Grant Opportunities

To ensure equitable distribution and meaningful impact, chapters must meet the following qualifications to apply for the FCCLA Affiliation Support Grants:

Eligibility

• Open to both new and existing FCCLA Chapters.
• Chapters that received an Affiliation Support Grant in the prior academic year are not eligible to apply for two consecutive years.
• The individual applying for the grant on behalf of the chapter must be listed as the chapter's Primary Adviser in the FCCLA Portal (Secondary Advisers are not permitted to submit the application).
  • This requirement ensures that the primary adviser, who is the main point of contact for the chapter, has reached out to the appropriate groups—such as school administration, CTE Coordinator, and state adviser—before applying to confirm whether other funds are available.
  • If the individual submitting the application is not currently listed as the Primary Adviser, they must either update this designation in the FCCLA Portal before submitting the application or have the Primary Adviser complete the application.
• Student members are not permitted to submit a grant application on behalf of their chapter.

Demonstrated Financial Need

• Applicants must clearly demonstrate financial need by describing their chapter's financial circumstances.
• Include an explanation of barriers to securing affiliation dues.
• Outline how the grant will enable student participation in FCCLA programs and activities.
• Explain why external or existing funding sources are insufficient to cover the cost of national affiliation dues.

Affiliation Invoice Requirement

• Submit a copy of the chapter's unpaid national affiliation invoice as proof of the need for funding.
• Paid invoices are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Chapters with already-processed dues will not be considered.

Support Verification

• Confirm whether financial support is available through the following sources:
  • School administration
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator
  • FCCLA state adviser
• If financial support is available, provide an explanation of why additional funding from the FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant is required.

Grant Approval Process and State Affiliation Payment Requirements

• Applications submitted by the 1st of the month will receive notification by the 15th of the same month regarding grant approval.
• If a chapter is approved for a grant, they must pay their state affiliation dues and submit a copy of their affiliation invoice showing a $0 balance for their state affiliation dues by the 15th of the following month.
• Failure to submit proof of payment for state affiliation dues by the deadline will result in the initial grant payment being canceled. This requirement ensures that grant recipients complete their state affiliation dues and achieve full affiliation in a timely manner. Should a chapter fail to meet this requirement, the funds can be redirected to support another chapter in need.
• Chapters are welcome to pay their state affiliation dues while waiting for their grant decision, but they must ensure that payments are made only for their state invoice and not for the national invoice.

Notice: Chapters receiving an FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant must submit an end-of-year report detailing how grant funds were utilized. More information can be found in the “Required Reporting” section.

FCCLA’s Affiliation Support Grants offer four set funding options to cover national affiliation dues only. Chapters are encouraged to carefully review the types below and select the option that best meets their needs while maximizing the impact for their students. The ultimate goal of these grants is to provide as many students as possible with the opportunity to affiliate as FCCLA Members.

National Affiliation ($117 Grant)

• What is Covered:
  • National affiliation dues for 12 student members ($108).
  • National affiliation dues for one (1) chapter adviser ($9).
• What is Not Covered:
  • State affiliation dues. These must be paid by the chapter.
  • National dues for any additional members beyond 12.
    • Additional members may be affiliated at $9 per member, plus their state’s rate per member, with these costs being the responsibility of the chapter.

100% Middle-Level Affiliation ($259 Grant)

• What is Covered:
  • National affiliation dues for all FCS students in grades 9 and below, with a minimum enrollment of 27 students ($250).
  • National affiliation dues for one (1) chapter adviser ($9).
• What is Not Covered:
  • State affiliation dues. These must be paid by the chapter.

Up to 25 Members Package ($395 Grant)

• What is Covered:
  • National affiliation dues for 25 student members.
  • National affiliation dues for all advisers within the chapter (primary chapter advisers only).
  • One (1) Adviser Academy registration.
  • One (1) electronic National Program of choice.
  • One (1) Lifetime Alumni & Associates membership for an individual of choice.
• What is Not Covered:
  • State affiliation dues. These must be paid by the chapter.
  • National dues for any additional members beyond 25.
    • Additional members may be affiliated at $9 per member, plus their state’s rate per member, with these costs being the responsibility of the chapter.
• Utilization Requirement:
  • Chapters awarded this grant must utilize all benefits in the package, including Adviser Academy registration, National Program selection, and Lifetime Alumni & Associates membership.

