United Way of Greater Atlanta is requesting proposals from organizations throughout the state of Georgia serving school-aged children throughout Georgia addressing learning loss.
Review RFP >>
United Way of Greater Atlanta and Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) collaborate to strengthen academic support by reducing learning loss throughout the state of Georgia.
Learning loss refers to any specific or general loss of knowledge and skills or to reversals in academic progress, most commonly due to extended gaps or discontinuities in a student’s education.
Through the strategy of Academic Support, grant funding will support programming that incorporates at least one of the following:
- Build Reading Skills – Expand literacy-focused after-school and summer enrichment programs designed to increase reading skills and close the literacy achievement gap.
- Improve Math Proficiency – Support continuous learning, problem-solving and practice in math; utilize engaging and hands-on methods of experiencing math, science and technology.
- School Transition – Prepare students, families, schools, and communities to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and relationships to assist young people in successfully moving from one grade level to another. And also to assist them in transitioning from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school to post-secondary education.
- Strengthen Family Engagement – Foster parents’ natural leadership as their child’s first teacher, brain builder, advocate, and coach.
- Learning Acceleration – Strategically prepare students for success in the present— (i.e., this week, on this content) rather than concentrating on a list of items that students have failed to master. Past concepts and skills are addressed, but always in the purposeful context of future learning. Acceleration jump-starts underperforming students into learning new concepts before their classmates even begin. Rather than being stuck in the remedial slow lane, students move ahead of everyone into the fast lane of learning.
- Access to Quality Out of School Time – Offer high-quality after-school and summer learning programs that: help close educational and opportunity gaps, support the positive development of the whole child and offer key strategies to improving child well-being.
- Contextualizing Learning – Teach students the content in a context (i.e., embedding the concepts in meaningful activities and in a scenario to which the student can relate) to enhance their understanding and make the concepts more relatable.
Preference given to organizations that:
- Are not currently receiving DFCS Out of School Services Funds (formerly known as DFCS Afterschool Care Program).
- Have not received state or federal funds to support learning loss or additional educational and enrichment opportunities.
- Are reducing learning loss by working to build reading skills and expand math proficiency.
- Implement youth educational programs in Georgia DFCS Regions: 2, 8, 9, 10 and/or 11, or Clayton County.
- Promote two-generation outcomes – Strategies that promote the well-being of children and their families through coordinated services and opportunities that work synergistically to improve the circumstances of the entire family
- Secure basic needs – Strategies that ensure children and their families have the food, shelter, transportation, and technology – all of which are fundamental to achieving educational outcomes, healthy lives, and reaching economic stability
More about the Learning Loss application:
- The grant period is May 2024 – May 2025. Grants will be awarded to organizations who provide programming and support services to reduce learning loss for Georgia’s youth.
- The grant award will be up to $50K per organization. We anticipate the awarding of 50-60 organizations.
- Grant applicant orientation sessions will be held on December 6, 2023 at 2-3:30 p.m. and December 7, 2023 11am-12:30 p.m.
- Applications open December 11, 2023
- Details about the Learning Loss award can be found in the RFP.
How to Apply
- Submit a registration via United Way’s Grant Portal – FLUXX by January 11, 2024 to gain access to the application.
- Submit a complete a grant application and required questions on the organizational profile via United Way’s Grant Portal – FLUXX, by January 18, 2024.
Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance.
Questions? Contact us.
Minimum Requirements
Community-based organizations across the state of Georgia with academic remediation, learning acceleration or learning loss programs that have been in place for at least 12 months must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Be a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) number, a nonprofit organization with a fiscal agent who has 501(c)(3), or a state or local government agency. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply only if the program is open to all children and not just those who are of a particular faith, enrolled in a particular school or members of the applicant organization.
- If nonprofit, be registered and in good standing with the Georgia Secretary of State as a nonprofit (click here to verify: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch).
- If nonprofit, have an independent governing body consisting of at least four voting members who are resident volunteers, that has the authority to decide policy and strategic direction with respect to the agency’s programs, administration and finances, in accordance with the organization’s By-Laws, and who shall meet at least four times per year. Paid staff must not be voting members of the Board.
- Maintain a non-discrimination policy or plan that does not discriminate on the basis of race, cultural heritage, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or status as a qualified disabled or handicapped individual.
- Demonstrate strong financial management – All financial statements must show evidence of accounting principles in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP) and include full disclosures and appropriate notes for such things as leases, loans, investments and affiliated party transactions.
Eligible Participants
If awarded a Learning Loss grant, organizations MUST acquire a completed and signed DFCS Youth Participation Eligibility Form with supporting documentation and verify eligibility for each youth benefiting from Learning Loss grant funding. These forms must be stored by the grant recipient for seven years. Forms will be collected in the event of a DFCS audit or a quality review by United Way of Greater Atlanta. Youth participating in the organization’s Learning Loss funded program must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant;
- Be a Georgia resident;
- Currently receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or have a household income 300% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL);
- Be 5 – 17 years old or be 18 years old and currently enrolled in school (high school, GED program or equivalent, or post-secondary institution) and will be enrolled in AND attend school during the upcoming academic year (verification of school enrollment includes a letter from the school on official school letterhead) or be 18 – 19 years old and have a dependent child AND be the custodial parent.
