— UPDATED–
Nearly four years after the first school shutdowns were prompted by COVID-19, Georgia students are still recovering from pandemic-induced learning loss. In 2022, Georgia students were still an average of 12 weeks (about 3 months) behind in learning, which equates to about one-third of the school year1 and ongoing research suggests these gaps in learning remain significant2. This learning loss comes with lifelong consequences; it is estimated that students in Georgia will have nearly six percent lower lifetime earnings.3 To address these learning disparities, we must focus on a whole-child approach to support their academic, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
The Georgia legislature has allocated state funds to the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services to reduce learning loss for the state of Georgia. Among various strategies to utilizing the funds, United Way of Greater Atlanta (United Way) and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (Georgia DFCS) have chosen to strategically focus on reducing learning loss by implementing a statewide competitive grant process for a third year. The 2024 Learning Loss grant program will provide grants of up to $50,000 to support community-based organizations in Georgia who are reducing learning loss through building reading skills, improving math proficiency, supporting school transition, strengthening family engagement, supporting learning acceleration, increasing access to quality out of school time and contextualizing learning.
For prospective applicants
2024 applications now closed. Check back for future opportunities.
