements these grants and ensures KEAP can continue providing consistent, high-quality programming for Kingdom East families.

Why Grants Matter

Grant funding allows KEAP to offer experiences that would otherwise be difficult, or impossible, to provide within a traditional operating budget.

Whether it's taking students on educational field trips, teaching children to swim, bringing in local artists and scientists, or introducing mountain biking and outdoor recreation, these grants create opportunities that enrich learning and build lifelong skills.

At the same time, Kingdom East School District's local investment demonstrates its commitment to making expanded learning opportunities a lasting part of students' educational experience.

Thank You

We are grateful to our state and federal partners, as well as Kingdom East School District, for investing in our students. Every grant awarded and every local dollar invested helps create safe, engaging, and enriching opportunities that allow children to learn, explore, and thrive beyond the school day.

Together, these investments make KEAP possible, and make a lasting difference for Kingdom East students and families.