The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides federal funding to establish or expand community learning centers. These centers provide students with opportunities for academic enrichment, youth development and family support during non-school hours or during periods when school is not in session. 21st Century Community Learning Centers provide a broad array of services, programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students. Such activities/programs may include:
In addition, community learning centers may offer opportunities for literacy and related educational development to family members of participating students including school readiness activities for younger siblings of students being served.
Grants can only be awarded to programs that primarily serve students who attend schools with a high concentration of low income students.
The 21st CCLC Profile and Performance Information Collection System Database is available at http://ppics.learningpt.org/ppics/public.asp.
In an effort to ensure projects have a stronger connection to regular school-day programming, TN First to the Top initiatives and Common Core State Standards, proposals should address the following focus areas:
Local educational agencies (LEAs), community-based and faith-based organizations, and other public or private organizations are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants other than an LEA must collaborate with the school(s) of the students to be served. Grant funds may not be used to support religious practices.
Applications must be submitted April 21, 2014, by 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT). The next anticipated deadline for new applicants will be in 2017.
Competitive grant contracts will be awarded in the range of $50,000 to $750,000 per year for three years with an optional two years of additional funding if the project is achieving the desired outcomes for the students being served. Each individual site may ask for $50,000 - $110,000. Matching funds are not required. Experience indicates that a high quality program can be provided at a cost of approximately $1350 for each participating student. For agencies that will be using grant funds to provide participant transportation, provisions may justify grant awards in amounts of $1500 per participating student. Matching funds are not required.