Wilmot School District Awarded $942,527 Grant to Expand After-School Program

Northeast Radio SD News – Wilmot, SD - The Wilmot School District is set to receive a major boost to its educational resources, securing $942,527 for the Wilmot After School Program Expansion.

The local funding comes as part of a broader June 26, 2026 announcement from the South Dakota Department of Education, which awarded a total of over $9 million to eleven out-of-school time (OST) programs across the state. The awards were distributed through the federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) grant.

These 21CCLC grants provide resources for programs to establish and expand activities within the community. The primary focus of these funded activities is on improving academic achievement and providing meaningful family engagement opportunities outside of the regular school day.

“Out-of-school time programs positively impact students, families, educators, and communities,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Dr. Joseph Graves. “These programs expand beyond the classroom to support students’ learning and provide families an opportunity to further enhance their child’s education.”

The 21CCLC grant is a competitive biennial award that provides funding ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 per year over a four-year period. Eligible organizations for this funding include school districts, community-based organizations, non-profit entities, for-profit entities, local governments, institutions of higher education, public or private organizations, BIE/tribal schools, and religious organizations.

Statewide 21CCLC Grant Recipients

Wilmot’s successful bid makes it one of eleven programs selected statewide for this funding cycle. The full list of OST programs awarded funding by the South Dakota Department of Education includes:

·        Black Hills Special Services Cooperative - Philip Elementary School Promoting Achievement and Wonder with Scotties (PAWS): $983,198

·        Black Hills Special Services Cooperative - South Middle School Club Hub and Club Five: $1,199,000

·        Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud - Learning By Doing: Building Literacy and Math Skills Through Real World Experiences: $1,086,413

·        Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains - BGCMC/FIS (Moody County/Flandreau Indian School): $1,092,037

·        Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plains - BGCB (Brookings): $1,078,240

·        McIntosh School District - McIntosh 21 Century Project: $320,388

·        Sioux Falls School District - Middle School Academic Enrichment: $1,195,321

·        Viborg-Hurley School District - 21CCLC: $370,000

·        Volunteers of America - VOA Dakotas 21st Century at Lowell: $767,473

·        Wilmot School District - Wilmot After School Program Expansion: $942,527

·        YMCA Rapid City (Black Hills) - Robbinsdale/Wilson Kidstop OSTs: $745,809

The 21CCLC program is federally authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. For more information on 21CCLC, visit doe.sd.gov/21CCLC/index.aspx. 

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