Youth Engagement Zones

The goal for the Youth Engagement Zone initiative is to improve student engagement, including student attendance and behavior, and student achievement, graduate rates and college-going rates by: 1. Engaging youth as positive contributors through service-learning to demonstrate the relevance of academic coursework and the value of civic engagement to their educational and personal development; and 2. Connecting with citizens from diverse communities, backgrounds and perspectives to provide expanded opportunities to serve; and 3. Building enduring capacity within communities to become more effective at using service as a solution to address pressing challenges.

Eligible partnerships must include: 1. one or more community-based entities with demonstrated records of success in service-learning programs with economically disadvantaged students, 2. a local educational agency serving a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (a free and reduced-price lunch eligibility rate of 70% or more) and where the graduation rate is less than 70%; 3. a community college with existing connections to the LEA and/or youth serving organizations; and 4. a geographic area where less than 30% of the secondary students are already engaged in service-learning. Approximately $5.7 million for an estimated 5 to 7 grant awards that will range from approximately $700,000 to $1,500,000 per year for three years.

Link to Full Announcement

Competition page including full Notice of Funding Opportunity