2020 was a momentous year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Despite the numerous changes that the COVID-19 pandemic brought, the organization strived to continue serving kids and teens across the country in any way that it could. From launching new virtual programs to engaging in fundraising efforts, BGCA found new ways to further its mission and build stronger community ties along the way.
Here are three of BGCA’s most significant news stories from 2020:
1. BGCA establishes a COVID-19 relief fund.
In early April, BGCA announced it would be launching a relief fund that would allow it to bolster its response to COVID-19 in the communities it serves. Proceeds from this fund have enabled the organization to transition much of its programming online to keep youth engaged in Club programming while ensuring their safety. BGCA has also used its COVID-19 Relief Fund to supply meals to Club kids and provide for those with front-line healthcare workers in their families.
2. BGCA receives much-needed funding.
As 2020 came to a close, the president of the Larson Family Foundation announced that the organization would be providing $30 million in funding to BGCA. On an immediate basis, this money will help BGCA broaden the scope of its COVID-19 response to communities it may not have otherwise been able to reach. This funding will also set the organization up for the future by allowing it to train employees, develop new programs, and provide more resources to its Club kids.
3. BGCA launched a partnership to provide online STEM learning.
BGCA recently joined forces with Thermo Fisher Scientific to expand its virtual programming. This partnership has allowed the organization to develop an interactive online STEM curriculum known as “DIY STEM,” which is available to youth across the globe.
