Sponsor a cohort
The program does not charge tuition. The tools families need still cost something.
VIBE is hosted as an after-school program, which means the school is not funding it and families typically cover the AI subscription their child uses during the build phase. That subscription runs around $20 per month and can be a real barrier in some homes. Sponsorship makes scholarships possible, supports the showcase and any project materials a cohort needs, and helps the framework reach students who would otherwise be priced out.
What sponsorships pay for.
Sponsorship funds go toward the things that decide whether a kid can actually take part in the program, not toward overhead that families would never see. Below is exactly how the money is allocated, in plain language.
Family scholarships
The biggest barrier most families face is the AI subscription their child uses during the build phase. Scholarships from the fund cover that subscription for families where $20 a month would be a real strain, so cost never decides who gets a head start.
AI subscription support
Pro-tier access to AI tools for the build phase runs about $20 per seat per month. A semester of access works out to roughly $120 per student. Sponsorship lets a cohort cover this collectively when individual families cannot.
Showcase stipends
Around $250 to $500 per cohort goes toward printing, materials, and the event itself. The showcase is where families see what their kids built. It should feel real, and a small budget makes that possible.
Transportation grants
Site visits to local businesses, studios, and hospitals are part of what makes the program more than a classroom. Transportation funding makes those visits reachable for every student in a cohort, regardless of family means.
Program operations
Hosting, infrastructure, and the small coordination costs of keeping the framework running and its documents up to date. The program currently operates lean with no dedicated staff. As it grows, a small portion of the fund may be retained to cover the people and systems needed to sustain it responsibly, and any change in that direction will be disclosed openly.
Three ways to fund the next cohort.
Every tier puts tools directly in students’ hands. Pick the level that fits, or reach out for a conversation about a custom arrangement.
Support a pilot
Perfect for local businesses and families who want to back a single cohort in their community.
- Logo on local showcase materials
- Invitation to cohort demo day
- Newsletter mention and thank-you
- Direct community impact
Fund multiple cohorts
For companies and organizations that want to fund one to five cohorts and connect their people as guides.
- Everything in Community, plus:
- Logo on vibeafterschool.com
- First access to student showcases
- Guide placement for your employees
- Quarterly impact report
Name a program
For organizations making a long-term commitment to workforce development and student access in their region.
- Everything in Pilot, plus:
- Recognition as a founding partner of the program
- Keynote slot at regional showcase
- Invited to provide input on program direction
- Priority guide matching
The students learning to build with AI today are the ones who will shape your industry tomorrow. Sponsoring a cohort is one of the most direct ways to invest in your community's future.
Community investment
Students who build real projects with AI-fluent professionals from your community gain exposure to careers they would never see in a classroom. That kind of exposure can open doors that classroom learning alone cannot.
Local visibility
Your name is on the showcase stage. Families, administrators, and press attend. The impact is visible and personal in a way that most community investments are not.
Employee engagement
Your team members can serve as guides. Forty-five minutes with a room of students is the kind of work people remember doing. It costs nothing but time.
AI literacy
These students are learning to build with the same tools reshaping every industry. Supporting that early is an investment in the talent pool your community will draw from for decades.
How sponsorship funds are managed.
Transparency is non-negotiable. Here is exactly how funds are held, approved, and reported.
What we plan to track and report.
We commit to transparent reporting as cohorts complete. Here are the measurement categories we track and publish.
Employee engagement
We will measure guide participation rates and collect feedback scores. Industry research suggests employees who guide report higher job satisfaction.
Community reach
We will track showcase attendance, school communications impressions, and local media coverage. Your brand appears on showcase materials.
Talent pipeline
We will report student follow-up interest and, where applicable, internship or apprenticeship conversion rates. 8–15 students per cohort.
Program outcomes
Project completion rates, guide visit attendance, and student self-reported confidence. Methodology and sample sizes published with results.
Note: These are projected measurement categories, not proven ROI. We commit to publishing methodology, sample sizes, and limitations alongside all results.
Organizations supporting VIBE.
These organizations have committed to helping students learn to build with AI. Their support makes pilots possible.
RAUCH
RAUCH is a full-service engineering, architecture, survey, and environmental consulting firm headquartered in Easton, Maryland. Founded in 1984 by Robert D. Rauch, P.E., the firm has grown to 54 professionals and serves clients across Maryland's Eastern Shore and beyond. RAUCH's eight integrated disciplines operate under one roof, enabling seamless coordination from concept through construction.
rauchinc.com · (410) 770-9081 · 106 N. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21601
What sponsors do not get.
Sponsorships fund student access to tools. They do not buy influence over what students learn or build. These boundaries protect the program's integrity.
No curriculum influence
Sponsors do not shape session content, project requirements, or tool selection. The program advisor and VIBE framework guide the program.
No student marketing or recruiting
Student work, data, and contact information are never shared with sponsors. Sponsors do not recruit from the program or market to students.
No exclusive branding in sessions
Sponsor logos appear on showcase materials and the VIBE website. They do not appear in session materials or on student work. The classroom belongs to the students.
Financial transparency
Sponsorships cover direct student costs and program operating expenses, including staff time and infrastructure. We commit to publishing an annual financial transparency report once pilots are underway. A detailed fund breakdown is available on request for any sponsor. For sponsorships over $5,000, third-party financial review is also available on request.
Ready to fund a cohort?
Reach out and we will match you with a school in your community and walk you through the options.
Tax status: VIBE Afterschool is currently operated by Juno Maps, a for-profit company. Sponsorship contributions are not tax-deductible at this time. We are in the process of establishing a dedicated nonprofit entity. Contact us for details on the timeline.
How funds are used: Sponsorships cover direct student costs such as AI subscriptions, showcase materials, and transportation. The program currently operates lean with minimal overhead. As it grows, we may retain a portion to cover the coordination, infrastructure, and people needed to run it responsibly. We will publish that breakdown as it evolves. Details available on request.
Last updated: April 2026