Title IV, Part B - 21st Century Community Learning Centers Resources

The Title IV, Part B - Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program provides grants to schools, community-based, faith-based, and/or non-profit organizations as partners for the establishment of community learning centers to keep children safe while providing academic and enrichment activities during after-school hours.

The overarching goal of the state-administered federal program is to establish or expand community learning centers during non-school hours, providing students with academic and enrichment opportunities, as well as supportive services necessary to help them achieve academically and develop socially, emotionally, physically and behaviorally.

The grants are intended for schools eligible for Title I Schoolwide Program funds, where at least 40 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

Title IV, Part B Guidance (46.54 KB) .pdf

Iowa 21st CCLC Community Partners List (91.61 KB) .xlsx

• Iowa 21st CCLC Funded Subgrantees (20.72 KB) .xlsx

Beware of Free Grant Writing

There are companies that operate online, offering “free” grant writing services that are not free. Some require you to sign a contract before receiving an award that asks you to purchase from a third party in exchange for their services if awarded.

However, you cannot use grant funds before you receive the award, and any purchases must be allowable. Agreements entered into before you receive a grant award are not payable with 21st Century Community Learning funds. We recommend that you contact your attorney before entering into any agreements.

From Evaluation Guidelines in RFA: No more than 4% of each program's total budget can be used for local evaluation efforts. You may NOT use grant funds to pay for grant writing or make purchases, enter into any contract, or incur expenses before you have a signed grant agreement. – pg. 22 of Iowa RFA

Example: If you receive an award of $100,000, you may spend up to $4,000 on local evaluation.

Grant writing expenses are paid with your funds and are not reimbursable with grant funds.

FY27 Grant Application Timeline & Application Update

• Sept. 1, 2026 – The REQUIRED Letter of Intent to Apply (LOI) survey opens for any parties interested in applying for 21CCLC funding in Iowa. The brief LOI survey must be completed by all parties interested in applying. There is no obligation to apply once completed. Information obtained from the LOI will be used to build the necessary profiles for parties to complete their grant application, if desired, by December 31st.
• Sept. 17, 2026 – Department staff will provide a brief overview of the 21CCLC program in Iowa and offer additional information and guidance on the application process for the 2027-2028 academic year award period.
  • Impact Afterschool Conference – Workshop session provided in person at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines, IA. The conference is hosted by the Iowa Afterschool Alliance.
• Oct. 7, 2026 - A training session for current awardees and those interested in becoming a local program evaluator for the required annual independent program evaluations of every Iowa 21CCLC program. No prior registration is required. The session will be offered from 2-3:30 PM CST, recorded and posted for public review and reference.
  • Session: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, 2-3:30 p.m.
    Session Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 872 1334 2301, Passcode: 502326)
• Oct. 30, 2026 - Request for Application (RFA) opens.
• October-December 2026 - Technical Assistance Office Hours
  • Session 1: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Session 1 Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 865 9949 8165, Passcode: 809748)
  • Session 2: Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, 1-3 p.m.
    Session 2 Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 831 2318 7400, Passcode: 367142)
  • Session 3: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2026, 9-11 a.m.
    Session 3 Zoom Link ((Meeting ID: 871 5540 5667, Passcode: 848046)
• Nov. 30, 2026 - Required Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply Survey Due Date
• Dec. 31, 2026 - Grant Application (RFA) Due Date
• 21st CCLC Instructions for the Application (1.87 MB) .pdf - Complete Application Packet and Budget Form D1.
  • Form D1 (39.19 KB) .xlsx - To be uploaded when you apply.
    • Form D1S (154.14 KB) .pdf - Optional, but helpful summary of funding request
  • Form D2 (51.05 KB) .xlsx - No longer required, but useful for sustainability planning.
• Include the following attachments:
  • 21st CCLC Communications Template (130.52 KB) .pdf (to be uploaded when you apply)
  • 21st CCLC Assurances and Agreements (170.59 KB) .pdf (to be uploaded when you apply)
  • Sustainability Planning & History Template (206.71 KB) .pdf (to be uploaded by prior grantees)
  • Collaborative Signature List (111.28 KB) .pdf (to be uploaded when you apply)
  • Include 5 MOUs to document your community partners
  • Request for Competitive Priority (159.87 KB) .pdf - To be uploaded when you apply.
  • Nonpublic School Consultation Meeting Log (146.4 KB) .pdf
  • Sustainability Planning and MOU Template (273.92 KB) .pdf

Timeline:

• December 2026–January 2027 – Applications reviewed by Department staff for compliance.
• January 2027 – Grant reviewers read and score applications for funding.
• February 2027 – Grant reviewers conference.
• April 2027 – Grant awards announced.
• May–June 2027 – Grant contracts finalized.
• July 1, 2027 – Program implementation may begin immediately with summer programming or with the beginning of the school year in August/September.

