The Dolphin Trust has awarded $200,000 in grant funding to nine nonprofits in the Boston area.

Grants support programs that engage youth, primarily middle school children ages 11-14, in quality, hands-on activities that foster learning and academic achievement.  The grants range from $10,000 to $25,000.

    Girls Incorporated of Lynn
    MathPower
    New England Wildlife Center
    RAW Art Works, Inc.
    Save the Harbor Save the Bay
    Science Club for Girls, Inc.
    The Sportsmen’s Tennis Club, Inc.
    Strong Women, Strong Girls
    Urban Ecology Institute, Inc.

Six of the organizations center their programming on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning. Many well-paying jobs in Massachusetts are STEM-related, and their numbers are growing.

Preparing children, especially those negatively affected by poverty, early for these jobs can open doors of opportunity and help them have lifelong well-being and financial stability. Three organizations use the arts, sports or environmental education as a lever to improve students’ learning.

Lead program staff for the Dolphin Trust, Prentice Zinn, acknowledged the importance of out-of-school time programs like these grantees in keeping children motivated, connected with positive adult role models and academically challenged.

“The bar for out-of-school-time programs is higher than it was 20 years ago, even five years ago. Good, quality programs are intentional about not just keeping kids out of trouble, but preparing them for life-long success.

The Dolphin Trust grantees are all high quality programs that have clear, defined tools for measuring success for both their students and their organization.”