Caregiver Supports and Opportunities for Early Learning

The William Penn Foundation (WPF), a long-standing private philanthropic organization based in Philadelphia, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) titled "Caregiver Supports and Opportunities for Early Learning." The initiative falls under the Foundation’s broader Children and Families program, which aims to enhance the developmental outcomes and academic success of young children in Philadelphia. Specifically, this RFP seeks to advance a key objective: to fund programming that provides caregiver support and early learning opportunities for 15,000 pregnant and parenting families by the year 2035. WPF recognizes the deep and multifaceted challenges many families in Philadelphia face, including persistent poverty and exposure to adverse experiences. These issues underscore the urgent need for programming that strengthens family resiliency, builds protective factors, and fosters environments conducive to healthy child development. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of two-generation approaches, where programming supports both children and caregivers with clearly articulated goals for each generation. This model is intended to yield long-term benefits for family well-being and societal outcomes more broadly. Applicants are encouraged to propose direct-service programs targeting pregnant and parenting families with children aged 0 to 8. Proposed programs must be based in Philadelphia and exclusively serve city residents. The Foundation is looking for programs that foster ongoing engagement, with at least four sessions, and that take place in physical settings such as homes, libraries, or community centers. Programs cannot be solely virtual or consist of single events like workshops. Eligible activities may include but are not limited to: intergenerational early learning experiences (e.g., STEM or literacy-based programming), caregiver peer-support groups, resource and referral systems, and interventions that increase service access and improve child outcomes. Proposals should avoid activities that fall outside the RFP scope, such as physical or behavioral health services, early intervention, and full-day childcare. The maximum requestable funding per proposal is $800,000 over a three-year period, not including overhead, which will be calculated separately. The Foundation will allocate up to $6 million in total for this RFP. Notably, the WPF encourages partnerships among organizations to leverage resources and complementary strengths. However, proposals from partners will be evaluated individually. The application process is structured and requires submission through the Foundation’s Grants Portal. All proposals are due by January 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. The process includes several key milestones: an optional webinar was held on December 17, 2025, followed by notifications for selected applicants on February 19–20, 2026, with site visits scheduled between February 20 and March 13, 2026. Final selections will be made by the Foundation’s Board on April 24, 2026, and project implementation can begin in May 2026. Each applicant must demonstrate eligibility as a 501(c)(3) public charity or be operating under one. Government entities are also eligible. The proposed projects must be free to families and demonstrate cultural and linguistic relevance, community engagement, and alignment with WPF’s objective. In addition to submitting annual learning reports, selected grantees will participate in a collaborative Learning Community to share insights, network, and build capacity across the funded cohort.

Emphasize culturally relevant programming and evidence of local demand. Avoid proposing ineligible services or virtual-only formats.