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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 2026 NOFO/RFP Information​

ISBE’s FY 2026 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Notice of Funding Opportunities/Request for Proposals (NOFO/RFP) has been released. All proposals must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Monday, November 24, 2025. Please see the blue dropdown section titled "FY 2026 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS" below for additional information and details.

10/15/2025: Page 43 of the NOFO/RFP has been updated to correct the number of points an applicant must receive to be eligible for Priority Points.

FY 2026 Request for Proposals

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 Century 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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