The 3-to-6 PM Blueprint That Can Transform a Community

Send us Fan MailHow can nonprofits build community support for after-school programs while creating measurable value for children, families, funders, and local leaders? JonPaul Reed, founder and executive director of Pure Momentum Group and founder of Athlete University, shares how the hours between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. can become a powerful platform for youth development and stronger communities.The school day may end before parents finish working, but JonPaul sees that gap as much more than a supervision problem. It is an opportunity to build work ethic, decision-making, teamwork, leadership, communication skills, and what he calls “monetizable skill sets.”“We’re either taking advantage of that window or we’re not,” he explains.JonPaul also examines how youth sports have become increasingly driven by money, exclusivity, and winning. For nonprofit leaders, his warning is clear: programs must remain grounded in access, developmental outcomes, and the needs of young people—not simply the ambitions of adults.The conversation moves from program philosophy into the business of running and growing a youth-serving nonprofit. JonPaul discusses building parent buy-in, choosing the right time for difficult conversations, maintaining organizational paperwork, meeting with commissioners, submitting proposals, developing municipal relationships, and presenting a program in language decision-makers understand.His experience also shows why passion alone is not enough. Nonprofits need a defined model, consistent follow-up, credible documentation, accessible leadership, and a message that community partners can quickly understand. As JonPaul advises, “Package your product and package it well, and also get the right person to speak for you.”For nonprofit executives, program directors, board members, coaches, and community leaders, this episode offers a candid look at how mission, culture, communication, and operational discipline work together to create sustainable youth programs.Key Takeaways:* Treat the 3-to-6 p.m. period as a youth-development and workforce-readiness opportunity—not merely a childcare gap.* Build parent participation through timely, honest communication and shared accountability.* Define developmental outcomes before allowing competition, revenue, or adult expectations to shape the program.* Establish tax-exempt status, documentation, proposals, and operating records before approaching major partners.* Translate personal passion into a clear model that public officials, businesses, and funders can understand.* Delegate communications and introductions when another team member can position the organization more effectively.00:00:00 Why the 3-to-6 PM Window Matters00:02:31 Building Access Through Pure Momentum Group00:05:49 The Daily Gap Between School and Home00:07:28 Turning a Youth Development Gap Into a Gateway00:08:14 Preparing Young People for a Competitive World00:11:29 Reclaiming the Developmental Purpose of Sports00:16:14 Building Accountability With Parents and Children00:19:05 Creating Culture and Organizational Buy-In00:20:42 How Youth Programs Gain Community Support00:22:10 Packaging a Mission for Partners and Funders00:23:28 Documentation, Legitimacy, and Funding Readiness00:28:23 Leading Through Criticism, Risk, and Resilience#AfterSchoolPrograms #NonprofitLeadership #TheNonprofitShowFind us Live daily on YouTube!Find us  Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits!  12:30pm ET   11:30am CT  10:30am MT  9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: [email protected] us on the web:The Nonprofit Show