Ready to launch Community Schools for children and families in your area? Once you have buy-in from residents and a plan to coordinate services and resources, it will be important to secure funding to start and sustain the future for education in your community. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Funding Sources
Federal
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act Titles I, II, and IV
- 21st Century Community Learning Center grants
- Tile IV-A Student Support and Enrichment grants
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Statewide Family Enagement Centers program
- Full-Service Community Schools grants
- Child and Adult Care Food Program
Medicaid - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
- Workforce investment and Opportunities Act
- AmeriCorps
State
- State education funds
- State community school grants
- State after-school grants
- State summer programs
- Public and school-based health funds
- Health and nutrition programs
- Early care and education programs
- College access funds
- Family Resource Centers
Local
- Parks and recreation departments
- Housing authorities
- Juvenile justice and crime prevention programs
- Local education and school district funds
- Library funds
- Local dedicated revenues from cities and counties
Private
- Philanthropy
- Local businesses
- Chambers of Commerce
- Nonprofits and intermediaries
Sustainability means more than fundraising for Community Schools — it means making permanent changes in daily practice and in institutional arrangements, both human and financial resources. Sustained funding and solid partnerships are equally important; they in fact depend on and reinforce one another.
— from Building Community Schools: A Guide for Action
by the National Center for Community Schools
Sustainability
The following research-backed framework was developed The Children’s Aid Society. Consider the following before beginning to develop a sustainability model for schools in your community.
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Vision
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Results Orientation
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Strategic Financial Partners
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Adaptability to Change
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Broad Base of Support
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Key Champions
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Strong Internal Systems
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Sustainability Plan
Considerations & Resources for Sustainability
The following federal programs can be used to support coordination and build infrastructure for Community Schools. In additional to financial resources, the Corporation for National and Community Service has a variety of programs that can provide volunteer and affordable staffing to support providing resources and services to students and families.
The following federal programs support college readiness, summer and after-school learning, and nutrition.
The following federal programs support physical and mental wellness for children and their families.
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
- Community Based Long Term Services
- Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP)
- Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Food and Nutrition Service for “After School Snacks”
- Summer Food Service Program
- Carol M. White Physical Education Program
- Education for Homeless Children and Youths Grants for State and Local Activities
The following federal programs support high-quality early education to ensure children are high-achieving, life-long learners.
All residents have a role to play to ensure the Community School model transforms educational outcomes. Here are some sources of support to ensure all residents participate in shaping the future of learning in your area.
- Title IV-A of ESEA – Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
- Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Training and Technical Assistance Program
- Community Prevention Grants Program
- Office of Justice Programs
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Promise Neighborhoods
- HOPE VI
- Choice Neighborhoods
- Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
- Youthbuild
- Safe Routes to School Program
- Sustainable Housing and Communities
There are a variety of ways to effectively adopt the Community Schools model. Here are a few additional opportunities and related sources of support.
Fundraising Tools
Funding Data Collection Matrix
Funding Matrix Worksheet
