California Child Care Justice Network Grant Program

The Heising-Simons Foundation, a private philanthropic organization with a strong focus on education, science, and human rights, has launched an open call for organizations to join the California Child Care Justice Network (CCJN). Established in 2025 as a coordinated five-year initiative, CCJN is designed to advance child care justice across California by supporting systemic reform efforts that uplift children, families, and early childhood educators. The Foundation’s Education program is leading this effort by investing in organizations that align with a shared vision of a more equitable, accessible, and well-funded early learning and care system. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand the Network by supporting organizations that can contribute to key outcome goals. These goals include increasing public investment in child care, expanding access to affordable and enriching care options, and improving compensation and working conditions for the early childhood workforce. The initiative emphasizes power-building and systems-change strategies, encouraging applicants to engage in approaches such as community organizing, policy advocacy, applied research, policymaker accountability, and communications efforts that shift public narratives around child care. The Foundation expects to award up to 1,250,000 dollars in total funding through this open call. Individual grants will range from 50,000 to 200,000 dollars in total project support, distributed over a two-year performance period, equating to approximately 25,000 to 100,000 dollars per year. Funding is intended for project-based work aligned with the Network’s goals. While lobbying activities cannot be directly funded, projects that include lobbying components may still be eligible if the grant funds are not allocated to those activities and certain financial conditions are met. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or those fiscally sponsored by such entities. Applicants must have a physical address in California, although fiscal sponsors may be located outside the state if sponsoring a California-based project. Organizations currently receiving funding from the Foundation’s Education program as of April 21, 2026, are not eligible. Additionally, government entities, colleges, and universities are excluded. Projects must focus on systems-level change rather than direct service delivery or pilot programs. The application process is conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, all applicants must submit a proposal cover sheet, a detailed narrative addressing specific questions, and a project budget outlining expenses and funding sources. The narrative includes sections on organizational background, project goals, alignment with Network priorities, community engagement strategies, partnerships, and expected long-term impact. Stage 2 is reserved for top applicants, who will be invited to submit additional documentation such as financial statements and organizational budgets. The review process involves Foundation staff, an advisory committee composed of parent and provider leaders, and final approval by Foundation leadership. The application cycle opened on May 8, 2026, with a question period running from May 11 to June 12, 2026. An optional informational webinar was held on May 15, 2026. Applications are due by June 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. Following submission, applications undergo review from June 22 through September 1, 2026, with top applicants invited to advance on September 2, 2026. Final funding decisions are expected in November 2026, at which time applicants will be notified and awards publicly announced. Questions during the application period may be directed via email to cachildcarejustice@hsfoundation.org. Funded organizations are expected to actively participate in the Network, including attending two in-person convenings per year beginning in 2027, as well as engaging in ongoing virtual collaboration. These convenings will alternate between Northern and Southern California. Grantees are also expected to contribute to shared learning, strategy development, and cross-organizational alignment within the Network. This emphasis on collaboration reflects the Foundation’s belief that coordinated, community-informed efforts are essential to achieving lasting improvements in California’s child care system.

Align clearly with systems change goals emphasize collaboration and demonstrate community-driven strategies particularly engagement with parents and providers