21st CCLC & Beyond: The Future of Afterschool Funding and How to Stay Ahead

For more than two decades, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program has provided essential support for afterschool and summer learning programs across the country. At MindWorks Resources, we’re proud to serve hundreds of sites operating with 21st CCLC grants—building academic skills, boosting attendance, and engaging families with meaningful enrichment.

But what happens if that funding changes?

As we look to the future, it’s clear that afterschool programs must be prepared for shifts in how they’re funded. Whether 21st CCLC is restructured, reduced, or replaced, MindWorks is here to help programs stay successful, sustainable, and impactful—no matter the funding source.

🚦The Uncertain Road Ahead

21st CCLC has long set the bar for outcomes-based enrichment, but funding trends are shifting. States are exploring blended models, local districts are expanding OST budgets, and private funders are stepping in to support innovation. In this new landscape, programs need tools that are:

• Flexible enough to align with different priorities

• Evidence-informed to justify support across sectors

• Engaging and inclusive to meet student and community needs

That’s where MindWorks comes in.

🧭 What Comes After 21st CCLC?

Even without federal grants, the core goals of afterschool programs remain the same:

• Keep students safe

• Support academic growth

• Improve daily attendance

• Connect learning to life

• Strengthen family engagement

Our curriculum and approach are built around these enduring needs. That’s why school districts, nonprofits, and private OST providers choose MindWorks—not just for compliance, but for long-term success.

We help programs thrive by supporting:

• Attendance incentives with high-interest themes

• Real-world learning that students talk about at home

• Staff confidence through easy-to-implement guides

• Family engagement extensions tied to classroom content

• Data and documentation that support any funding ask

🔁 Adapting for State and Local Priorities

Many of our partners now blend multiple funding sources—from ESSER and local district funds to PTA support, municipal dollars, and private grants. Whether you're operating under California’s ELOP, New York’s Empire State After-School Program, or pursuing state-supported enrichment in Florida or Alabama, MindWorks is designed to flex with you.

Our curriculum is built to:

• Align with state standards (including TEKS, NGSS, Florida B.E.S.T., and others)

• Reinforce PBL models prioritized by states like Florida

• Support expanded-day programs like California’s ELOP with consistent, grade-band structured content

• Integrate with community partnership models championed in New York and Alabama

• Serve as a bridge between in-school instruction and out-of-school enrichment

• Promote equity, inclusion, and family engagement through accessible activities

• Offer turnkey, staff-friendly implementation across diverse program settings

We’re here to help you align your programming to meet the specific goals of your funding—whether through district initiatives, philanthropic partnerships, or shifting state investments in out-of-school time.

🏆 Your Program. Your Funding. Your Future.

While the funding landscape may change, the mission of afterschool stays the same. And MindWorks will be with you every step of the way—with curriculum, coaching, and custom support that meets your evolving needs.

Looking beyond 21st CCLC? Let’s plan your next chapter together.

📞 Ready to talk funding strategy?
Our team can help you align your program with what’s next—contact us to start the conversation.