Early Childhood Program

The Portland Children’s Levy (PCL), a voter-approved initiative in the City of Portland, is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families by investing in services that support early development, safety, education, and stability. Since 2002, PCL has been funded through a property tax and generates approximately $23 million annually. Its current cycle runs from July 2024 through June 2029. The Early Childhood Program Grant opportunity is part of this broader initiative and is focused on supporting children from prenatal through age five within Portland city limits. This funding opportunity, part of the 2024–2029 strategic cycle, is intended to support services that foster children's healthy development and readiness for kindergarten, particularly among historically underserved communities. The program supports a range of activities including helping families understand child development and manage behavioral challenges, supporting children in expressing their emotions, and assisting families of children with disabilities, developmental delays, or neurodivergence in navigating essential services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Community-based prenatal and postnatal maternal education is also eligible for funding. However, this grant will not support preschool classroom services or preschool-age childcare due to coverage by the Preschool for All initiative. Between $11.9 million and $13.2 million will be awarded for services provided during the 36-month performance period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. Grant requests must range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $4.5 million, and applicants must propose a first-year budget of at least $100,000. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), local education agencies, or postsecondary institutions with at least $750,000 in annual revenue in their most recently closed fiscal year. Collaborative applications are permitted, but a lead agency must be identified. Applications must be submitted through the City of Portland’s WebGrants system, and registration must be completed by October 21, 2024. The final application deadline is November 4, 2024 at 11:59 PM. Two virtual pre-application information sessions are available to prospective applicants on September 19 and September 24, 2024. Questions may be directed to the PCL program office at info@portlandchildrenslevy.org, and applicants may submit queries until October 28, 2024. Proposals will be reviewed and scored by a team of community-based volunteers with experience in early childhood development, equity, and public funding. Final funding decisions will be made by PCL’s Allocation Committee, informed by input from the Community Council. All decisions are subject to final approval by the Portland City Council. Contracts for funded services will begin on July 1, 2025. PCL emphasizes programs that incorporate cultural responsiveness, language accessibility, and inclusive practices for children of all abilities. Programs that reflect community voice in their design, implementation, and evaluation are strongly encouraged. Annual performance reports will be required from all grantees, and audit requirements must be met, with partial cost reimbursement available. Through this investment, PCL aims to ensure that more Portland children meet developmental milestones and are prepared for lifelong learning and well-being.

Address a minimum of one eligible service; clearly tie design to priority services; focus on culturally responsive and inclusive practices; ensure services align with prenatal–age 5 scope.