For many young people, school is more than a place of learning. It provides daily structure, meals, mentorship, access to health services, and a safe environment. When school lets out for the summer, those supports can vanish, leaving a gap that nonprofits are uniquely positioned to fill.
At Lydia Sierra Consulting, we work with organizations that understand this reality firsthand. Whether leading youth programs, hosting community markets, or offering enrichment and counseling, these nonprofits step up to meet urgent needs that do not pause with the school calendar.
Summer Shouldn’t Mean Sacrifice
Low-income and working families often face increased financial and logistical pressure during the summer. Childcare becomes more expensive and harder to find. Food insecurity spikes without access to school meals. Youth lose access to trusted adult mentors and structured activities.
- Free or low-cost summer programming
- Meal distributions or farmers markets
- Arts, STEM, and leadership activities
- Employment or volunteer opportunities for teens
- Mental health workshops or peer-led groups
These efforts not only fill service gaps but also help young people continue to grow and thrive during the summer months.
The Summer Opportunity Gap
While some youth attend sleep away camps or travel with their families, others are left navigating isolation, boredom, or unsafe environments. This is where community-based organizations make a difference.
The summer “opportunity gap” has long-term consequences: academically, emotionally, and socially. Nonprofits that prioritize cultural relevance, creativity, and consistency can be a bridge to stability. They remind young people that they matter, even when classrooms are closed.
“Summer programming is not just helpful, it’s necessary,” says William, Executive Director of YUCA Arts. “For many of our youth, this is the only time they can safely explore their creativity, be part of something positive, and feel seen. These few months shape how they see themselves, their communities, and their future.”
What Funders and Partners Should Know
Funders often view summer as a “quiet” time. But for many nonprofits, it is among the most active and high-impact periods of the year. Investments in summer initiatives are investments in equity, safety, and intergenerational well-being.
We encourage foundations and government agencies to:
- Offer flexible summer grants
- Fund general operating support
- Recognize and uplift the role of grassroots organizations in youth development
Community Building in Action
When a nonprofit offers a summer youth program, it does more than occupy time. It builds confidence, cultivates skills, and often feeds families, both literally and figuratively. This is especially powerful in communities facing systemic disinvestment, where nonprofit leaders are trusted messengers and connectors.
Closing Thought
Summer may be a break from school, but it is not a break from need or from opportunity. Nonprofits are the ones stepping in to keep momentum going, fill the gaps, and ensure that every child has a chance to grow, lead, and belong.
While it’s too late for us to secure funding for this summer, Lydia Sierra Consulting is here to help you plan for next summer. Together, we can turn summer into a season of transformation.
Schedule a 30-minute Discovery Call to learn more about our tailored services.
Subscribe to receive monthly fund development advice in your inbox!
