Best Head Start Grants in New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Education

The New Jersey Department of Education mission supports schools, educators and districts to ensure all of New Jersey's 1.4 million students have equitable access to high quality education and achieve academic excellence. Our vision is to become a model organization that strengthens teaching, leading and learning in order to increase educational equity for all students.

The New Jersey Department of Education, Office of School Facilities, works to ensure that every child attends an educational facility that is safe, healthy, and educationally enhanced. The Office also supports the delivery of the thorough and efficient education to which all students are entitled under the New Jersey State Constitution and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Universal Pre-K (UPK) Facilities Grant

The Fiscal Year 2023 annual appropriations act includes a $120 million allocation of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) dollars that were established pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) for the expansion of preschool facilities. Applications are now available in Electronic Web Enabled Grants (EWEG) System in the NJDOE Homeroom portal. 

Under the Preschool Facilities Expansion program, regular operating districts (ROD) are eligible to receive at a minimum 40 percent of approved eligible project costs. The funding percentage for a grant is based upon each district’s District Aid Percentage (DAP) multiplied by the eligible project costs established by New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Districts must be able to demonstrate local matching funds for the balance of the project costs.

The US Department of Health & Human Services announces a competitive funding opportunity for the Head Start/Early Head Start programs across various states. This initiative aims to enhance services for low-income families and children, promoting their social and economic well-being. With approximately $818.3 million available, the program seeks to expand access to quality early childhood education, thereby strengthening community stability and prosperity. Interested applicants can seek further information through the OHS Operations Center.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations serving children—especially from birth to five—and their families can seek support for early childhood programs, K–12 education, arts education, and direct social services. With a mission to strengthen opportunities for young children, Turrell Fund provides New Jersey early learning providers with funding that can also back policy and advocacy or systems-change efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Middlesex County, New Jersey that serve seniors, children’s health and education, or public health projects can apply for funding. Focused on early learning and related services, Sidney J. Harris Trust invites New Jersey education and health programs to request US $10,000 - US $20,000 grants supporting local community well-being.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, colleges, and public libraries offering family literacy programs that combine adult education, children’s education, and parent–child together time can seek up to US $10,000 for literacy services. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports early learning and family-focused literacy within 15 miles of its New Jersey stores.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families with physical, mental, educational, adaptive, or legal needs can access funding through the Dombal-Vogel Foundation. Grants support early learning, K–12 education, child welfare, and related youth services, so preschool and early childhood programs, including Head Start-style initiatives, may be eligible.

New Jersey early learning and K-3 school districts seeking support for universal literacy screening can apply for the Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners (FOCUS) grant. New Jersey education agencies can access funding through New Jersey Department of Education to adopt and implement high-quality K-3 literacy screeners that meet state Universal Literacy Screening Criteria and support learning equity and academic recovery efforts.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible public entities can seek funding for early childhood education, family empowerment, health, and environmental conservation projects that serve communities where Cox Enterprises operates. Grants from James M Cox Foundation support capital campaigns and special projects, which may benefit Head Start and other preschool or early learning programs.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing basic needs, income creation, stable housing, or community empowerment can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation to strengthen economic mobility. Grants support services like food, shelter, health, job training, and small business resiliency for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible New Jersey communities.

New Jersey Department of Health

The scope of work for the public health system is ever-expanding, and the Department is on the frontlines in leading the response to public health challenges. The Department has three primary branches – Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health. All work collaboratively toward improving health by strengthening New Jersey’s health system.

Our Mission: Protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey

Smile Strong New Jersey

Executive Summary

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Population Health Branch, Division of Health Promotion (DOHP), Oral Health Services Unit, is announcing a competitive Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2027 Smile Strong NJ. This statewide initiative is designed to improve oral health education, literacy, and access to preventive services among Head Start and Early Head Start children, school-aged children (Pre-K through 12), school nurses, school staff, parents, community organizations, parenting groups, and other vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The program also supports the delivery of preventive oral health services and facilitates the establishment of a dental home, ensuring continuity of care and access to ongoing oral healthcare services across the lifespan.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting basic needs, income creation, stable housing, or community empowerment can apply for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Stable Housing and Empowering Communities local grants. Organizations serving low- and moderate-income residents, including families, youth, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, may be eligible to support housing stability and related community development work.

