Programming

Enrollment – Enroll at least 30 children in year-round programming

Long-Term Program – Provide all participants with year-round support from the time that they join in elementary or middle school through college graduation, or the age of 24

School-Year Sessions – Run required programming at least five days a week throughout the school year, with participating students attending required, program-led, academic and/or squash sessions at least three days a week

School-Year Weekends – Run practices or events on at least half of school-year weekends

School-Year Academics and Squash – Provide local participants with 100+ hours of regularly scheduled, supervised academic support and 100+ hours of regularly scheduled, supervised squash instruction throughout the school year (i.e. 4 hours of squash and 4 hours of academics a week for 30 weeks)

Academics – Track and support students’ school performance

Summers – Ensure that at least 70% of your elementary, middle and high school students participate in 20+ days of summer programming (academic, athletic, professional or other enriching summer experiences not directly run by the program count towards a student’s total)

Community Service/Health/Wellness – Require students to participate in 10+ hours of community service and/or health and wellness programming each year; students must complete a minimum of 5 hours of community service annually

College & Alumni Support – Provide staff and services for participants up to age 24; for every 20 high school graduates (i.e. college students, drop outs, and adults in the workforce) programs should employ .5 staff

Population – Enroll students from schools that have a student body of which at least 70% is eligible for the federal government’s free lunch program (if required, other data may be used to demonstrate economic need)

Attendance and Retention – Record attendance daily and track student attrition (for school-year and summer programs), demonstrating a minimum program attendance and year-to-year retention rate of 80%

Child Safety and Protection – Have a child safety and protection policy that is reviewed annually with staff and that addresses appropriate training and screening of volunteers, including staff and volunteer background checks

Utilization – Maximize enrollment to the extent possible, given staff, court, and transportation limitations

Leadership, Finances, and Administration

Staff – Employ at least two full-time staff members including the Executive Director

Board of Directors – Have a Board of Directors with 100% giving whose contributions account for at least 20% of the program’s operating budget

Development and Communications – Develop a broad-based network of supporters – individual, foundation and corporate – by applying for grants, organizing fundraisers, using social media, and sending electronic and print mailings

Balance Sheet – Have at least 66% of your operating budget in the bank

Year-End Margin – Revenue exceeds expenses at the completion of the fiscal year

Budgets – Possess current FY operating budget, and upcoming FY projected budget no later than 3 months prior to the start of the next FY

Staff Evaluation – Provide at least 1 formal, written review of all full-time staff, including the Executive Director

Staff Retention – Avoid excessive staff turnover and retain key staff from year to year

Professional Development – Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff

Insurance – Own directors and officers, liability and any other appropriate insurance policy

Transportation – Possess a sound transportation plan

Partnerships – Maintain strong partnerships with families, school(s), volunteers, and facility partners

Vision for Growth – Have an articulated vision for program and organizational growth for the next five years