Early Childhood Education – Jan 16

Posted by Stranahan Foundation on December 5, 2023

Stranahan Foundation issues RFP for efforts to increase access to high-quality early care and education for low-income children

Formed in 1994 by brothers Frank D. and Robert A. Stranahan, founders of the Champion Spark Plug Company in Toledo, Ohio, the Stranahan Foundation aims to assist individuals and groups in their efforts to become more self-sufficient and contribute to the improvement of society and the environment.

The foundation has issued a spring 2024 proposal request for its Early Childhood Education program, which aims to increase access to high-quality early care and education for low-income children (birth to five) by investing in developing and retaining a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The spring 2024 funding cycle will support organizations and projects with the potential to advance innovation and proven professional development strategies. This cycle has up to $1.1 million in funding available and is focused on soliciting proposals for the following types of projects:

Development, piloting, and refinement of new approaches: to improve knowledge, skills, or practices or grow and sustain a thriving workforce of early childhood professionals.

Expansion or modifications to a clearly defined, proven professional development model: enabling future expansion or implementation in a new childhood setting.

In this RFP cycle, the foundation is particularly interested in approaches and models designed to 1) build early childhood professionals’ knowledge, skills, and classroom practices to support children’s behavioral and social-emotional health and/or 2) grow the pipeline of high-quality educators in early childhood settings.

Applicants may request funding up to $300,000 over three years. The foundation anticipates awarding up to five grants as part of this funding cycle.

Eligible applicants include local, state, and national United States-based nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, public school districts, and higher education institutions.

Letters of intent are due January 16, 2024, at 12 noon ET. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals, due March 20, 2024, at 12 noon ET.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Stranahan Foundation website.

Deadline: January 16, 2024 at 12 noon ET (Letters of Intent)