Prenatal-to-Three Community Grant

This funding opportunity closes on May 9, 2024. 

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The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is requesting proposals from community-based organizations (CBOs) interested in providing services to improve health and educational outcomes for individuals in the prenatal-to-three years period through the City of Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT). 

The Prenatal to Three (PN-3) Community Grant investment strategy aims to support community-informed programs that reduce disparities in outcomes for pregnant individuals, infants and toddlers, and their families that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Addressing these disparities will position families to best support the healthy growth and development of their infant and toddler-aged children, thereby improving kindergarten readiness.  
 
Community-informed proposals that address obstacles contributing to these disparities include providing families access to critical resources and services, supporting healthy and equitable births, increasing parental health and wellbeing, and strengthening caregiver-child relationships.  
 
Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this webpage for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments.   

Who can apply and for how much money 

Prospective grantees must meet the following minimum qualifications:  

• Not-for-profit organizations (or fiscally sponsored by an organization) with 501(c)3 status (including community-based or faith-based organizations)
• Community organizations or collaborations that are not incorporated as a non-profit such as community collaboratives, coalitions and/or other affinity groups. Unincorporated entities must identify a fiscal sponsor that meets the requisite contracting requirements of the Department. 
• Tribes and tribal organizations
• Ability to provide services to participants that reside within the City of Seattle limits at no cost (free for participants)  

Approximately $1.49 million dollars is available for this investment for 2024-2026. Eligible entities may submit one proposal requesting a maximum of $149,000 per year for a total of $298,000 over two years. SBT Prenatal to Three Community Grant awardees funded in previous years are eligible to apply; the current 2023-2025 PN3 Community Grant awardees are not eligible.  

Types of programs that can be funded 

The PN-3 Community Grant RFP seeks proposals for the following focus areas:  

1. Healthy and Equitable Births
2. Parental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
3. Nurturing and Responsive Caregiving  

DEEL is prioritizing funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) with missions to serve expecting parents, caregivers and/or guardians of children aged birth to three within the City of Seattle with a particular interest in reaching priority populations, defined as communities of color, immigrants, refugees, people with low income, and English language learners. 

This funding is not intended to be used for services already funded by other public dollars. 

Projects that are not eligible for this funding opportunity include proposals that: 

• Provide quality supports or subsidies for licensed child care
• Focus solely on supporting general operations of an organization
• Do not have a central focus on prenatal-to-age-three
• Focus on political lobbying
• Are currently funded 2023-2025 PN3 Community Grant partners 

How applicants will be selected

Applicant organizations with the following characteristics will be prioritized for funding: 

1. Projects that advance racial equity across core areas in support of the developmental continuum starting at pregnancy and ending at three years of age, including but not limited to prenatal services, healthcare, and caregiver supports.
2. Proposals designed in partnership with priority communities.  

Each eligible grant proposal will be reviewed by a funding panel that will include members of the community, members from the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board and City staff. Proposals will be assessed through the lens of the priority criteria outlined in the RFP. The review panel will consider the proposals received and seek to fund a diverse range of project concepts and communities of focus. 

Technical assistance 

DEEL is providing the opportunity for all proposers to receive direct technical assistance (TA) in developing their proposals from experienced community-based consultants, at no cost to them. Those interested in utilizing TA can reach out directly to any of the TA providers for assistance. The main purpose of this opportunity is to increase capacity for small organizations that may not have the resources to apply for government funding. 

Technical assistance consultants can:  

1. Assist in determining appropriate fit between your proposal and this funding opportunity.
2. Provide guidance on how best to answer questions.
3. Support your proposal development, including editing.
4. Support you in explaining your proposal in the most clear and concise way. However, technical assistance consultants are not grant writers.  

View more information on the Technical Assistance consultants here. 

Timeline 

To be considered for funding, eligible applicants are invited to submit RFP applications by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on May 9, 2024. DEEL will notify successful applicants by June 20, 2024.   
 

*Dates and times are subject to change 

How to apply 

Important Update: Change in Application Process – from email submission to online application portal  

There is a significant change in the DEEL RFP application process: applications may ONLY be submitted to DEEL by using Submittable, an online application portal.   

All applicants must complete the online application via Submittable using the Online Application Link.

• New users will be required to create a free Submittable account.
• The application portal allows users to save progress on their draft applications prior to submitting. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted after the deadline. The portal automatically closes on March 20, 2024 at 11:59pm.
• Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email from Submittable after the application is submitted.
• Submittable works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported. 

Click on the links below to learn more about the application process and access the online application portal in addition to information and resources that will assist you in completing your application.     

Application Essentials  

Supporting Materials  

All materials and updates to the RFP are available on DEEL’s Funding Opportunities webpage. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the webpage for any updates, clarifications, or amendments. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the webpage for any updates, clarifications, or amendments. 

How to submit questions: 

For Questions related to the Prenatal to Three Community Grant RFP:  

• Submit questions about this RFP via email to DEELFunding@seattle.gov and include “Question: PN-3 Community Grant RFP” in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above. Please allow three (3) business days for answers to submitted questions. 

For Technical Questions related to using Submittable:  

• Check the Submitter Resource Center  
• Send questions to Submittable Customer Support and by email to DEELfunding@seattle.gov with the Subject line: Submittable Question PN-3 Community Grant RFP.  

Language Assistance 

Do you need an interpreter? Do you need documents translated? Language assistance is available! Contact DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas. 
¿Necesita un intérprete para recibir ayuda en su idioma? ¿Necesita documentos traducidos? Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas: DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ። 
ለቋንቋ እርዳታ አስተርጓሚ ይፈልጋሉ? ሰነዶች እንዲተረጐሙ ይፈልጋሉ? የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ። DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
提供语言协助。 
您需要口译员提供语言協助吗？ 您需要文件的翻譯吗？ 提供语言协助 : DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
Gargaarsi afaanii ni jira. 
Gargaarsa afaaniitiif nama afaan hiiku si barbaachisa? Sanadoota akka hiikkaman isin barbaachisa? DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
Kaalmada luqadda waa laga heli karaa. 
Ma u baahan tahay turjumaan caawimaad luqadeed? Ma u baahan tahay dukumeenti la turjumay? DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050. 
  
Có sẵn hỗ trợ bằng ngôn ngữ. 
Quý vị có cần thông dịch viên để được hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ không? Quý vị có cần dịch tài liệu không? DEELfunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.