21st CCLC ACE Grants: A Guide to Eligibility, Funding, and Success

Funding windows for 21st CCLC ACE grants are open in several states. If you’re working to expand quality afterschool and summer learning, we know it can feel urgent and overwhelming. We’re here to help carry the load, including planning, writing, and managing competitive proposals with no upfront cost. Our contingency-based model means you only pay if you win.

We focus on equity and safety technology because students, families, and staff deserve programs that are safe, inclusive, and effective. We support schools and nonprofits nationwide and are preparing to serve partners internationally.

If you need a partner who handles both pre-award and post-award work with care, we’ll meet you where you are and stay with you every step of the way.

21st CCLC ACE Grants: A Quick Look

Program Purpose And Student Outcomes

Students and families deserve safe, welcoming places after school—spaces that feel steady, caring, and engaging. 21st CCLC ACE grants support high-quality out-of-school time programming that helps students grow academically, stay on track for graduation, and strengthen social-emotional skills. Strong programs offer homework help, tutoring, enrichment, college and career exposure, and meaningful family engagement. They also support wellness, safety, and equitable access to technology. We listen first, then align every plan to clear, measurable outcomes that reflect your community’s needs and state guidance.

How Federal Funds Flow To States And Local Grantees

The funding pathway can feel complex. Federal dollars go to state education agencies, which run statewide competitions. Eligible local applicants submit proposals; states review, score, and award funds based on published criteria. Local grantees then operate sites, report data, and meet compliance requirements. We walk alongside you through each step, simplifying the process, reducing stress, and shaping a plan that honors federal intent and fits your local context.

ACE In Texas: How It Relates To 21st CCLC

ACE is Texas’s version of 21st CCLC. The goals are the same, essentially, including strong academics, meaningful family engagement, and safe, caring learning spaces. Many priorities and reporting expectations mirror federal guidance. We tailor proposals to Texas-specific requirements while keeping them practical for your campuses, supportive of staff capacity, and responsive to families’ realities.

Eligible Applicants And Service Populations

Typical eligible applicants include school districts, charter schools, regional service centers, local governments, higher education partners, and nonprofits serving school-aged youth. Programs prioritize students attending high-need schools and their families. We center equity so young people experiencing poverty, language barriers, disability, and other systemic hurdles can access high-value learning, belonging, and support.

Eligibility, Priorities, And Allowable Activities

Competitive Priorities And Scoring Considerations

States publish priorities in each RFP. Common priorities include serving high need schools, addressing academic recovery, integrating social emotional learning, improving attendance, and building strong partnerships. Reviewers look for a clear needs assessment, evidence based strategies, realistic schedules, and a plan for staffing, safety, and data use. We map each narrative prompt to scoring criteria so no points are left on the table.

Allowable Activities And Unallowable Costs

Allowable activities often include tutoring, assignments help, credit recovery, STEM and arts enrichment, college and career readiness, family workshops, mental health supports, and transportation. Unallowable costs may include capital purchases, entertainment, and expenses outside the program scope or dates. We build activity menus that match your goals and align with state rules.

Award Sizes, Duration, And Program Hours

States define typical award ranges, project periods, and program hour targets in each competition. Programs often run before school, afterschool, weekends, and summer. Success depends on a schedule that students can attend and staff can sustain. Develop calendars that align to bell times, testing windows, and community needs.

Required Partnerships, MOUs, And Site Readiness

Strong applications include a school district lead and partners such as youth agencies, higher education, libraries, and mental health providers. States may require MOUs that define roles, data sharing, and communication. Site readiness includes space, safety procedures, technology access, and family outreach systems. Draft MOUs and gather letters so your package is complete and credible.

Finding RFPs And Navigating The Timeline

You want to make a difference, and the right opportunity is within reach. Watch your state channels and trusted grant portals, and let timely alerts guide your next step. Early signals often appear before the full release, so stay open, curious, and ready. Share your intent, complete simple registrations, and connect with partners who believe in your vision. We track the landscape for you, keeping a clear calendar and nudging you when doors open, so you can move with calm confidence.

Hold space for the milestones that matter. Note when interest is due, when guidance is offered, and when the final package must be sent. Show up to learn, jot what resonates, and translate clarity into action. Build a gentle, backward plan that respects your team’s pace and protects review time. We steward the timeline so your voice is polished, your numbers align, and your submission lands early without last minute stress.

Gather core materials early and let simplicity lead the way with assurance.

Crafting A Competitive Proposal

Needs Assessment And Data Story

Begin with clear student and family needs. Use current school data, attendance patterns, and community input. Explain gaps in academics, access to enrichment, mental health supports, and family services. State how your program will reach students who are least served today. Keep the data story simple and direct.

