Happy Winter!
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction‘s Office of Federal Programs announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) on January 13, 2025, for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 18 Grant Competition.
Program Overview
Authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Programs provide federal funding to establish or expand community learning centers. These centers operate during out-of-school hours and offer three key services:
- Provide opportunities during non-school hours for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students (particularly students in high poverty areas and those who attend low-performing schools) meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and math.
- Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students.
- Offer families of students served by 21st CCLCs opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.
For the 2025-2028 NCDPI Cohort 18 21st CCLC Competitive Grant Program, NCDPI may award:
- At least two (1) 21st CCLC grants proposing to operate an academic year program (with or without a summer program) per each State Board of Education (SBE) region of the state pending submission of quality applications by at least two (2) eligible organizations in the SBE Region and following Level I and Level II reviews.
- At least one (1) 21st CCLC grant proposing to operate summer only programs per each State Board of Education (SBE) region of the state pending submission of quality applications by at least one (1) eligible organization in the SBE Region and following Level I and Level II reviews.
After the initial awardees are identified, NCDPI may continue to recommend one (1) additional organization per region proposing to operate academic year program (with or without a summer program) for the award based on total application score and ranking. If funding is available, NCDPI will then recommend one (1) additional organization per region proposing to operate summer only programs for the award based on total application score and ranking until funds are depleted.
This grant opportunity is open to a wide range of organizations, including public school units, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, for-profit entities, institutions of higher education, Bureau of Indian Education entities, and city/local government agencies.
For further details, please visit the official 21st CCLC website. Additionally, you can contact your regional program administrator or the Section Chief, Susan Brigman, at Susan.brigman@dpi.nc.gov.