FY27 Request for Applications

The items listed below are for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers FY27 (Fall 2026) that will fund programs for the 2027-2028 academic year (June 2027 – July 2028).

• 21CCLC Request for Applications (RFA) Checklist (170.85 KB) .pdf
• 21st CCLC Instructions for the Application (1.87 MB) .pdf (Read this before you begin the RFA)
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers RFA (379.23 KB) .pdf – Complete Application Packet
• Iowa 21CCLC RFA Rubric (273.62 KB) .pdf – How points are awarded by Grant Reviewers
• Forms to be uploaded when you apply.
  • Program Abstract (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Student Needs Assessment (62.84 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Project Plan (62.46 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Research Base Plan (61.34 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Management and Sustainability Plan (62.53 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Communications Plan (61.9 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Partnerships Plan (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Evaluation Plan (62.83 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
  • Budget Plan (62.41 KB) .docx (To be uploaded when you apply.)
• Request for Competitive Priority (159.87 KB) .pdf
• U.S. Census Bureau (To document a rural location)
• 21st CCLC Communications Template (130.52 KB) .pdf (To be uploaded when you apply.)
• 21st CCLC Assurances and Agreements (170.59 KB) .pdf (To be uploaded when you apply.)
• Previous Sustainability Form (206.71 KB) .pdf (To be uploaded by prior grantees.)
• MOU summary and Template (273.92 KB) .pdf
• Collaborative Signature (111.28 KB) .pdf (To be uploaded when you apply.)
• Community Partner Official Notice (139.11 KB) .pdf
• Legal Status of Applicant (119.2 KB) .pdf

Additional Information:

• ​ Application Financial Guidance (308.35 KB) .pdf
• Guide to Program Budgets and Accounting (781.77 KB) .docx
• Iowa 21st Century Funding Estimator (18.99 KB) .xlsx (Use this spreadsheet to calculate your award.)
• Appendix A Practice Lists (163.53 KB) .pdf
• Appendix B Definitions (208.66 KB) .pdf
• Appendix C Contractual Terms (229.85 KB) .pdf
• Appendix D Iowa Site Monitoring Documentation Form (241.7 KB) .pdf
• Appendix E Iowa Comprehensive Site Visit for 21st CCLC (340.98 KB) .pdf
• Appendix F - Partnerships for Adult Literacy (114.03 KB) .pdf
• Appendix G - Sustainability Plan and MOU Template (273.92 KB) .pdf
• Appendix H - Research (149.91 KB) .pdf
• Appendix I - 21st Century Guide to Iowa Program Budgets (322.1 KB) .pdf
• Appendix J - After the Peer Review Process - Federal (160.09 KB) .pdf
• Appendix J -1 - After the Peer Review Process - Iowa (144.35 KB) .pdf
• Appendix J - 2 - Competitive Grant Appeal Process (175.21 KB) .pdf
• Appendix J - 3 Competitive Grant Appeal Process (124.37 KB) .pdf
• Appendix K - Data Collection Authority for the 21CCLC (179.3 KB) .pdf
• Appendix M - IAA Role of Advisory Boards in AS Programs (479.86 KB) .pdf
• Appendix M - 1 IAA Advisory Board Planning Worksheet (217.04 KB) .pdf
• Appendix N - Iowa 21CCLC Student Needs Assessment (126.55 KB) .pdf
• Appendix O - Nonpublic School Consultation Guidance (137.36 KB) .pdf
• Appendix P - Office of Inspector General Grant Fraud (85.71 KB) .pdf
• Appendix Q Children with Disabilities and 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (411.61 KB) .pdf

Evaluation and Professional Development Support

Evaluation Support

Local Evaluation Guidelines (114.98 KB) .pdf

Local Evaluation Form (124.88 KB) .docx (Required for all local evaluations.)

The required objectives are now the GPRA measures.

Grantees are encouraged to add local objectives in their evaluations. This data will be considered anecdotal since it will not be consistent with other grantees. However, it is still important to your local evaluation.

A GOOD local evaluation should follow this formula:

GPRA measures + Local objectives + Success Stories + Pictures + other good data = A well-developed evaluation.

The new APR data system (which replaced the PPICS) does not have the same reporting functions as the previous system. To aggregate data and to provide a uniform reporting of local evaluation data, this form is required. Local evaluations may add additional facts and data and append them to this form.

Teacher Survey Student Evaluation Questions (This is a short version of the teacher survey, with only the required GPRA measures.) You should include this in your local evaluation.

