California AfterSchool Network

What California AfterSchool Network does

The California AfterSchool Network (CAN) is a Sacramento, California-based nonprofit organization that serves as the statewide backbone and convening body for California's Expanded Learning ecosystem, which encompasses afterschool and summer learning programs serving more than 4,500 programs and over 900,000 children and youth annually. CAN's core activities include hosting statewide convenings (notably the annual Site Coordinator Symposium and the CA Expanded Learning Statewide Convenings), publishing the Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California and Continuous Quality Improvement resources, running the Fireside Chat series with state education leaders, and operating multi-channel professional development programming including webinars, newsletters, and workforce-focused events.

The organization is a Steering Member of the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3), formed in 2009, and partners directly with the California Department of Education's Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) on the System of Support for Expanded Learning, policy advocacy, and budget initiatives. CAN does not operate a unified software product or technology platform; its offerings are programmatic services—trainings, events, publications, funding information, and policy advocacy—delivered through convenings, digital content (website, YouTube, segmented newsletters), and direct engagement with school districts, county offices of education, and site coordinators.

CAN is funded through grants and public funding streams tied to California's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), with the state budget totaling $4.7B in ongoing ELO-P funding (including a proposed $62.4M increase for FY 2026-27). The organization has led successful policy campaigns, including the Save After School initiative that secured an additional $50 million in state funding in 2017 and again in 2019. With 18 employees and Executive Director Jeff Davis, CAN operates with a lean team focused on ecosystem coordination rather than direct service delivery, providing its resources and convenings at no cost to Expanded Learning programs across California.

Name

California AfterSchool Network

Legal name

California AfterSchool Network

Website

https://afterschoolnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The California AfterSchool Network is a Sacramento-based nonprofit backbone organization that convenes, trains, and advocates for California's Expanded Learning ecosystem, serving more than 4,500 afterschool and summer programs reaching over 900,000 children and youth statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Advocacy / Out-of-School Time Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM)

Keywords

• Expanded learning programs
• Afterschool professional development
• Youth policy advocacy
• Out-of-school time convening
• Education workforce training

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant funding and public funding: As a nonprofit network organization, the California AfterSchool Network operates through grant funding and public funding streams. The organization's focus on policy advocacy suggests government funding relationships, particularly with the California Department of Education and state budget allocations for Expanded Learning programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The California AfterSchool Network is a nonprofit backbone organization that convenes, trains, and advocates on behalf of California's Expanded Learning (afterschool and summer) programs. It delivers statewide convenings, professional development events, publications, newsletters, funding information, and policy advocacy at no cost to its stakeholders, supporting more than 4,500 programs serving over 900,000 children and youth annually.

