Early Childhood Education Provider Grant Program

The Stranahan Foundation Early Childhood Education Provider funding opportunity is part of the foundation’s broader commitment to improving access to high-quality early care and education for children from birth to age five, particularly those from low-income families. The foundation focuses on strengthening the early childhood workforce by investing in systems that support educator development, recognizing that effective professional development systems are essential for improving classroom quality and child outcomes. This funding cycle specifically aligns with the Provider strategy, which emphasizes internal professional development and learning systems within early childhood organizations. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support organizations that already have established professional development systems and are seeking to strengthen a specific component of those systems. Rather than funding the creation of entirely new systems, the foundation prioritizes targeted improvements that can elevate an existing structure from functional to highly effective. These improvements may include refining career pathways, enhancing coaching and mentoring systems, improving the use of data and feedback, or embedding more practical and relevant learning opportunities into daily educator practice. Funding is intended to support activities that contribute to stronger professional development systems, including structured and ongoing learning opportunities, use of standardized assessment tools, and integration of feedback mechanisms. Allowable uses emphasize continuous improvement, alignment with educator competencies, and support for diverse learners, including multilingual children and those affected by trauma or disabilities. The funding explicitly excludes general operating support, capital projects, staff scholarships as the primary focus, and one-time incentives such as bonuses or salary increases. Organizations are expected to demonstrate how funds will directly support project activities and lead to sustained improvements beyond the grant period. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored entities, public agencies, school districts, and higher education institutions that operate early childhood programs. Applicants must have at least two years of operational experience, serve a population in which at least 60 percent of children come from low-income families, and demonstrate organizational capacity to implement and evaluate the proposed project. Organizations must not have any active grants with the foundation at the time of application. Eligible programs include childcare centers, family childcare networks, Head Start or Early Head Start programs, and Pre-K or kindergarten programs. The application process consists of multiple phases, beginning with a preliminary screening Letter of Intent, followed by a full proposal for selected applicants, and culminating in supplemental materials and a virtual site visit for finalists. The LOI requires detailed organizational information, descriptions of existing professional development systems, and a concise summary of the proposed improvement. The full application expands on this with project implementation plans, budgets, demographic data, and evaluation strategies. Finalists must also submit financial documentation and participate in a structured review process that includes interviews and clarification discussions. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, strength of the proposed improvement, use of data and feedback, organizational capacity, and plans for measuring success. Priority is given to organizations that demonstrate an understanding of equity factors such as race, language, and income, and whose leadership reflects the communities served. Applicants must also present a clear evaluation plan that includes process, formative, and outcome measures using standardized tools. The funding cycle follows a structured timeline beginning with LOI submissions due June 18, 2026, followed by notifications and subsequent application stages through the summer and fall. Final award decisions are expected in December 2026. Organizations are encouraged to engage with available support resources, including email assistance and virtual Q&A sessions, and must submit all materials through the designated online portal by the specified deadlines. This opportunity is part of an ongoing commitment by the foundation and is expected to recur annually, supporting continuous improvement in early childhood education systems.

Focus on strengthening an existing professional development system rather than creating a new one; demonstrate strong use of data and feedback; align proposal with equity priorities and measurable outcomes; show organizational readiness and capacity