Teacher Survey (38.61 KB) .pdf (required for all local evaluations)

Professional Development Support

Iowa requires that no less than 5% be spent on professional development. This is monitored by the SEA (Items 6G and 6H) on the On-Site Monitoring Form. In response to numerous visits, a template was created to assist grantees with their Professional Development plans.

The Iowa Afterschool Alliance visits all new grantees to assist them with staff development needs and will assist in developing a professional development plan. The IAA will contact new grantees and arrange a suitable date for their Best Practice visit.

21CCLC PD Activity Report (29.5 KB) .xlsx (a PD plan is required for grantees)

Children with Disabilities and 21st CCLC Programming

Iowa 21 CCLC and Children with Disabilities Guidance (171.03 KB) .pdf - Explains the responsibilities for providing children with disabilities with an equal opportunity for participation in 21st Century Community Learning Centers programming and other before-school and after-school programs operated by school districts.

Activities of Before- and After-School Programs

Each eligible organization that receives an award may use the funds to carry out a broad array of before- and after-school activities (or activities during other times when school is not in session) that advance student achievement.

• Remedial education activities and academic enrichment learning programs, including providing additional assistance to students to allow them to improve their academic achievement
• Literacy activities
• Tutoring services (including those provided by senior citizen volunteers) and mentoring programs; to reduce achievement gaps for at-risk children
• Programs that provide after-school activities for limited English proficient students that emphasize language skills and academic achievement
• Mathematics and science education activities
• Arts and music and cultural education activities
• Entrepreneurial education programs, Employment preparation or training
• Physical Fitness, Nutritional Education and Recreational Activities
• Drug and violence prevention programs. Counseling, character and behavior education
• Youth leadership and character-building activities
• Volunteer and community service opportunities
• College awareness and preparation
• Homework assistance centers
• Mentoring and service-learning projects
• Activities linked to law enforcement
• Supervised field trips, recreation and enrichment programs and events

Grant Program and Awards

Cohorts VII-XX: Iowa provides a 5-year grant. In years 4 and 5, funding is reduced by 25%, and we hold a sustainability meeting as part of the Comprehensive Site visit by the Iowa Department of Education.

Cohorts I-VI: Entities eligible to receive Iowa’s grant funds for a period of five (5) years have been expanded to include local educational agencies (LEAs), cities, counties, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), non-profit organizations (NPOs), or a consortium of two or more such agencies, organizations or entities. Applicants are required to plan their programs through a collaborative process that includes parents, youth, and representatives of participating schools or local educational agencies, governmental agencies (e.g., cities, counties, parks and recreation departments), community organizations, and the private sector.

Grant Award - Cohort XXI 2026-2031 (353.22 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XX 2025-2030 (264.04 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XIX 2024-2029 (218.08 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XVIII 2023-2028 (227.52 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XVII 2022-2027 (209.23 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XVI 2021-2026 (184.62 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XV 2020-2025 (141.99 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XIV 2019-2023 (182.86 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XIII 2018-2022 (104.82 KB) .pdf

Grant Award - Cohort XII 2017-2019 (233.15 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort XI 2016-2019 (232.46 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort X 2015-2018 (191.09 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort IX 2014-2017 (114.75 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort VIII 2013-2016 (372.65 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort VII 2012-2015 (249.35 KB) Archived .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort VI 2010-2015 (61.56 KB) Archived .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort V 2009-2014 (140.18 KB) .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort IV 2008-2013 (7.63 KB) Archived .pdf

Grant Awards - Cohort III 2007-2012 (7.17 KB) Archived .pdf

State Evaluation

Every year, 21st CCLC grantees are required to submit basic information about the characteristics associated with their programs and the outcomes they achieved as a result of providing services to students and adult family members attending their programs. This data includes activities, attendance, partners/subcontractors, staffing, and the math and reading proficiency levels of regular attendees. This data is collected by the Iowa Department of Education, submitted to a federal data collection system and publicly posted on the program website.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2012 (2.9 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, surveys, and PPICS.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2013 (1.64 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, surveys, and PPICS.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2014 (2.56 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, surveys, and PPICS.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2015 (1.83 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2016 (4.41 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2017 (6.54 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2018 (6.52 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2019 (6.52 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2020 (4.39 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2021 (6.78 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2022 (9.21 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Iowa Afterschool Report 2023 (6.41 MB) .pdf - Evaluation data from grantees, site visits, and the federal APR data system.

Afterschool Resources

The Wallace Foundation

Afterschool Alliance

Iowa Afterschool Alliance

SEDL National Center for Quality Afterschool

American Institutes for Research - Building Quality in Afterschool

US Dept. of Education - Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation - Advancing Afterschool

Iowa Kids Count