The Best Life Community Awards, funded by Altra Foundation Inc, invites nominations for nonprofit organizations that have made a significant impact in their communities. Altra members can nominate eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits they support with their time, talents, or financial contributions. The selected nonprofit will receive a $10,000 grant, aimed at fostering initiatives in education, health, and community services across specific counties in the U.S. Nominate today to help recognize outstanding contributions!

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Northern New Jersey offering early learning, healthcare, or family support programs can apply for the Alfred N Sanzari Family Foundation’s grants, awarding US $500 - US $10,000 for program needs. Head Start and preschool organizations may be eligible, especially those serving disadvantaged families, women and children, or children’s health and education.

Early learning and education nonprofits in New Jersey can seek William Randolph Hearst Foundation support for large-scale programs, scholarships, capital projects, and limited general or endowment needs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with audited expenses over $2 million, especially higher education and innovative early childhood or K–12 models, may be competitive for awards over US $100,000.

U.S. nonprofit professional development providers, school districts, and colleges improving early childhood teaching for low-income children can seek up to US $500,000 over three years for large-scale workforce models. With a mission to strengthen early learning, Stranahan Foundation provides New Jersey preschool and early learning organizations with funding for coaching, leadership development, and substitute teacher pool initiatives that may benefit Head Start programs.

New Jersey 501(c)(3) charities, public entities, and qualifying colleges or foundations can access funding for early childhood and preschool education, especially STEM, as well as basic needs like housing and hunger relief. Grants from American Electric Power Foundation may also support social justice, environmental programs, healthcare, safety, and cultural enrichment for communities in AEP’s multistate service territory.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving early learning, K–12 education, or broader child and youth outcomes can apply for Comis Foundation grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $75,000. Organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Colorado, Metro Washington, D.C., or with national reach may benefit, including Head Start and preschool-focused programs in New Jersey with national scope.

The PLTW Gateway program, backed by Ardagh Group, aims to enhance educational opportunities in local communities. Over the next decade, this initiative will support over 500,000 PreK-12 students and provide exceptional training for more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in the U.S. The program focuses on fostering innovation and creativity through engaging STEM curricula, ensuring that educational resources are accessible and effective for all students.

Education providers offering early learning or K–12 programs in New Jersey can apply for the Yass Foundation for Education’s Yass Prize, which awards US $1,000,000 for innovative, student-centered models. Organizations advancing sustainable, transformational, outstanding, and permissionless education, including those serving preschool and Head Start-age children, may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, and government entities in New Jersey working on early learning, youth development, family services, or community health can apply for the Cdv5 Foundation Grant; awards support general operating, capital campaigns, or specific programs. Head Start and similar early childhood initiatives may be eligible if they align with the foundation’s priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can seek project funding for early childhood education and related youth programs, as well as arts, community, environment, science, and human services initiatives. With a mission to support children, families, and seniors, Harry Sudakoff Foundation provides US $5,000 - US $40,000, with preference for Sarasota County groups; New Jersey early learning programs may be eligible.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

The Ohio Children’s Foundation Grant aims to enhance the lives of at-risk children and families through funding for early childhood education programs. With nearly $1 million awarded in grants over three years, the Foundation supports initiatives that promote school readiness, advocate for public policies, and provide resources for parents. Prioritizing children aged 0-5, the Foundation seeks innovative programs that address early brain development and minimize toxic stress, ensuring a brighter future for vulnerable families.

The On My Way to Kindergarten Program offers essential resources to prepare children aged 3-5 for kindergarten. Developed with input from educators, it includes a bilingual activity book and online access to games, songs, and crafts in both Spanish and English. Funded by The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation, this initiative aims to empower at-risk children and their families, ensuring they have the tools needed for a successful transition into school.

Greater Salina Community Foundation

Our mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs. The Foundation achieves its mission by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their individual missions
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Promoting community philanthropy through education
• Providing affiliate services to neighboring communities
• Meeting needs through grants, scholarships, and pass-through funds

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help you take the next step in your education.

Linda K. Freeland Early Childhood Education Scholarship

For High school senior from Saline County, KS, with an intended major of early childhood education.

Applicant must submit an essay that states why they have chosen to major in early childhood education.

Renewals

• This award is not renewable.

Jacquie Porter Scholarship for Aspiring Early Childhood Teachers in Austin ISD

Aspirations of becoming an early childhood educator.

Awards

• (1) $5,000.00