Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education & Development

The Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education and Development is administered by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, a regional philanthropic organization based in Salina, Kansas. The fund was established by Mark and Jane Berkley with the intention of strengthening early childhood outcomes in Ottawa and Saline Counties. Their philanthropic vision is rooted in improving school readiness for young children and addressing long term societal impacts tied to early education access. The foundation itself serves as a community grantmaker, supporting local initiatives through donor advised and field of interest funds that respond to regional needs. The primary purpose of this fund is to support programs and organizations that advance the care, education, development, health, safety, and human service needs of children from birth through age six. The overarching objective is to ensure that children enter kindergarten prepared to learn, which research shows is critical for long term academic and life success. The fund prioritizes early intervention and developmental readiness, acknowledging that children who begin school behind their peers often struggle to catch up and may require additional educational support services. Funding is intended to support a wide range of programmatic activities that contribute to early childhood readiness. Eligible uses include educational programming, childcare services, developmental support initiatives, health and safety interventions, and other human service programs that directly impact children in the specified age group. Special consideration is explicitly given to organizations working with children in poverty or those facing significant barriers to learning, indicating a focus on equity and targeted support for vulnerable populations. While specific restrictions are not detailed, the fund clearly emphasizes mission aligned programming rather than general operating support unrelated to early childhood outcomes. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is geographically restricted to projects serving Ottawa County and Saline County in Kansas. The fund is intended for organizations and programs operating within these areas, suggesting that applicants are likely to be nonprofit or community based organizations delivering direct services. The fund does not explicitly list all eligible entity types, but based on the nature of community foundation grantmaking, applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear connection to early childhood services and the defined geographic region. The application process includes a letter of intent stage, which serves as an initial screening mechanism. The fund operates on a recurring cycle with two annual submission windows. The spring letter of intent period runs from February 9 through February 23, while the fall letter of intent period runs from August 1 through August 15. Applicants must submit during these windows to be considered for funding. Additional application steps beyond the letter of intent are not described, but it is implied that selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal or provide additional information. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined, but the fund’s stated priorities indicate that proposals are likely assessed based on their ability to improve kindergarten readiness, address early childhood development needs, and serve disadvantaged populations. Programs demonstrating measurable impact, alignment with early learning outcomes, and service to high need communities are likely to be more competitive. The fund also reflects a broader commitment to community well being, suggesting that sustainability and long term benefit may be considered in funding decisions. For questions or assistance, applicants are directed to contact Jessica Fuller, Director of Grants and Scholarships at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. She can be reached by phone at 785 823 1800. The foundation operates during standard business hours and provides additional support resources through its office in Salina, Kansas. The fund is recurring in nature, with biannual opportunities for submission, making it a consistent funding source for organizations focused on early childhood services in the region.

Focus on programs that improve kindergarten readiness and prioritize children facing poverty or learning barriers