Comic Relief US is working to create a just world free from poverty and full of opportunity.

Comic Relief US raises money and awareness to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities here in America, and around the world. A donation to Comic Relief US fuels our Innovation and Growth Fund, making this critical work possible.

Through the power of entertainment, and thanks to the unwavering generosity of the public and our partners, together we are changing lives. Donate today to stand with us.

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Giving monthly is a powerful way to stand with Comic Relief all year long.

Comic Relief US raises money and awareness to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities here in America, and around the world.

A donation to Comic Relief US fuels our Innovation and Growth Fund, making this critical work possible. Through the power of entertainment, and thanks to the unwavering generosity of the public and our partners, together we are changing lives.

Donate today to stand with us.

Your gift is 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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Afterschool Specials

Comic Relief US supports programs that narrow the achievement gap between high- and low-income students

7 September 2023
A teacher working with students on the floor of the library

Did you know that families with the highest incomes spend five times more on extracurricular activities than families of children from historically underserved communities?

Extracurricular programs give students a chance to participate in enrichment activities they may not receive in the classroom, things like music, sports, academic support, mentoring, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses. These activities help build the knowledge and skills children need to better understand and engage in the world beyond their community and help develop and define their interests and abilities.

One of the biggest issues facing society today is something called an achievement or opportunity gap, which is the way uncontrollable factors can contribute to lower rates of success in a child’s future. It can limit economic mobility — only 70 percent of students from low-income families graduate from high school, compared with 85 percent of their more-affluent peers, and only 10 percent of young adults from lowest-income families have a bachelor’s degree by age 25, compared with 77 percent of individuals from families in the highest income group. The unemployment rate among people without a high school diploma is 50 percent higher than among high school graduates and 100 percent higher than among college graduates — and those with jobs earn far less.

Extracurricular programs help narrow the achievement gap between high- and low-income students in math, reduce school absences, and improve students’ motivation and engagement from elementary to high school.

In addition to being cost-prohibitive for many, access to these programs can be limited due to a lack of available spots and transportation, hours that don’t meet parents’ needs, and other factors. Black and Hispanic families face the greatest barriers to enrolling children in these programs, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

Quality extracurricular programs help strengthen communities across the country, but for every child who has a spot in one, four more are on a waiting list — that’s 24.7 million children who would be reaping the benefits of out-of-school activities if they had the opportunity.

Benefits of high-quality extracurricular programs, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, include:

  • Offering experiences that could spark a lifelong passion or help students develop special skills. For example, nearly six million students are exploring STEM subjects in afterschool programs, fields that are driving economic growth around the world.
  • Making it easier for parents to hold down jobs. In a survey of  New York City families, eight in 10 parents said the programs enabled them to work longer hours and miss less work.
  • Providing a safe environment for children. A safe environment and high-quality staff are parents’ highest priorities for out-of-school enrichment programs.  
  • Giving children healthy food and opportunities for physical activity. Parents surveyed by the Afterschool Alliance said physical activity and availability of snacks and meals are important factors in choosing a program.  
  • Arranging opportunities to learn about college and careers, including help with college and financial aid applications. Programs can offer internships and other work experiences and college visits and provide exposure to community service projects.  
  • Reducing risky behavior for older students. One study found that early childhood and organized middle school experiences led to less impulsivity and fewer problem behaviors in adulthood.  


Comic Relief US is committed to addressing this gap in access and opportunities and partners with organizations, including Laureus, the Student Conservation Association, Coded by Kids, and the Boys and Girls Club Native Services, to provide after-school programming for young people.

Learn more about Comic Relief US's support for education programs, including STEAM learning and early childhood education. 

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