Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) program administered by the South Dakota Department of Education is a federally funded initiative designed to support academic enrichment for students during non-school hours. The program targets students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools, aiming to offer safe, structured environments with access to high-quality academic and developmental activities. Rooted in Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 21CCLC initiative seeks to improve educational outcomes by aligning with state and local academic standards, while also providing students with opportunities for holistic growth and family engagement. Eligible applicants for this program include a diverse range of entities such as school districts, community-based organizations, non-profits, for-profit entities, local governments, institutions of higher education, tribal schools, and religious organizations. To qualify, applicants must serve students from public schools with either Title I Schoolwide status or a minimum of 40% of students eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch. The program supports the use of the feeder pattern method to calculate eligibility for middle and high schools. Projects must be collaboratively developed with eligible schools and should be based on a robust community needs assessment that addresses academic, behavioral, and logistical needs such as transportation and access to safe facilities. The 21CCLC grant awards span four years, with each annual cycle running from July 1 to June 30. Applicants may request funding ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 per year, contingent upon federal appropriations. Joint applications from multiple agencies are permitted, provided a formal agreement is included. Grants are renewable annually, subject to performance and compliance with the approved application and budget. While up to 10% of unspent funds may be carried over each year, reliance on carryover funding is discouraged. Programs are required to offer consistent academic enrichment, a broad array of services including arts, STEM, counseling, and youth development, as well as family engagement initiatives designed to actively involve parents and guardians in supporting student success. Application submissions must be made through the South Dakota Department of Education’s Grant Management System (GMS). Prior to full application submission, a Notice of Intent (NOI) must be sent by the specified due date. Each application must be aligned with state academic standards and must demonstrate how the proposed program will operate in accessible and safe facilities. A detailed plan is required covering academic and enrichment activities, transportation, staffing, marketing, and program sustainability. Applications will be peer-reviewed and evaluated based on need, project design, resources, management, collaboration, and evaluation plans. Applicants are encouraged to propose evidence-based strategies and align efforts with initiatives such as the Science of Reading and chronic absenteeism reduction. Grantees must adhere to strict compliance and reporting standards, including participation in federal and state evaluation efforts, accurate attendance tracking, and submission of required reports and documentation through designated platforms. Programs must report outcomes in areas such as academic growth, GPA improvement, attendance rates, and engagement. Evaluations must be conducted periodically, with results used for program improvement and made available to the public. Programs are also monitored annually based on risk assessments, and must submit evidence of implementation and fiscal documentation via the Crate system. All applicants must ensure compliance with federal and state regulations including EDGAR and other applicable laws. Expenditures must be reasonable, necessary, and allocable. Certain uses of funds are prohibited, such as facility construction and vehicle purchases. Applicants must avoid supplanting existing services and ensure that any program income is approved and does not pose barriers to participation. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM registration are required before submitting a full application. Award notifications and funding decisions will be communicated after the application review, and applicants not selected may receive feedback for future submissions.

Prioritize clear linkage between needs, program design, and budget; address ADA expectations and evaluation criteria