Unlimited Members Package ($775 Grant)

• What is Covered:
  • National affiliation dues for an unlimited number of student members in the chapter.
  • National affiliation dues for all advisers within the chapter (primary chapter advisers only).
  • One (1) Adviser Academy registration.
  • One (1) electronic National Program of choice.
  • One (1) Lifetime Alumni & Associates membership for an individual of choice.
• What is Not Covered:
  • State affiliation dues. These must be paid by the chapter.
• Utilization Requirement:
  • Chapters awarded this grant must utilize all benefits in the package, including Adviser Academy registration, National Program selection, and Lifetime Alumni & Associates membership.
  • Chapters awarded this grant must affiliate ALL students enrolled in a Family and Consumer Sciences course at the school.

Important Notice Regarding Adviser Academy Registration

Chapters that receive a grant for a package after Adviser Academy registration has closed for the year will not be held responsible for this requirement when submitting their end-of-year report.

Chapters that receive an FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant are required to complete an end-of-year report to ensure accountability and demonstrate the impact of the grant on their chapter and members.

The report form will open on April 1, 2025, and must be completed by May 1, 2025. The link to access the form will be sent directly to the chapter adviser listed on the grant application.

Failure to submit the required report by the deadline will result in the chapter being required to repay the grant funds and may disqualify the chapter from applying for Affiliation Support Grants in future years.

End-of-Year Report Questions

Examples of the questions that will be asked on the form include the following:

• Membership Details
  • Total number of student members affiliated during the school year.
  • Total number of advisers affiliated during the school year.
  • A description of how the chapter utilized its selected affiliation package benefits (if applicable).
• Chapter Activities and Impact
  • A summary of chapter activities conducted during the year.
  • Specific examples of how the grant contributed to member participation in FCCLA programs, events, and leadership opportunities.
  • A description of the overall impact of FCCLA membership on chapter members and their school community.
• Additional Documentation
  • Provide at least three (3) high-quality photos showcasing your chapter's activities or events during the year. These photos should highlight member engagement and the chapter’s use of FCCLA resources.

Important Notes for Report Submission

• Ensure that all responses are accurate and complete.
• Photos must be clear and high-quality to be eligible for inclusion in FCCLA promotional materials.
• Chapters awarded grants after Adviser Academy registration has closed will not be penalized for not utilizing this benefit.

The required reporting ensures that FCCLA can assess the effectiveness of the Affiliation Support Grants and celebrate the successes of its chapters while maintaining accountability for the funds awarded.

Applying for an FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant is a step-by-step process to ensure chapters provide all necessary information for consideration. Follow these steps to complete your application:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your chapter qualifies for the grant.
• Verify that the individual submitting the application is listed as the Primary Adviser in the FCCLA Portal. If not, update the designation in the portal or have the current primary adviser submit the application.

Step 2: Contact Principal, CTE Coordinator, and State Adviser

• Reach out to your school principal, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator, and FCCLA state adviser to confirm whether additional funding is available to cover national affiliation dues.
• This step is essential to ensure that all other funding sources have been explored before submitting your application.

Step 3: Submit Affiliation

• Submit your chapter’s affiliation in the FCCLA Portal and generate the affiliation invoice.
• Important: Do not pay the invoice. Attach the unpaid affiliation invoice to your grant application. Paid invoices are not eligible for reimbursement under this grant.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

• Access the online application form through the FCCLA Portal.
• Provide detailed and accurate responses to all questions, including:
  • Chapter information.
  • Financial need and justification for the grant.
  • Verification of contacts with your principal, CTE Coordinator, and state adviser.
• Upload all required documentation, including your unpaid affiliation invoice.

Step 5: Review and Certify

• Carefully review your application to confirm all responses are accurate, complete, and truthful.
• Certify that all information provided is honest and that you understand the requirements for submitting an end-of-year report.

Step 6: Submit Application

• Submit your completed application by the 1st of the month to be considered for that month’s review cycle. Late applications will roll over to the following month.

To maximize your chances of being approved for an FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant, it is critical to submit a well-prepared and detailed application. Use the following tips to guide your responses and avoid common mistakes.

