As described by the U.S. Department of Education, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
Public schools may not apply for a 21st Century grant; applications must be made by local education agencies or districts, community-based organizations, other public or private entities or a consortium of two or more such agencies, organizations or entities.
Districts – Yes
Private faith-based organization – Yes
Charter school – No, if the school is chartered by a district, since individual public schools may not apply. The district or another eligible entity may apply to serve the charter.
Charter school – Yes, if the school is chartered by the Public Education Commission. Such schools have LEA (local education agency) status for the purpose of these grants.
University -- Yes
Organization that does not provide direct services to the participating students -- Yes. This is permissible as long as the organization collaborated in the planning and design of the program, has a substantial role to play in the delivery of services, shares grant resources to carry out those roles and has significant ongoing involvement in the management and oversight of the program.
The minimum award is $50,000. States must ensure that awards are of sufficient size and scope to support high-quality, effective programs. Federal grant funding is provided to grantees for a period of three to five years. Grantees must use program funds to supplement and not supplant other federal, state and local funds.
21st Century grants provide seed grants for new programs and are not intended to provide programs with long-term funding. Grants can be renewed for up to four additional years based on the proven success of the program. As grants expire, schools and community partners must find funding sources for long-term sustainability.
A new Request for Proposals (RFP) is not being issued for 2009-2010.
For more information, contact Roxann Morris at (505) 222-4741 or roxannL.morris@state.nm.us.
