Grant Information

Grant Program Name: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
CFDA: 84.287
Funding Source: Federal
Application Information: This application is an eGrants application.

Notice of Intent to apply/Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Prescreening Questionnaire must be received at the 21st CCLC office by Monday, October 16, 2023, through the official account RA-21stCCLC@pa.gov.

eGrants Application Timeline

• Open – Monday, October 23, 2023
  • Ensure you choose the Division of Student Services as the program office.
    
  • Information and Data requested must be electronically entered into the system.
  • All required attachments must be uploaded into the system.
  • When in eGrants, follow the PDF instructions for creating, signing, and submitting the application.
• Close – Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 12:00 PM
  • After 12:00 PM, nothing can be entered or uploaded into the system.
  • All applications submitted are locked down for review with no exceptions.

Funding Priorities: As mandated by federal law (P.L. 107-110, §4204[i]), highest funding priority will be given to applications that meet both of the following conditions:

1. The applicant proposes to serve students who attend school districts that have been identified for improvement by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; and
2. The application has been submitted jointly by at least one LEA receiving funds under Title I, Part A and at least one public or private community organization.

Program Description: The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is authorized under, Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (P.L. 107-110), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The 21st CCLC program provides funding for the establishment of community learning centers to provide academic, artistic, and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session. The primary goal of these centers is to assist students with meeting state and local standards for core subjects such as reading and mathematics, by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities. In addition to academics, centers may also offer participants a broad array of other services and programs, such as art, music, service learning, character education, drug and violence prevention programming, recreation activities and technology education. Those opportunities may take place before school, after school and/or during the summer. Ancillary services for parents such as literacy instruction may also be given.

Restrictions on funding: The amount of funding per grant is dependent upon the range and extent of services described in the application, the number of participants to be served and the special needs demonstrated by the targeted student population. To ensure that grants are of sufficient size and scope to support high quality, effective programs, no award will be issued for less than $50,000. Applicants planning to operate small programs, those requiring less than $50,000 per year, should form consortia with other potential applicants to increase likelihood of funding receipt. To the extent practicable, the Pennsylvania Department of Education shall distribute funds equitably among geographic areas within the state, including urban and rural communities.

Eligible Entities and/or Partners: Examples of agencies that are eligible to apply for these funds include but are not limited to: local education agencies (LEA), non-profit community-based organizations, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, family centers, higher education institutions, for-profit corporations, and consortia of two or more of such agencies, organizations, or entities. It is critical that eligible organizations collaborate with LEAs when applying for funds. Non-LEA applicants must provide documentation that they have the full support of the school district to which services are targeted. Likewise, LEA applicants must clearly demonstrate cross-collaboration with relevant school and community groups, agencies, and entities.

• Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Pre-Screening Checklist (Word)
  

All applicants proposing to apply must complete the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Per-Screening Checklist. Part B-21st Century Community Learning Centers Sec. 4201 5 (A) states that: Employees of a State educational agency familiar with the programs and activities assisted under this part review all applications that the State receives for awards for completeness and applicant eligibility.

This checklist will determine an entity's fiscal and program management to ensure that subgrantees will provide a quality program under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC).

• 21st CCLC Prescreening Checklist (Word)
  

Method of Distribution: Competitive application process