The importance of afterschool programs have been linked to improved reading and math grades and a steady decline in drug, cigarette, and alcohol use by those who participate in such programs. The Afterschool Alliance was established in 2000 with funding provided by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The website for the Alliance has a section on afterschool programs and the role they can play in learning and encouraging interest in STEM subjects. At the top right hand side of the "Afterschool & STEM" section, visitors can learn about the "curriculum," "allies," "funding," "research," "policy," and "resources" for STEM afterschool programs. There are almost a dozen resources for high quality activities, curricula, and programs, in the curriculum link, including "Thinkfinity" (free), "Design Squad" (free) and "FIRST Robotics." The "funding" link provides 11 sources of afterschool STEM funds from such companies as Honda, Intel and Motorola, as well as from a multitude of federal government agencies.