Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) Grant, administered by the South Dakota Department of Education (SD DOE), supports the development of high-quality out-of-school time learning programs across South Dakota. Authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 21CCLC program's mission is to provide academic enrichment opportunities and a broad range of supportive services during non-school hours. These programs aim to help students meet state and local academic standards, improve overall student success, and provide safe environments for learning. Priority is given to students attending schools with high levels of poverty, and the initiative also extends its benefits to families by offering literacy and engagement opportunities. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as school districts, community-based organizations, local governments, tribal schools, faith-based organizations, and for-profit and nonprofit institutions. The key requirement is that applicants must serve students enrolled in schools eligible for Title I Schoolwide Programs or schools with a minimum poverty rate of 40 percent, as determined by Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) eligibility. For middle and high schools, a feeder pattern approach can be used to establish poverty levels. All applicants must document poverty data from official sources and ensure their programs target communities in need of expanded educational services. The 21CCLC grant funds programming for a four-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030, with each annual cycle contingent on satisfactory performance and available federal funding. Award amounts range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $300,000 per year. The funds must be used to deliver direct services to students and families, including academic enrichment, supplemental services, and family engagement initiatives. Grantees are expected to operate during non-school hours, including before and after school, weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. There is no fixed minimum for program hours or activity categories, but programming must be consistent and prioritize academic enrichment. Applicants are required to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment, which must inform their program design, hours of operation, and activity selection. Successful applications demonstrate alignment with state academic standards and incorporate evidence-based strategies to increase attendance, improve academic performance, and support social-emotional development. The program also emphasizes collaboration with participating schools, community partners, and families. Applicants must ensure compliance with various state and federal regulations, including accessibility requirements for students with disabilities, licensure from the Department of Social Services, and proper staff training and supervision. A mandatory Notice of Intent to Apply must be submitted via email or mail by January 26, 2026, for each proposed project. Only entities that submit this notice will be eligible to submit a full application, which will be completed through the South Dakota DOE’s Grant Management System (GMS). Full applications must include a detailed program narrative, budget and justification, evaluation plan, staffing model, and documentation of school and community consultation. Applications will be reviewed by peer reviewers and evaluated based on criteria including community need, project design, adequacy of resources, management, and partnerships. The program has strong monitoring and evaluation requirements. Grantees must submit Annual Performance Reports (APR), track key metrics such as Average Daily Attendance (ADA), and participate in federal and state-level evaluations. Funding decisions for continuation years will be based on compliance and performance. The program does not allow for guaranteed renewals beyond the four-year term. Furthermore, grantees may not use 21CCLC funds to supplant existing services, construct facilities, or purchase vehicles. Questions can be directed to SD DOE’s Title IV Program staff, and applicants are encouraged to access technical assistance resources, including toolkits and training provided by the state and the 21CCLC National Technical Assistance Center.

Demonstrate strong community need; align with academic standards; use evidence-based practices; ensure school and partner consultation is documented.