Empowering Grand Rapids families to expand learning

Outbridge AGR, a partnership between Outschool.org and AmplifyGR, is transforming education access for families in southeast Grand Rapids, MI. By providing flexible, direct-to-family scholarships alongside expert navigation and community support, the program empowers families to overcome systemic barriers and invest in their children’s growth. Since its launch in 2023, Outbridge AGR has enabled over 400 learners from 80+ schools to access high-quality enrichment opportunities.

In 18 months, families spent over $250,000 on learning experiences, with 91% reporting their children developed new skills and 71% increase in confidence navigating educational resources (up from just 13%). By combining funding with tailored guidance and community-building, Outbridge AGR demonstrates how investing directly in families can close the enrichment gap, strengthen communities, and deliver life-changing results for children.

Executive Summary

Breaking barriers to enrichment

In southeast Grand Rapids, MI, families face persistent barriers to accessing educational enrichment, from financial constraints to a lack of information about available opportunities. Even modest fees prevent many children from participating in activities that foster creativity, confidence, and lifelong skills. AmplifyGR, a member of the Purpose Built Communities movement, addresses these inequities in the 49507 zip code through a multigenerational approach focused on education, housing, and economic opportunity.

In 2023, Outschool.org partnered with AmplifyGR to launch Outbridge AGR: a direct-to-family scholarship program that empowers families with resources and support to invest in their children’s education. Outbridge AGR not only provides flexible microgrants but also emphasizes navigation and community-building, equipping families to confidently explore opportunities they once considered out of reach.

84%

Family Empowerment

Families said they felt confident in their ability to navigate the resources available while participating in Outbridge

82%

Positive Attitude Towards Learning

91%

Families said their child’s overall attitude toward learning improved while engaged in Outbridge

New Skills

Families said their child developed new skills thanks to Outbridge

Community Connection

The majority of transactions in Outschool.org’s microgrant programs were spent locally on in-person community resources.

From Pilot to Full-Scale Impact

Outbridge AGR began in April 2023 as a pilot program serving 40 learners at River City Scholars Charter Academy. Many families in the pilot faced significant challenges, with half reporting housing instability. Only 13% felt informed enough to make the best educational choices for their children, and a similar proportion felt their voices were valued in their children’s out-of-school experiences. Despite these obstacles, families demonstrated a strong commitment to their children’s growth, using their $500 scholarships to purchase reusable learning materials such as laptops, books, and science kits. These foundational investments supported academic learning and creative exploration at home.

The success of the pilot revealed a significant demand for enrichment opportunities in the AmplifyGR service area. Families were eager for both financial support and trusted guidance to navigate their options. In response, Outschool.org and AmplifyGR expanded Outbridge AGR in the fall of 2023, scaling the program to include over 400 learners from across the community. This expansion welcomed students from more than 80 schools, including public, charter, private, and homeschool settings, reflecting families’ determination to seek out the best opportunities for their children, regardless of location or institutional boundaries.

Meeting Families Where They Are: Insights Into Demand

Outbridge AGR’s phased approach offered a unique lens into the priorities of participating families. In the pilot phase, families focused heavily on durable learning materials, with 66% of funds spent on items like laptops, books, and science kits. These resources addressed immediate educational needs and established a foundation for independent learning.

As the program expanded, families shifted toward experiential opportunities. During the second funding round, launched in the summer of 2024, 59% of funds were directed toward local, in-person activities, including sports leagues, creative arts classes, and memberships to community institutions such as the YMCA and local zoos. Popular choices included:

  • Sports and Recreation: Basketball leagues, soccer camps, fencing lessons, and aerial fitness classes.

  • Creative Arts: Cartooning, painting, and performance-based activities like silks and dance.

  • Academic Enrichment: Subscriptions to learning platforms such as IXL and ABC Mouse, as well as college admissions preparation.

  • Community Engagement: Memberships to local institutions like John Ball Zoo and Binder Park Zoo, offering ongoing opportunities for exploration.

This evolution from foundational purchases to experiential learning underscores the value of flexibility and choice in meeting families’ diverse needs. It also highlights the importance of a phased approach to funding that grows alongside families’ confidence and understanding of available opportunities.

Stories of Impact: Real Families, Real Change

Outbridge AGR created transformative opportunities for families across southeast Grand Rapids.

Kiara Baskin and Her Children, KJ and Tristan

For Kiara, Outbridge AGR opened doors for her two children. Her daughter KJ, age 11, pursued her dream of becoming a contortionist by enrolling in aerial fitness classes at Zeal, where she excelled and quickly advanced. Alongside KJ, her son Tristan, age 6, explored fencing, basketball, soccer, and more, channeling his boundless energy into new skills.

“We have so much fun with this program,” Kiara said. “My kids got to try things I never imagined they would be doing.”

Tristan fencing.

Felicia and her son

Emily, a mother of five, became a vital resource for other families. On the program’s social platform, she shared tips about discounted museum memberships, local events, and creative uses for scholarships. Her contributions strengthened the program’s community, ensuring families could maximize their participation.

Kiara, KJ, and Tristan at an Outbridge AGR Holiday Party in December 2023. 

KJ showing off her silks skills.

Felicia used Outbridge funds to nurture her son’s passion for art. She enrolled him in cartooning classes at Cultivate GR and purchased art supplies so he could continue creating at home. These experiences helped him grow as an artist and fueled his enthusiasm for learning.

Emily McClain and Her Community Leadership

Candy and her daughter

Candy focused on early learning, using her scholarship to purchase a printer and create custom resources to teach her daughter colors and shapes. “Learning isn’t just at school—it’s also at home,” Candy explained, highlighting how the program empowered her to take an active role in her child’s education.

Beyond Funding: Building a Community of Support

What sets Outbridge AGR apart is Outschool.org’s commitment to pairing financial resources with navigation and community-building. Outschool.org provided families with guidance to navigate their options, peer-to-peer connections for shared learning, and events to celebrate their children’s achievements. This approach turned a microgrant program into a community-driven movement.

  • Expert Guidance: Families received one-on-one support to identify enrichment opportunities tailored to their children’s interests. Outschool.org moderated the program’s platform, organized live events, and offered targeted interventions to ensure families could fully engage.

  • Peer-to-Peer Learning: Through a social platform, families shared recommendations, celebrated their children’s milestones, and learned from one another’s experiences.

  • Celebratory Events: In-person gatherings, such as holiday parties, built trust and a sense of belonging while encouraging participation.

By offering this layered support, Outbridge AGR transformed financial assistance into meaningful, lifelong opportunities. At the program’s start, only 13% of families felt confident navigating educational resources. By the end, that number had risen to 84%.

Conclusion: Empowering Families, Transforming Communities

Over 18 months, Outbridge AGR families invested more than $250,000 in their children’s education. The program’s impact is clear:

  • 91% of families reported their children developed new skills.

  • 84% of families felt confident navigating educational resources in their community, up from just 13% at the program’s start.

  • 82% observed improved attitudes toward learning.

By addressing both financial and informational barriers, Outbridge AGR created lasting change for families in southeast Grand Rapids. This approach not only empowered parents to make informed choices but also strengthened the community by directing resources to local businesses and organizations.

Outbridge AGR exemplifies how direct-to-family funding, paired with thoughtful guidance and community-building, can close the enrichment gap, expand parental choice, and unlock new opportunities for children to thrive.