Illinois State Board of Education
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The purpose of this page is to provide prospective grantees a landing area for information that may be useful if interested in becoming a Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center. Included on this page is information about potential upcoming competitions.​ Prospective grantees will also find a host of research and resources to begin the process of identifying strategies and best practices in establishing robust 21st CCLC programming.

FY 2027 NOFO Information​

ISBE is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2027 Fiscal Year 2027 Nita M. Lowey Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

All proposals must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Monday, August 24, 2026. Please see the blue dropdown section titled “FY2027 Nita M. Lowey Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers NOFO” below for additional information and details.

Important NOFO Update 7/24/2026: Attachments 13B and 13C on the FY 2027 21st CCLC NOFO Attachments document have been updated to allow a full page for written responses.
 
Important NOFO Update 8/4/2026: The FY 2027 21st CCLC NOFO - Sites Ineligible To Be Served document has been updated to correct Abingdon-Avon High School as being ineligible, not Abingdon-Avon Middle School.​

Important NOFO Update 8/17/2026: Attachment 9 has been updated to allow applicants to enter their total estimated indirect costs as part of their total budget request.​

FY2027 Nita M. Lowey Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers NOFO

Research and Resources on Before and After School Programs

  • ​Wallace Foundation Out-of-School Time Calculator: Gives potential grantees a tool to determine the costs of a variety of options for high-quality afterschool programs and the summer portions of year-round programs. 
  • Illinois Quality Afterschool Standards 
  • U.S. Department of Education (USDE) 
    Information about national education issues, publications, education statistics, and information about its different offices and programs. For more about after-school programs, visit 21st C​​entury Community Learning Centers.
    Specific Resources: 
    • Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Providing Quality After-School Learning Opportunities for America’s Families
       ​​A publication on aspects of the 21st CCLC and a description of the initial challenges and successes of the program. 
    • Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Monitoring Support 
    • Bringing Education to After-School Programs helps after-school providers understand how to integrate academic content (e.g., reading and mathematics) into their programs to enhance learning. 
    • ​Information for Parents and Families:Ideas, funding, and conferences relevant to family and community involvement in education, including after-school programs. 
    • ​Keeping Schools Open as Community Learning Centers: Extended Learning in a Safe, Drug-Free Environment Before and After school is designed to help schools and community-based organizations begin their process of keeping neighborhood schools open for children and families. 
    • Safe and Smart: Making After-School Hours Work for Kids highlights research evidence on the potential of after-school programs to increase the safety of children, reduce their risk-taking, and improve learning. 
    • When Schools Stay Open Late: The National Evaluation of the 21st-Century Community Learning Centers Program presents the first-year findings of a large and rigorous examination of school-based after-school programs.
  • Learning Point Associates
    Provides information for after-school programs and other educational issues. Beyond the Bell (third edition) is a valuable resource for program directors and site coordinators. Includes resources and examples of after-school programs.
    Specific Resources: 
  • ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology
    Web-based lesson plans, curriculum units. Browse subject and keyword lists, or search The Gateway. Retrieved records will link directly to the Internet resources they describe. 
  • Statewide Afterschool Network​
    Explore key resources and research about the power of afterschool and summer learning for promoting student success and providing opportunities to build skills and explore future careers. ​

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