What to Include in Your Application

• Demonstrate Financial Need
  • Clearly describe your chapter’s financial challenges, such as insufficient school budgets, loss of external funding, or limited Perkins funds.
  • Provide specific examples, like budget cuts, fully allocated Perkins funding, or lack of discretionary school funds.
  • Highlight the consequences of not receiving the grant, such as reduced participation or diminished access to leadership opportunities.
• Highlight Efforts to Secure Additional Support
  • Detail outreach to your principal, CTE Coordinator, and state adviser, and provide their responses about the availability of funding.
  • Explain why these funding sources are insufficient to cover national affiliation dues.
• Be Specific and Comprehensive
  • Use exact numbers and details wherever possible, such as total FCS enrollment or the percentage of students who will benefit from affiliation.
  • Avoid vague statements like "We need the money" and instead provide clear reasons for your request.

Common Reasons for Application Denial

• Insufficient financial need is demonstrated or the justification lacks specific examples.
• Required fields are left blank, or responses are vague and incomplete.
• The unpaid national affiliation invoice is not attached or has already been paid.
• The adviser did not confirm with the principal, CTE Coordinator, or state adviser about the availability of other funding.
• The application is submitted by someone not listed as the chapter’s Primary Adviser in the FCCLA Portal.
• Minimal effort responses, such as "We need money to affiliate," do not provide enough information for reviewers to evaluate the request.

Final Tips

• Review your application carefully before submission to ensure all questions are answered thoroughly.
• Use clear, concise language to articulate your chapter’s financial challenges and funding needs.
• Provide sufficient detail to allow reviewers to understand your chapter’s circumstances and how the grant will make a difference.

FCCLA Affiliation Support Grants operate on a monthly review cycle. Applications open annually on August 1 for the upcoming affiliation year. Chapters must submit their applications by the 1st of each month to be considered in that month’s review period. Late applications will automatically roll over to the next review cycle.

Key Deadlines for Submission

• September 1 (Round 1)
• October 1 (Round 2)
• November 1 (Round 3)
• December 1 (Round 4)
• January 1 (Round 5)
• February 1 (Round 6 – Final Round)

The February 1 deadline is the final opportunity for chapters to apply for a grant during the affiliation year. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Notification Dates

Applicants will be notified of their application status by the 15th of the same month in which their application is reviewed. For example, chapters submitting applications by December 1 will receive notification by December 15.

If Your Application is Not Approved

Chapters not approved for a grant during a given round are welcome to apply again for consideration in the next round.

How Grant Recipients Are Selected

Grant recipients are selected based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated Financial Need: The chapter must provide a clear and compelling explanation of their financial circumstances.
• Verification of Additional Support: The chapter adviser must include detailed information confirming that funding is not available from the school, CTE Coordinator, or state adviser.
• Availability of Grant Funds: Awards are contingent on the availability of funds for each grant cycle.

Chapters are encouraged to submit thorough and accurate applications to improve their chances of approval.

Chapters approved for an FCCLA Affiliation Support Grant will receive a notification by the 15th of the month confirming their grant award and outlining the approved grant amount. While the grant amount is typically based on the type selected during the application process, FCCLA reserves the right to recommend an increase if the information provided demonstrates a need for greater impact.

For example, if a chapter’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program serves 50+ students, but the chapter has applied for the Up to 25 Members Package, FCCLA may recommend that the adviser consider the Unlimited Members Package to affiliate all FCS students. In such cases, FCCLA will notify the chapter adviser, provide guidance on adjusting the application, and process the change. This is the only instance in which FCCLA will approve a change to a submitted grant application, as it aligns with the goal of maximizing the grant's impact and serving the highest number of students.

Once the grant is approved, FCCLA will process the awarded funds directly to the chapter’s affiliation invoice in the FCCLA Portal. Chapters will not receive a physical check or direct deposit. Instead, the funds will be applied to cover the national affiliation dues listed on the invoice.

State Affiliation Dues Requirement

After grant funds have been applied, FCCLA will send a confirmation email to the chapter’s Primary Adviser. At that time, the chapter is required to pay its state affiliation dues and ensure that the account reflects a $0 balance by the 15th of the month following the grant notification.

For example:

If a chapter is notified of their grant approval on December 15, the chapter must pay its state affiliation dues and submit proof of a $0 account balance by January 15.

The primary chapter adviser must submit a copy of the paid invoice through the form linked in their confirmation email.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in the cancellation of the grant payment. This ensures that grant funds are effectively used to fully affiliate chapters and, if not, can be redirected to other chapters in need.

Additional Guidance for State Dues Payments

Chapters may choose to pay their state affiliation dues while waiting for a grant decision. If doing so, they must carefully ensure that only the state portion of their invoice is paid, leaving the national affiliation dues unpaid until the grant is applied.