How much funding is available through 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B)?

California receives approximately $140 million annually. National funding totals $1.3 billion. Individual sub-grant awards vary but can range from tens of thousands to over one million dollars depending on program size and scope.

How can Forward Education help with 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B) funding?

Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for California schools applying to 21st CCLC sub-grants. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes this program funds. Contact us before submitting your application.

California · Federal Formula Grant

21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B)

Q: How do schools apply for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B) in California?

This is a formula grant — federal funds flow to California's state education agency, which runs competitive sub-grants. You apply to the California Department of Education sub-grant process, not directly to the federal government. Check the CDE website for the current sub-grant cycle and deadlines.

Funding

~$140M annually to California; $1.3B nationally

Grade Focus

K–12 (after-school focus)

Application Due

Formula grant — check CDE for local sub-grant deadlines

Level of Gov't

Federal

Eligibility

K–12 schools and community organizations running before- and after-school enrichment programs
Programs must serve students attending low-income schools or schools that have faced adequate yearly progress challenges
California receives its share through a federal formula allocation; the state then runs competitive sub-grants to local education agencies
Summer learning programs also qualify

Read the official grant program page →

Program Goals

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is designed to:

Provide academic enrichment that helps students meet state academic standards in core subjects
Offer STEM and technology education through hands-on, project-based programs
Support family literacy and engagement activities alongside student programs
Expand access to quality after-school programming in high-need communities

Application and Distribution

Title IV-B is a formula grant — federal funds flow to state education agencies, which then run competitive sub-grant processes. In California, the California Department of Education manages the sub-grant competition. Check the CDE website for the current California sub-grant cycle and deadlines.

Grant Award Amount

California receives approximately $140 million annually from the federal government through the Title IV-B formula. National funding totals $1.3 billion. Individual sub-grant awards to local programs vary but can range from tens of thousands to over a million dollars depending on program size and scope.

Allowable Purchases

Forward Education Products for This Grant

These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.

micro:bit STEM Kits (Smart Solar Energy, Climate Action, Smart Hydroponics) — purpose-built for after-school enrichment. Students build, code, and collect real sensor data, exactly what 21st CCLC programs are funded to provide.
Coding for Good Kit — introduces block and text-based coding through community-impact projects. Aligns directly with the program's goal of combining academic enrichment with real-world application.
Coding for Climate Kit — ties environmental science and STEM together, a natural fit for California programs with climate and sustainability goals.
MicroChat (AI literacy platform) — builds foundational AI literacy skills in an after-school format, covering responsible use, critical thinking, and practical AI tools.

Keep in Mind

This is a sub-grant, not a direct federal application

You apply to California's sub-grant process, not directly to the federal government. Watch CDE's funding announcements and subscribe to their mailing list.

Programs must document community need

Applications need data showing the population served is eligible — typically Title I school attendance or documented low-income metrics.

Robotics and STEM kits are explicitly allowable

The statute names robotics, STEM, and engineering kits. Forward Education products are a natural budget line — you're not stretching the intent of the grant.

Multi-year grants are common

21st CCLC sub-grants in California are often awarded as 3–5 year grants, giving programs time to build and sustain curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B) in California?

K–12 schools and community organizations running before- and after-school enrichment programs. Programs must serve students at low-income schools. California distributes federal formula funds through a competitive sub-grant process managed by the California Department of Education. Summer learning programs also qualify.

How much funding is available through Title IV-B?

California receives approximately $140 million annually. National funding totals $1.3 billion. Individual sub-grant awards vary but can reach over a million dollars for larger programs.

Can Title IV-B funds be used for STEM and coding tools?

Yes. The statute explicitly names robotics, STEM, and engineering kits. Funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when aligned to program goals. Document that alignment before purchasing.

How do schools apply in California?

This is a formula grant — you apply to the California Department of Education sub-grant process, not directly to the federal government. Check the CDE website for the current cycle and deadlines.

How can Forward Education help with my Title IV-B application?

Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for California schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes this program funds. Contact us before submitting your application.

Grant Support

Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?

Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.

Curriculum alignment documents — TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines

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