Updated July 21st, 2025:
21st Century Funding Update -
We want to thank each and every one of you who supported us in this worrying time, and those who continue to support our mission & youth!
A message from Missy Dugan | Senior Vice President, Government Relations | Boys & Girls Clubs of America
"Dear Club Leaders,
First and foremost, thank you. Your incredible outreach made a real and measurable difference.
We’re pleased to share that we understand the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) funds for FY25 will be released to the states in the coming days— thanks to your tireless advocacy and engagement. As always, funds are distributed at the discretion of your State, so we recommend you contact your State Program Officer for more details on next steps.
Across the Movement, Clubs stepped up in powerful ways—sending emails, making phone calls, sharing stories, and rallying your communities to take action. In a matter of weeks, you galvanized supporters and activated your communities—driving over 23,000 emails and more than 3,200 calls to members of Congress. We’ve seen the impact – dozens of Members of Congress are writing to the Office of Management and Budget, making calls, holding press conferences, visiting Clubs, and checking in to see what they can do to help.
You made our collective voices heard – with powerful stories of impact, capturing widespread media attention through more than 700 local and 15 national media stories including NBC, ABC, CBS, Newsweek, Axios, and the Associated Press in only 18 days—driving public awareness and the nature of urgency on decision-makers in Washington.
It’s both inspiring and deeply gratifying to see what we, as an unstoppable Movement, can accomplish together.
While this challenge is behind us, our work continues as we continue to advocate for funds. However, this moment is a powerful reminder that when Clubs speak up, policymakers listen. We must stay ready and united to protect the programs and funding our youth and families count on.
We’ll continue to keep you informed about any further developments or next steps. For now, please take a moment to reflect on—and celebrate—the real impact of your advocacy. Thanks to you, hundreds of thousands of young people will continue to access the afterschool and summer support they deserve.
With gratitude,"
Parents, Families, & BGC Supporters,
Afterschool and summer learning programs are cornerstones of academic success, public safety, and family stability for millions of young people — but right now, we stand at a dangerous tipping point.
The Department of Education's recent decision to withhold 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) funds — despite Congressional approval for FY25 — threatens to unravel a decades-long, bipartisan investment in youth development. For over 20 years, 21st CCLC have helped kids succeed — and the results are clear. Students show better attendance, stronger engagement, and improved academic outcomes, with 70% completing more homework and nearly half overcoming chronic absenteeism.
We're deeply grateful for this funding that helps young people achieve real results — all while providing safe, supportive environments staffed by caring professionals, so parents and caregivers can work with confidence. The impact goes beyond kids: for every $1 invested in Boys & Girls Clubs, communities see an average return of $10.
Just like any organization, Boys & Girls Clubs depend on financial commitments to operate — to recruit talent, deliver services, and meet the needs of families they serve daily. If these funds are blocked, the fallout will be swift and devastating: up to 926 Boys & Girls Clubs could be forced to shut their doors, and more than 220,000 kids — many of them in underserved communities — will lose access to essential supports like healthy meals, caring mentors, and safe spaces during the most vulnerable hours of the day - this includes 10 local sites and more than 2,000 youth served in Killeen Boys & Girls Clubs. It could also mean the loss of 5,900 jobs at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country.
This funding supports the families of hardworking Americans who count on these services. Club sites and camps could shutter mid-season — upending care for working parents and leaving kids without critical safety nets.
Every moment of delay puts more kids at risk. This isn't a partisan issue — it's about putting kids first.
Join us to ask your elected officials to act swiftly and release the funds that families are already counting on. America's future depends on how we show up for its kids — especially right now.
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Thank you for your support!