21ST century community learning centers program

The Minnesota Department of Education received a $13.6M formula grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program (CFDA 84.287), effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The award supports the establishment and expansion of community learning centers that provide out-of-school time academic enrichment and developmental services to school-aged children, particularly those attending high-poverty and low-performing schools.

Through this funding, Minnesota will deliver comprehensive programming including tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring, academic enrichment, and extracurricular activities in arts, music, sports, and cultural areas. As the state educational agency recipient, the Minnesota Department of Education serves as the primary pass-through entity, distributing funds via sub-awards to local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based entities throughout Minnesota for direct program implementation. These services supplement in-school instruction and support student academic achievement and overall development for school-aged children and their families.