Grant Information

Grant Program Name: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant
CFDA: 84.287
Funding Source: Federal
Deadline: February 15, 2022

Application Information: This application is an eGrant application

Special Instructional for eGrants Submission

Notice of Intent - eGrants Info Vital

1. Notice of Intent to apply must be received at the 21st CCLC office by Thursday, February 10, 2022, through the official account RA-21stCCLC@pa.gov.
2. Why submit a Notice of Intent?
• In order to upload your application, you must have access to the eGrants system.
• From your notice of intention to apply, we will create your entity account which will grant access to the Division of Student Services grants.
3. What information is needed to open an eGrants account?
1. In your letter of intent please include the following information:
1. The legal name of entity
2. The Administrative Unit Number (AUN) and vendor number for the lead organization (to find you AUN visit the EDNA website).
3. The target population to be served by you program including grade levels, proposed site locations, district and school names, community-based organization partners.
4. The name of your Agency Administrator and any agency signatory authority.
2. If you do not have an AUN number and/or if you have any question regarding eGrants registration, contact the Program Office Administrator Joseph Eye at jeye@pa.gov.

eGrants Application Timeline

1. Open - Monday, February 15, 2022
1. Ensure you choose the Division of Student Services as the program office.
2. Information and Data requested must be electronically entered into the system.
3. All required attachments must be uploaded into the system.
4. When in eGrants, follow the PDF instructions for creating, signing, and submitting the application.
2. Close – Friday, March 25, 2022, at 5:00PM
1. After 5:00 PM, nothing can be entered into the system
2. After 5:00 PM, nothing can be uploaded into the system
3. All applications submitted are locked down for review – no exceptions!

Funding Priorities: As mandated by federal law (P.L. 107-110, §4204[i]), highest funding priority will be given to applications that meet both of the following conditions:

1. The applicant proposes to serve students who attend school districts that have been identified for improvement by the Pennsylvania Department of Education; and

2. The application has been submitted jointly by at least one LEA receiving funds under Title I, Part A and at least one public or private community organization.

Program Description: The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program is authorized under, Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (P.L. 107-110), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The 21st CCLC program provides funding for the establishment of community learning centers to provide academic, artistic and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session. The primary goal of these centers is to assist students with meeting state and local standards for core subjects such as reading and mathematics, by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities. In addition to academics, centers may also offer participants a broad array of other services and programs, such as art, music, service learning, character education, drug and violence prevention programming, recreation activities and technology education. Those opportunities may take place before school, after school and/or during the summer. Ancillary services for parents such as literacy instruction may also be given.

Restrictions on Funding: The amount of funding per grant is dependent upon the range and extent of services described in the application, the number of participants to be served and the special needs demonstrated by the targeted student population. In order to ensure that grants are of sufficient size and scope to support high quality, effective programs, no award will be issued for less than $50,000. Applicants planning to operate small programs, those requiring less than $50,000 per year, should form consortia with other potential applicants to increase likelihood of funding receipt. To the extent practicable, the Pennsylvania Department of Education shall distribute funds equitably among geographic areas within the state, including urban and rural communities.

Eligible Entities and/or Partners: Examples of agencies that are eligible to apply for these funds include, but are not limited to: local education agencies (LEA), non-profit community-based organizations, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, family centers, higher education institutions, for-profit corporations and consortia of two or more of such agencies, organizations, or entities. It is critical that eligible organizations collaborate with LEAs when applying for funds. Non-LEA applicants must provide documentation that they have the full support of the school district to which services are targeted. Likewise, LEA applicants must clearly demonstrate cross-collaboration with relevant school and community groups, agencies and entities.

Method of Distribution: Competitive application process.