Deadline: 29-Aug-2025
The Trust for Learning is requesting proposals for its Equity, Relationships and Adult Development Grant Program to strengthen ideal learning environments and policy environments.
Trust for Learning’s theory of change prioritizes impact in the learning environments supporting children’s development (prenatal – eight) as well as the larger policy environments (local, state, or federal) in which they operate. These grants are meant to support impact at either of these levels, and will focus specifically on three ideal learning principles – Equity, Relationships and Adult development— each an important tenet of the overall Principles of Ideal Learning framework, which are especially timely at this moment.
Objectives
- Address issues of inequity in publicly-funded early learning programs and systems: through targeted supports for special populations, development of policy solutions, or collective advocacy;
- Strengthen relationships among early learning educators, families, and leaders: to build a community-wide movement for ideal learning that is rooted in shared principles of quality and fosters collaboration; and/or
- Support educators to cultivate and maintain an intentional, shared ideal learning approach: that guides their everyday practice and provides an anchor to reflect on their work.
Priorities
- Priority will be given to projects that:
- address multiple grant objectives
- include partnerships between two or more existing organizations. Additionally, projects should focus on impacting ideal learning environments in publicly-funded programs.
Funding Information
- The Trust will consider proposals ranging in amount from $35,000 to $50,000 for a period of 18 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Trust welcomes applications from providers, local non-profits, national non-profits, and any other tax-exempt entities. Applicants must indicate how the principles of ideal learning align with their aspirations, goals, or current practice.
Application Requirements
- A 1-2 page narrative that describes how the strategies or programs that they are proposing address the grant areas selected (e.g., equity, relationships, adult development). This narrative must include:
- how the project impacts ideal learning environments in publicly-funded early care and education settings;
- a clear rationale for the proposed work, and the intended objective/s;
- at least one measurable goal per grant area; and
- a description of the roles and responsibilities of the intended partner (if applicable)
- An estimate of the number of children and/or educators the project will impact, including any demographic data available on race, ethnicity, language, or socioeconomic status.
- A strategy for sharing knowledge and disseminating learning with the broader field of early care and education.
For more information, visit Trust for Learning.