Kid Spark Education applauds the Administration’s decision to release funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program to state education agencies. This action ensures that afterschool and summer learning programs can continue to support students and families across the country.
The 21st CCLC program is the primary federal funding source for local afterschool and summer initiatives, supporting more than 10,000 community-based programs and reaching nearly 1.4 million children nationwide. These programs provide academic enrichment opportunities—including hands-on STEM learning—outside of school hours to students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools.
The announcement follows a nationwide show of support from families, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders who advocated for the continuation of this vital funding. In a statement, the 21st CCLC expressed gratitude, saying, “We are extremely grateful to everyone who spoke out, including our grasstops allies who made personal calls to policymakers to urge them to release the funds.”
Although the release of funds is a major step forward, there is concern over the Administration’s FY2026 budget proposal, which eliminates standalone funding for 21st CCLC in favor of a “K-12 Simplified Funding Plan” that would reduce support for these vital programs. Without continued federal investment, more students will miss out on opportunities to build the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in the workforce.
“Programs like 21st CCLC play a huge role in helping underserved communities offer meaningful learning experiences beyond the school day,” said Ryan Neden, Executive Director, Kid Spark Education. “When funding like this is at risk, so are the opportunities it makes possible. We’re glad to see it restored and hope more communities will use it to bring high-quality STEM learning to students who need it most.”
At Kid Spark Education, we believe that every child deserves access to transformative STEM learning experiences—during the school day, after school, and throughout the summer. The release of these funds reaffirms the importance of investing in programs that meet learners where they are and help them build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
As a part of our commitment to working alongside educators and community organizations to ensure students everywhere benefit from high-quality, hands-on STEM education, Kid Spark is focused on removing barriers to access. We work to highlight federal funding opportunities, partner with foundations to offer our programs at no cost, and create tools that help schools and informal learning providers bring STEM to their communities. That includes our STEM Grant Initiative (which helps reduce program costs), our upcoming community fundraising tool, and a grant writing guide to support schools in applying for their own funding.
Want to bring hands-on STEM learning to your school or afterschool program?
Join our waitlist to get early access to Kid Spark’s upcoming crowdfunding platform.
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About Kid Spark Education
Kid Spark Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to help all children learn and love STEM.
We believe every child—no matter their background—deserves access to hands-on, high-quality STEM education starting in the earliest grades. When kids experience STEM early, they begin to see themselves as thinkers, problem-solvers, and inventors. That kind of confidence can shape the path they take for the rest of their lives.
For Partnerships, Program Information, or Funding Inquiries:
Ryan Neden, Executive Director
Kid Spark Education
ryann@kidsparkeducation.org