The ASES Program requires grantees to provide a match equal to one-third of the ASES grant received. The purpose of requiring the match is to ensure community support and adequate funding for the program. The federal child nutrition programs can contribute to the required match.
Under current reimbursement rates—that are in effect through June 2008—the snack reimbursement adds up to $122 per child per year. The free supper reimbursement adds up to $444 per child per year. A program could receive up to $566 per child if it serves both suppers and snacks. (These numbers assume that the child attends the after school program 180 days per school year so the total reimbursement would be less if the child is absent from the after school program.)
The child nutrition programs are one source for matching funds, but it is important to diversify funding to ensure program sustainability and improve quality. For ideas on other ways to meet the match, including funding opportunities for nutrition education, see The Finance Project's guide, Making the Match: Finding Funding for After School Education and Safety Programs.