Learning Loss Grant Opportunity

United Way and Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (Georgia DFCS) collaborate to strengthen academic support by reducing learning loss across the state of Georgia.

Current Funding Opportunity

United Way of Greater Atlanta is requesting proposals from organizations serving school-aged children throughout Georgia addressing learning loss.

2023 Learning Loss Grants (Strengthening Academic Support: Direct Service Approach) 

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. Learn more about Learning Loss.

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 Fluency – Support continuous learning and practice in math, more engaging and hands-on method of experiencing math
  • 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.
  • Strengthen Family Engagement – Foster the natural leadership that parents have as their child’s first teacher, brain builder, advocate and coach.
  • Learning Acceleration – Strategically prepares students for success in the present—this week, on this content. Rather than concentrating on a list of items that students have failed to master, acceleration readies students for new learning. 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 – High quality afterschool and summer learning programs can close educational and opportunity gaps, support the positive development of the whole child, and can be a key strategy to improving child well-being.

Priority given to organizations that do the following:

  • Promote Two-Generation Outcomes – meaning 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
  • Support Basic Needs - Ensure children and their families have the food, shelter, transportation, and technology that are fundamental to achieving improved educational outcomes, healthy lives and to reaching economic stability
  • Serve in DFCS regions *2, 8, 9, 10, 11

Award Information

Learn more about the Learning Loss application:

  • The grant period is January 2023 – December 2023. 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 awarding 50-60 organizations.   
  • Grant applicant orientation sessions were held on October 4 and 5. View the presentation and recording by clicking here.
  • Applications open October 3, 2022
  • Deadline to apply is October 28, 2022
  • Details about the Learning Loss award can be found in the RFP
  • View the FAQs

Questions? Contact learningloss@unitedwayatlanta.org  

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.
  • 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 a voting member 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.
  • If awarded a Learning Loss grant, organizations MUST acquire completed and signed DFCS Youth Participation Eligibility Form and verification of eligibility for all youth benefiting from Learning Loss grant funding. These forms must be stored by the grant recipient for seven years. Youth participating within the organization’s Learning Loss funded program and must meet the following requirements:
    1. Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant;
    2. Be a Georgia resident;
    3. 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 400% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL);
    4. 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. 

Read more about the grant requirements in the RFP.