Evidence-Based Program Design And Schedules

Select strategies with strong research support. Examples include small group tutoring, high dosage math and reading practice, project based STEM, and structured SEL lessons. Build a daily schedule that pairs academics with enrichment and wellness. Match time on task to your outcome targets. We align all elements with state guidance and evidence tiers where required.

Staffing, Partnerships, And Safety Plans

Define roles for site coordinators, certified teachers, tutors, counselors, and community partners. Include training, supervision, and background checks. Describe student release procedures, visitor policies, incident response, and transportation safety. Strong staffing and safety plans build reviewer confidence and community trust.

Family Engagement, Equity, And Accessibility

Plan regular family workshops, two way communication, and resource referrals. Address language access, ADA needs, and cultural relevance. Remove barriers such as cost and transportation when possible. Equity is our core. We center students most affected by poverty and systemic barriers.

Evaluation Plan, Logic Model, And Measurable Outcomes

Create a logic model that links needs, inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Define clear measures for academics, SEL, attendance, and family engagement. Set targets and describe data collection tools and timelines. Explain how you will use data for improvement across the year. We provide evaluation and reporting support so your plan stays on track.

Budgeting, Compliance, And Grant Management

You’re building more than a budget. You’re essentially shaping a promise to students and families. We align resources to purpose, connect dollars to outcomes, and keep the story clear and compelling. Your plan deserves clarity, confidence, and care, so every line reflects intention, impact, and a shared commitment to what matters most.

When partners rally around students, support becomes powerful. We help you welcome match and in‑kind contributions with grace, naming what each partner brings and how it lifts the work. Fair, simple approaches keep everyone aligned, valued, and seen—so collaboration feels doable, transparent, and grounded in trust rather than complexity. Together.

Data should humanize, not overwhelm. We help you see every student, notice growth, and share timely updates that feel meaningful. Monitoring becomes a chance to celebrate strengths and learn together, not a burden. With caring preparation and steady guidance, you walk into reviews confident, organized, and ready to speak to impact.

Sustainability is about people, promise, and pace. We help you plant seeds for the long term, braid support thoughtfully, and build roles that endure. When a cycle ends, you close with grace—services finished, lessons captured, momentum intact—so the next chapter begins with clarity, gratitude, and renewed hope for students and communities.

Conclusion

21st CCLC ACE grants give communities a path to stronger afterschool and summer learning. We bring a contingency based model with no upfront cost which makes expert support accessible for underfunded organizations. Our team values equity, safety, SEL, and educational technology. We are active across many states and growing. If you want a proven partner for writing, budgeting, compliance, evaluation, and training, we are ready to help.

Explore our services at ERI Grants Services. Learn more about our mission and history at About ERI. Meet the leaders who guide our work at Our Team. Let us help you compete and win with a clear plan for 21st CCLC ACE grants.

Frequently Asked Questions about 21st CCLC ACE Grants

What are 21st CCLC ACE grants and what outcomes do they fund?

21st CCLC ACE grants support safe, high-quality out-of-school time programs that boost academics, graduation readiness, and social-emotional learning. Strong programs offer tutoring, homework help, enrichment, college and career exposure, family engagement, wellness, and tech access. Plans should include measurable outcomes aligned to state guidance and reporting requirements.

Who is eligible to apply and which students can be served?

Eligible applicants typically include school districts, charter schools, education service centers, local governments, higher education partners, and nonprofits serving school-aged youth. Programs prioritize students attending high-need schools and their families. Equity-focused designs help students experiencing poverty or systemic barriers access high-value learning, wellness supports, and family resources.

What activities are allowable and what costs are unallowable under 21st CCLC ACE grants?

Allowable activities for 21st CCLC ACE grants often include tutoring, credit recovery, STEM and arts enrichment, SEL, college and career readiness, family workshops, mental health supports, and transportation. Common unallowable costs include capital purchases, entertainment, and expenses outside program scope or dates. Align your activity menu tightly with stated goals and rules.

How do I find RFPs and manage key dates for 21st CCLC ACE grants?

Monitor your state education agency website, grants portals, and email bulletins for forecasts and RFPs. Track intent-to-apply, TA webinars, Q&A periods, and final deadlines. Build a backward timeline for drafts, budgets, approvals, and uploads. Start gathering data, MOUs, resumes, safety plans, and quotes early to reduce last-minute risks.

Do 21st CCLC ACE grants allow indirect costs or require a match?

Indirect costs are often allowable using the applicant’s approved rate or a state cap, but some RFPs restrict or disallow them. Always check your state’s guidance. Match requirements vary by state; some encourage or require cash or in-kind support (e.g., facilities, staff time). Document calculations and align with cost allocation rules.