Best Grants for Preschools

Nonprofits that are eligible for preschools grants include licensed nonprofit preschools, early childhood education centers, houses of worship, and family-focused organizations that provide pre-K learning programs. Funders may also focus their grants on early childhood education programs and teacher training in their respective communities. Many grants require applicants to be 501(c)(3) organizations and may prioritize initiatives serving low-income families and children with special needs.

Grants in preschools typically have the highest concentration of deadlines in Q1, with 28.0% of grant deadlines falling in this period. If you're planning to apply, consider prioritizing your applications around this time to maximize opportunities. Conversely, the least active period for grants in this category is Q4.

Preschool grants support early childhood education programs, teacher training, curriculum development, and facility improvements. Funders also seek to enhance school readiness and learning environments, support working families, support young children's development, and improve access to quality early learning programs. There are more than 6,000 grants available and an impressive $2.95 billion in funding available for preschools and early childhood education.

Funding for preschools grants varies widely, with award amounts ranging from a minimum of $0 to a maximum of $188,250,000. Based on Instrumentl’s data, the median grant amount for this category is $37,500, while the average grant awarded is $732,334. Understanding these funding trends can help nonprofits set realistic expectations when applying.

Of the $2.95 billion available in funding, nearly half come from private funders like the Cooke Foundation, the National Education Association Staff Organization, the James C. Stewart Charitable Foundation, and the Bell Charitable Foundation. In addition, there are many federal and state and local government funders that are providing grants for preschools and early childhood education in their respective areas.

Some of the key federal grants are from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Labor. There are also quite a bit of state-level organizations that are offering funding for Preschool grants like the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the New York State Office of Mental Health.

A carefully planned approach is needed in order to successfully win grants for preschools. To improve grant success, nonprofits should concentrate on all of these key areas:

• Align with funder priorities – Tailor proposals to match the funder’s mission and align your programs with early childhood education best practices.
• Use measurable outcomes – Highlight data that clearly quantifies measurable student outcomes.
• Build strategic partnerships – Collaborate with local schools and childcare networks.
• Develop a compelling narrative – Tell real-life stories of preschools and early childhood education programs that you have positively helped in your community.

Struggling to manage multiple grants? Learn how to stay organized with our comprehensive grant tracking spreadsheet guide.