Product overview

The California AfterSchool Network (CAN) is a resource and advocacy organization, not a product/software company. It does not offer a unified platform or software product with distinct modules. Instead, CAN provides programmatic services and resources including trainings, events, publications, newsletters, funding information, and policy advocacy focused on expanding quality out-of-school time programs in California. The organization connects stakeholders through convenings like the Site Coordinator Symposium, Fireside Chats, and CA Expanded Learning Statewide (EXL) Convenings, and supports areas including program quality, workforce development, health and wellness, and STEAM learning integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Site Coordinator Symposium Annual statewide professional development event for site coordinators, featuring workshops, networking, and training to support Expanded Learning program staff. Aimed at site coordinators and program directors across California's 4,500+ Expanded Learning programs.
• CA EXL Statewide Convenings Statewide convenings and office hours hosted by CAN for the California Expanded Learning (EXL) community, including Summer 2026 EXL Office Hours and ongoing engagement opportunities. Designed for Expanded Learning practitioners across California.
• Fireside Chat Series with State Education Leaders Recurring video series featuring 69+ episodes of conversations with state education leaders, including EXLD leadership, disseminated via CAN's YouTube channel. Targeted at Expanded Learning practitioners seeking direct access to policy direction.
• Policy Advocacy and Coalition Services (CA3 Steering) Statewide policy advocacy and legislative engagement for Expanded Learning programs, delivered through CAN's Steering Member role in the CA3 coalition. Has produced measurable funding outcomes including $50M secured in 2017, another $50M in 2019, and support for $4.7B in ongoing ELO-P funding. Aimed at policymakers, funders, and Expanded Learning programs.
• Quality Standards for Expanded Learning in California Foundational publication providing program quality standards and a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process for Expanded Learning programs in California. Distributed to afterschool and summer learning programs statewide.
• Expanded Learning Academy Professional development training program (Expanded Learning Academy) for Expanded Learning practitioners, with the Fall 2026 cohort accepting registrations. Designed for site coordinators, program directors, and Expanded Learning professionals across California.
• CAN Newsletters (CAN Newsletter, Health & Wellness Newsletter, Policy Newsletter) Subscription-based email newsletters delivering updates on events, resources, policy developments, and program quality topics to Expanded Learning professionals across California.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 4,500 programs serving over 900,000 children and youth annually across California
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• California VolunteerssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2019California Volunteers is a state agency that engages citizens in service and volunteerism. The partnership supports volunteer coordination and service-learning initiatives within Expanded Learning programs across California.
• ASAPconnectsupportingTechnology or Integration · 14 January 2019ASAPconnect provides technology and connectivity solutions that support Expanded Learning program operations and data management.
• California Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2018The California Department of Education (CDE) is the primary government partner. The Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) of CDE works closely with CAN on statewide Expanded Learning initiatives, policy development, and budget advocacy. CAN participates in fireside chats with EXLD leadership and supports the System of Support for Expanded Learning.
• California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2018CA3 is the statewide voice for expanded learning (afterschool and summer) programs. The California AfterSchool Network is a proud Steering Member of CA3. CA3 promotes legislative and administrative policies that enhance quality and accessibility of publicly funded expanded learning programs in California's most underserved communities.
• CalSAC (California School-Age Consortium)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalSAC is a professional association for school-age care professionals. Partnership supports workforce development and professional standards for Expanded Learning staff.
• AmeriCorpssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps partnership supports national service programs within Expanded Learning, providing volunteer and service opportunities for young people and adults.
• Partnership for Children & YouthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Children & Youth supports advocacy and direct services for children and youth in California, aligned with Expanded Learning mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Summer Learning Association: National nonprofit focused exclusively on summer learning, a key part of California's Expanded Learning portfolio that CAN supports. Comparable convening, advocacy, and quality-standards orientation around out-of-school time.
• Afterschool Alliance: National nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. Directly comparable to CAN as an afterschool-focused advocacy and convening organization, with overlapping policy and funding remit.
• National Afterschool Association (NAA): National membership association for afterschool professionals, co-organizer of the Lights On Afterschool celebration with CAN. Operates as a direct peer in convening, professional development, and advocacy for out-of-school time programs, just at the national level rather than state.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs to youth, with chapters in California. Comparable as an afterschool program operator and advocate, though more delivery-focused than CAN's pure convening role.
• CalSAC (California School-Age Consortium): California-based professional association for school-age care professionals and an active CAN partner. Closely comparable in scope: workforce development, training, and standards for California's afterschool workforce, serving overlapping practitioner segments.
• Partnership for Children & Youth: California nonprofit supporting advocacy and direct services for children and youth, including Expanded Learning. Comparable mission and California-specific focus, and listed as a direct CAN partner.
• CA3 (California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance): Statewide voice for expanded learning programs in California, of which CAN is a Steering Member. Highly comparable advocacy and policy function, sharing policy staff and budget-advocacy work with CAN.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National youth-serving organization running afterschool programs in California. Comparable as a major operator of Expanded Learning programs that interacts with CAN's quality, training, and advocacy offerings.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth-services organization operating afterschool and Expanded Learning programs across California. Comparable as a downstream operator in the ecosystem CAN convenes, and a potential ELO-P recipient.
• 4-H Youth Development Program (UC ANR): University of California youth development program delivering after-school and enrichment programming across California. Comparable as a statewide youth-development platform aligned with CAN's workforce and STEAM priorities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ca_afterschool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/%40CaliforniaAfterSchoolNetwork/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/200430476660988
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ca-afterschool-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/caafterschoolnetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California AfterSchool Network