Title IV - 21st Century Comm Learning Centers: 21st CCLC

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in coordination with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Illinois Department of Human Services, administers the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant. This federally funded initiative, authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), supports academic enrichment and youth development programs during non-school hours. The program is designed to assist students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools in meeting state academic standards while providing families with opportunities for literacy and related educational development. The 21st CCLC program offers after-school, before-school, and summer learning experiences emphasizing academic enrichment, youth development, and family engagement. Activities may include tutoring, mentoring, arts, music, physical fitness, nutrition, service learning, science and technology programming, and counseling services. The program requires grantees to ensure that services supplement, not supplant, existing funding and provide equitable access to both public and private school students in the geographic area served. Family services, including literacy and education support, may also be funded as part of the program. Eligible applicants include public and private entities such as local education agencies, public university laboratory schools, ISBE-authorized charter schools, regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, community-based and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and other public or private entities. Applicants may also form consortia, provided they include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by all co-applicants. Proposals serving schools with at least 40 percent low-income enrollment are eligible, and priority is given to joint applications between Title I Part A districts and community organizations serving targeted or rural schools, middle and high schools, or first-time grantees. For FY 2026, approximately $12.6 million in total program funding is available. Annual awards range from $50,000 to $600,000, with a maximum of $150,000 per site based on the number of students served for at least 45 hours or more per year. Indirect costs are capped at 8 percent under the U.S. Department of Education’s restricted rate. Matching funds are not required, but administrative costs must not exceed 5 percent of the total grant amount. Funds may cover direct instructional costs, professional development, evaluation, and other program-related expenses, while unallowable costs include construction, snacks, meals, and purely recreational activities. Applications must be submitted through the ISBE Attachment Manager by 4:00 PM Central Time on November 24, 2025, following the open date of October 10, 2025. Applicants must complete all prequalification steps under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) and possess an active SAM registration and Region-County-District-Type (RCDT) code. An optional technical assistance session will be held on October 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM, and letters of intent are encouraged by October 31, 2025. Tentative awards will be announced approximately 90 days after the deadline, with the grant period beginning no sooner than July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 (or August 31, 2026, for extended-year programs). Programs may reapply for continuation for up to two additional years, contingent on performance and federal appropriations. Applications will be scored using a merit-based review process, and proposals must achieve a base score of at least 111 out of 185 points to be eligible for competitive priority points. Evaluation criteria include alignment with program objectives, evidence-based strategies, measurable outcomes, and sustainability. Grantees must complete annual evaluations, state reporting, and participation in ISBE monitoring and training activities. For questions or technical assistance, applicants may contact Ryan Levin at rlevin@isbe.net or the program inbox at 21cclcrfp@isbe.net.

Ensure all attachments (RCDT code, MOU, budget) are complete and signed; proposals missing any required component or serving ineligible schools are disqualified.